Philipsburg: --- Chief Executive Officer of the St. Maarten Telecommunications Service Peter Drent would be leaving St. Maarten sometime soon as his contract with the company will end at the end of September and the island government would not be renewing the contract announced leader of government William Marlin. Marlin told reporters on Thursday that TELEM board was busy recruiting the next person who would take up Drent’s position. While the selection process is not over the commissioner said, they are seriously looking at one of the candidates who may be contracted. The candidate who was not named, Marlin said can be considered a veteran in the telecommunication business. However, the island government would not be entering into any long-term contract with this person if chosen. Marlin said the island government would enter into a very flexible contract that can benefit both partners when it comes to terminating the contract within a month’s notice.
Marlin said government is taking the necessary precaution to safeguard itself from any lengthy procedures if they are not satisfied with the person’s performance.
Marlin said to date the executive council has not taken any decisions on the issue of partnering with any other company neither did they decide if shares are going to be sold. Marlin said he already indicated to the executive council to take a step back, which would give him the time he needed to put into prospective all the different opinions in order. He said the company does have a board and management but Drent was the fourth person that was hired to restructure TELEM. Marlin further explained that even though Drent is leaving shortly there is no final decision on the restructuring.