Graph showing the trend in electricity and water bills since January 2021.

Dear Editor,

In March 2022, St. Maarten's utility company GEBE fell victim to a devastating cyberattack that resulted in the loss of all its billing information. The consequences of this breach have been far-reaching, exposing a web of nepotism and favoritism within the company, which has left us, the citizens, grappling with confusion and soaring bills.

The graph illustrates the alarming trend in electricity bills since January 2021, with the red trend line showing a steep increase over the years. As a consumer, I have noticed my electricity bill rarely exceeding 100 guilders. However, post-hack, there have been five months where it surpassed this threshold, raising suspicions that the company is attempting to recoup its costs at the expense of consumers. Pair that with no usage corroborating these increased charges and you have a recipe for discontent! This lack of accountability, combined with lackluster leadership that turns a blind eye to rectifying past wrongs, fosters a culture of underperformance without real consequences - a cycle that must end! Wake up St. Maarten! The inefficiencies are hitting us where it hurts, our pockets!

The roots of this crisis lie in the practice of appointing friends and family to influential positions, despite their lack of qualifications and aptitude for the roles. From senior management roles to supervisory boards, individuals with questionable qualifications were entrusted with important responsibilities. This nepotism and favoritism fostered an environment where accountability and transparency were thrown to the wind.

The aftermath of the hack has been a nightmare for the people of St. Maarten. We have been receiving exorbitant bills, leaving us puzzled and struggling to comprehend the sudden surge in costs. Many are left with no choice but to endure the difficult process of disputing charges, an annoying task that should not have been necessary.

Furthermore, the lack of transparency and accountability within the current NA/UP government coalition has only exacerbated the crisis. The absence of clear communication from the authorities has left us feeling uninformed and unheard, adding to the frustration and anger.

The situation at GEBE serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change in our government and institutions. We, the people of St. Maarten, deserve leadership that prioritizes competence, accountability, and the welfare of its citizens. It is time for us to elect representatives who will work diligently to rebuild trust and put an end to the detrimental practice of nepotism and favoritism.

As the next elections approach, the call for change resonates louder than ever. We must demand leaders who will prioritize the interests of the people over personal connections, leaders who will uphold transparency and ensure accountability at every level of governance.

The GEBE hacking scandal is a wake-up call, urging us to forge a new path towards a brighter future. It is an opportunity to elect leaders who will bring back integrity, competency, and a commitment to serve the people. Together, we can build a St. Maarten where transparency, accountability, and genuine leadership prevail, leaving nepotism and favoritism in the past.

The time for change is now, and it is in our hands to shape the future we desire for our beloved island.

David Salomon

Dear Editor,

Trinidad Minister of Finance Colm Imbert said the Caricom Heads of Government Summit cost approximately $9 million and he said in a nutshell that if he had to wait for the approvals under the law they could not have hosted it. He has started to defend the Government’s decision to permit a three-month exemption governed by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Procurement Act, 2015.

Minister Imbert stated that he did not act alone in circumventing the current procurement legislation process, that he acted under cabinet approval and the attorney general’s advice. However, one must ask if this law is in place, passed in parliament and approved already, why bypass your own law to expedite the Caricom Heads of Government Summit’s cost without proper procedures of a law his own Government has proclaimed

On Sunday last week, MP Saddam Hosein called on Imbert for an explanation on this three-month Order which he used for the exemption from the procurement law, the provision of services for events associated with visits by these Caricom heads. Furthermore, Hosein is stating that it’s illegal since it lacks Parliamentary approvals. One must ask why the matter was not taken to Parliament ahead of time and although the media did ask these questions, Imbert's response was very feeble, insisting that not “every time you are presented with a difficult situation, that you would convene Parliament.”

Now after he has broken proper procedure he is claiming there is a need for “a properly thought-out amendment to allow the Government to deal with unforeseen events” which will take some time. How come now? After it was already approved and proclaimed in parliament and took eight years to get it approved?

Further, as MP Saddam Hosein implied, does it have some nefarious intentions to use this excuse to get funding and use it for the upcoming Local Government Elections, so there will be no accountability here as well?

Minister Imbert did not give any breakdown of the cost for the entertainment, the security for dignitaries or the cost of hosting the event at the Hyatt, the cost of meals and refreshments for all the guests and many other expenses that I can’t think of at the moment.

The question is not only about the summit, it’s the method used to fund the summit and bypassing a law that has been approved by this Government. To continue to pull the wool over the population’s eye, he did not give any information on if Caricom contributed as well and if so, by how much. He gave no breakdown on what was Trinidad and Tobago’s contribution to Caricom for the summit.

The intention of this law cannot be to ultimately allow the minister to make exemptions without parliamentary oversight, which has occurred here. Now, less than three months after the Procurement Act was passed, Finance Minister Colm Imbert is backtracking and stating there is a need to amend the legislation, which took eight years to enact. What a deception! The law is to ensure that our scarce public money is safeguarded especially from Ministers or Governments that can spend on contracts where they can somehow receive benefits in some way through family or friends that the public is not aware of. The act was long-overdue to protect the interests of all citizens and should not be bypassed in this way.

There seems to be more in the mortar than the pestle in this one and someone is putting pepper in our rice.

Dr. Neil Gosine

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Neil Gosine is an insurance executive. He is also the treasurer of the United National Congress and a former chairman of the National Petroleum Marketing Company of Trinidad and Tobago. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration MBA, BSC in Mathematics and a BA in Administrative Studies.

Dear Editor,

When the driver of a motor vehicle enters a roundabout and is driving over both lanes at the same time (over the division line) and as he is ready to exit the roundabout encounters a pedestrian crossing the street via the by sign indicated pedestrian crossing, who instead of stopping to let the pedestrian cross, and instead of stopping for the pedestrian, goes by the pedestrian and continues his way, is that responsible driving?

When two motor vehicles approaching the roundabout from different roads at the same time and the driver of the motor vehicle coming from the road on the left increases his speed and blows loudly at the other driver for not yielding right of way to him, what is that driver thinking?

When those motorbike riders continuously demonstrate disregard for the traffic rules by their reckless behaviour in traffic, what maturity and sense of responsibility can anyone expect of them?

When the driver of a motor vehicle, suddenly decides to drive completely to his left of the road, stops his motor vehicle on the road in front of a snack truck, gets out of the car in front of the snack truck to collect a drink and then gets back into the car and drives back to the right of the road, completely disregarding the traffic rules while disrupting the traffic, who is responsible for that?

My father used to tell me in the beginning when I started to work and explained to him that some of my school mates were acting strange when we met socially. "My son, people, who don't like themselves are the ones who don't appreciate the police". He would say, "If I know that the police is the person (entity) paid to be vigilant of and authorised to correct negative behavior of individuals. as well as the community in general, why should I do wrong and not expect the police to do what they are paid to do? The saying "one cannot be wrong and strong" is in place here.

By the way, even though a few days late, I would like to give kudos to MP George Panthophlet for his response to Robbie Ferron's last published letter to you reacting to MP Panthophlet's letter in which he suggested that the loan be turned into a grant. My father would say "If you can't say anything uplifting, don't say anything" So, I will leave it there.

Being vigilant was what I did for more than forty-one years, so I am aware of changes. I suddenly got what should be an itemised receipt for my goods at the place where I shopped. At the least, I must admit that my writing to you met with a response, yes, but I made it my business as we would say and checked to see if the other shoppers received a receipt and that was not the case. I cannot determine why not, but I would like for the permitholder of that place of business to do what has to be done in a correct way, otherwise, I will find myself writing again. I do not only shop at one place, so I should not have to get the feeling that they have to make sure to give me a receipt. Everybody should get an itemised receipt.

Let me bring this to the attention of who is involved. Before all of these different government departments were manned by civil servants, the police used to do all the controlling. So, I believe I know something about the ins and outs of the laws of the land. I continue to complain about civics not being taught in school, exactly because of this kind of not-so-nice behaviour of those involved.

Those who desire to live honestly, who want their lives to display faithfulness and authenticity, make choices based on what is true, rather than what is expedient. And I must add that the integrity of the upright leads them. Growing up, I served the altar (altar boy) since I was seven years old. Because of my job I stopped when I was twenty-two. During that period, I served at many funerals and I have attended many funerals, but I cannot remember ever seeing money or anything valuable in anyone's casket.

I am also still waiting to see what a money-sandwich looks like.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

It was brought to my attention a couple of days ago that an article was published entitled “Negative for the image of St. Maarten”. The author being Mr. Robby Ferron. I believe he was commenting on article I wrote on debt cancellation. Had I seen it earlier I would have remarked sooner.

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and that is a given. I do maintain that the best thing for the Netherlands to do is to cancel the entire debt, not only that of the liquidity support but also prior loans. Although I would have liked to be the author of said statement, it was the International Monetary Fund that said, and I paraphrase, St. Maarten should not be given any more loans but these should be turned into donations or grants.

Mr Ferron also stated that every other developing country globally would like to have their debt forgiven. It would be interesting to know who coined the phrase developing country. I guess he meant colonized countries.

I will at present not go into any specific detail as to what he meant by his statement, and I quote, “When an MP of St. Maarten makes such a suggestion it might make sense to those whose economic thinking is simplistic. It is, however, highly negative for the image of the country” end of quote.

I will suffice by saying the following: I am happy to be placed in the category of one of the greatest leaders that graced this planet, the late President of Cuba Mr. Fidel Castro. He was very simplistic in his request when in 1985 he said, and I quote, “We realize that in the final analysis the watchword of debt cancellation was valid for all the countries of the third World” end of quote.

Another statement attributed to Mr. Ferron is that of developing countries being financed by rich countries. I think he meant the colonizers. One should not ignore the fact on how these countries became rich in the first place, the facts are glaring, or might I add, the evidence?

And if you look at the organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, these are controlled by Europe and the United States of America. I will not even go into organizations such as the “Paris Club”.

It is unfortunate that one chooses to justify the injustices of these countries and the manner in which they enriched themselves. The Slave Trade for one, (The French Colonial Tax) (The Berlin Conference) just to name a few.

The issue of the development goals just to name a few; 1. Eradication of poverty, 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, 3. Good health and well-being. (Source google.) Apparently It was first started in the year 2000 as the Millennium Development Goals now the Development Goals. The target date was first 2015 and now 2030 to eradicate the 3 points I mentioned earlier. But as long as the attitude towards the so called Developing Countries does not change I don’t think any progress in achieving the stipulated goals will be made, they will keep moving the goal post and soon we will hear that the year 2060 is set as a target date.

If these G7 or G20 are serious about helping to clean up the mess that they made in these countries they should start with debt cancellation. I am a firm believer that if we can work together, if we can get the support of the masses it can be achieved. To support this statement, let me finally close with a quote from the late President of Cuba Mr. Fidel Castro, “If this struggle continues, if the masses become aware, if each citizen of our countries understands the problem and the possibility of attaining a favorable solution – because a single government cannot wage a struggle – then they could be influenced in their decision to meet and adopt a policy and preliminary consensus.

In other words, we have to come together to get the job done.

George Pantophlet

Member of Parliament