Dear Editor,
Kindly allow me to respond to the article of Mr. Koos Sneek which was placed in The Daily Herald of December 5, 2016 with regard to the mobile phone companies on St. Eustatius.
I find it highly unfortunate and disappointing that our elected official, in what seems an attempt solely for political purposes, would choose to present misleading information which would only serve to stir up more confusion in what is an already complicated situation. As a small island community, the public expects our officials to be uplifting and when needed constructively critical. However, this seems to be a case of criticism taking a malicious tone that only seeks to divide us as a community by creating unsubstantiated rumours. As a rule I generally try not to go back and forth in the newspaper, however, councilman Sneek’s comments leave me no choice but to respond, if for no other reason than to state the facts.
Mr. Sneek incorrectly stated that Eutel had two concessions, one which they use for each mobile carrier partner, which is not correct. Each mobile operator is issued one mobile concession, which it uses to provide service to its clients. Mr. Sneek also states that the Island Government issued a business licence to a second mobile operator, erroneously implying that the Island Government somehow did this with the intent to destroy Eutel.
Mr. Sneek, who has been involved for many years with the Business Association and Chamber of Commerce, and also served as Commissioner in the Executive Council, knows that a legitimate request of any business for a business licence must be honoured by the Island Government unless there are very significant supporting arguments to the contrary. A point he argued in the interest of several businesses over the past years.
Mr. Sneek also seems to object to the presence of Windward Island Cellular WICC (a subsidiary of UTS and the licenced mobile concession holder) who is a legally established business registered in the local Chamber of Commerce, which he also referred to as a foreign business. Mr. Sneek forgot to mention that this company, through its local partnership, has been providing the leading mobile services to its Statia Chippie clients for the last decade.
However, he does seem to want to welcome a legitimate foreign company, namely KPN under the conditions that he specifies in his article. In addition to all of this, he also fails to mention/realise that the company which he refers to as “foreign” through its partnership with Gem Enterprises, is providing employment to five “local” staff directly, and income to several other “locals” who provide services to them.
On the issue of Gem Enterprises NV (our family-owned business) for which Mr. Sneek implies that I misused my position within Government to somehow cause them to do business at the Mazinga complex. I shall not dignify these comments and insinuations with a response, as again these go to the lowest level or rumour and other false implications not expected from any responsible citizen let alone an elected member of our island council.
I assume that Mr. Sneek, who is also a business owner, is implying here that anyone serving or having served in Government should close down all business interests once in public office such as to not have any conflict of interest.
Here again he fails to inform the public that this is not the case as I am sure he is aware, more than most citizens, that there are checks and balances in place and requirements of all public officials to register and make known all business and financial activities of their own to the kingdom representative before assuming office and again when leaving office. But that aside, I welcome any inquiry in this regard should there be any doubt regarding my activities before, during or after my tenure in public service.
Any vibrant economy thrives on competition. We have seen for years the result of monopolistic companies and the effect on service to our little island. In the short time the two separate mobile operators have been engaged on Statia, we have already seen the service offering to the people of Statia improve and quality of service offering increase. I am sure this trend that will continue in the future.
The community of Statia deserves, just like any other, the right to choose. And at least with regard to mobile service now they have that choice. I think this is a moment Statian’s at home and abroad should be proud that as a small economy our people, like all others, will have the right to choose. And the spirit of competition will bring about increased service both in quality and quantity. Anyone choosing to see this as negative would leave one to wonder what their real motive and agenda is.
We look forward to be of service to the people of Statia for many years to come. We hope that the same way we were inspired by other local entrepreneurs, others will be inspired as well to start their business and provide quality products and services to the people of Statia because our community needs us all.
On behalf of Staff, Management and Clients of Gem Enterprises NV
Gerald Berkel
