Philipsburg: --- President of the Chamber of Commerce Glen Carty is sending a strong message to all persons responsible for the utility company GEBE. Carty in an interview with SMN News said he is planning to take GEBE to court since several businesses are suffering because of the constant power outages and the high prices being charged for electricity.
Carty said he plans to use article 16 of the ordinance on Electricity Concessions. Article 16 of the ordinance reads, “The entrepreneur, regardless of the surveillance by the authorities, is responsible for all damages by person or property, due to operation of his business suffered unless he proves that the damage is outside his fault or that of his subordinates they arise.
The chamber president said they are left with no choice when negotiating with businesses to drop their prices because each time the chamber enters into a negotiation they are confronted with GEBE bills. He further explained that business are already suffering from the global economic melt down and when there are constant power outages businesses without generators suffer more. He said he is aware that GEBE would be have their two new generators operational by December but wants to know if the company intends to have businesses suffer until then. “I want to know if there is no other alternative; can’t GEBE get power supply from the French side? Or can’t they bring in a barge and open our ridges to get power supply from elsewhere, these are only some of the questions I have” Carty said. Carty said he plans to wait until Monday to see if the Stakeholders would see each other and find a solution if not he is heading to court on behalf of the businesses. Carty made clear that he is not blaming anyone because he simply does not know who is responsible for the sufferings businesses and residents of St. Maarten are faced with.
In meantime, businesses are not happy with the laidback positions the chairman and commissioner of energy Theo Heyliger are taking. They said Heyliger is not dealing with the matter simply because he does not want his decisions to have political implications on his new party. SMN News has learnt that the National Alliance already indicated to Heyliger to take a decision regarding the managing director William Brooks if he is convinced that these problems arise from bad or irresponsible management.
Two Sides Chamber Plans to Address Tourism Office Issues.
In an unrelated issue, Carty said he is planning to bring the two sides tourist office together to see if they can resolve their differences and work in the best interest of St. Maarten/ St. Martin.
Carty said just recently he met with the Chamber of Commerce on the French side and the first issue they have decided to tackle is tourist office because of its importance.
Carty said the intention of the two chamber of commerce is to bring officials from both tourist offices together and hope they can resolve their problem and resume working together. He said it is unheard of that the two entities that are dealing with the island’s main source of economy are not able to communicate.
The chamber president said he is also planning to meet with the executive council where they would discuss issues related to the tourist offices outside of St. Maarten because a decision still has to be taken on how and where the stimulus would be used.
SMN News learnt that the person appointed to work at the New York Tourist Office has unearthed some information, which is cause of concern. The source said that their seem to be people who were using government funding to do things outside of marketing the island and an investigation may soon be warranted.