That Prime Minster Luc Mercelina (General Affairs) met with the Bureau of Telecommunication and Post (BTP) and the Regulatory Authority Caribbean (RAC) about high electricity bills (see Friday/Saturday edition) shows his continued commitment to address this problem. It’s time to honour such now that energy production at utilities provider GEBE has stabilised with necessary future investments approved and the load-shedding crisis pretty much over.
Notably, neither the government-owned company nor fuel distributor Sol as key stakeholder were participants this time. However, they have been involved in prior relevant talks and – along with Port St. Maarten, the Tax Office and the Ministries of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA and of Finance – will now be consulted by the delegation that sat down with the prime minister last Thursday.
They already spoke to water producer Seven Seas, which suggests the price of not just electricity but also water is being looked at. The latter could prove important for local farmers, who recently told Parliament that irrigating their crops is very expensive.
There was an advertisement by GEBE in the same newspaper announcing its 2025 senior citizens utility relief programme. People age 65 and over were urged to sign up for a discount.
Those already in the system for 2024 need only present a recent bill and valid ID. However, new applicants must register and meet several requirements.
This is most welcome especially for the elderly, also because the general old age/widows-and-orphans AOV/AWW pension is hardly a liveable income. Moreover, many immigrants get a mere fraction of the full amount because they did not spend all their adult years in the country.
These expatriates nevertheless often stay here after retirement and try to survive on just what AOV/AWW they receive. The latter promotes poverty, because at the end of the day it concerns residents.
There is a similar issue with the senior citizens utility relief programme. To qualify one must be a GEBE customer.
However, when homes are rented landlords often keep the account in their name for whatever reasons. This is common particularly among low- and middle-income earners.
It means that even though the tenant paying the bill might normally qualify, they can’t benefit. A significant part of the target group is therefore missed.
While probably not easy, it would be good if greater inclusivity could somehow be achieved.
