PHILIPSBURG:--- The cost of living on St. Maarten is amongst one of the highest within the region and the cost of energy is one of the main proponents of that cost. A reduction of the cost of energy will result in food prices as well as many other prices on the island to drop, and thus providing the consumers a much needed relief. Every political party and all the candidates during the last campaign have promised the people some type of relief. Today, we have a golden opportunity to make good use on at least one of those promises and that should be by reducing the fuel clause on our energy bills. Many years ago we blamed the central government of the former Netherlands Antilles for everything that went wrong but who do we blame now for the issues that are not being resolved in this young nation St. Maarten?
The fact that a new government was sworn in today and a new minister has assumed the responsibility of energy is no reason for delaying the calling of this very urgent meeting. Sorry, we can't afford the minister of energy a hundred days honey moon which is customary when a new government takes office. As a matter of fact any self-respecting government, parliament and the council of ministers would gladly jump on an opportunity which has presented itself in this form to be able to provide the people of St. Maarten with the much needed relief.
It is also very important to note that NV GEBE will not lose money of any sort by introducing a 40% to 50% across the board reduction in the fuel clause. The decrease in the price of crude oil will automatically result in savings to the oil refineries. The oil refineries must pass on these savings if not in totality, partially to their users, namely companies that use heavy fuel such as NV GEBE.
The OSPP is urging the President of Parliament, Dr. Lloyd Richardson to call this meeting before December 31, 2014. The people of St. Maarten deserve relief and it should be granted to them sooner, rather than later.
We are also calling on all our residents to contact the various members of parliament and let them know how you feel about this issue on reducing the fuel clause by 40% to 50% on your next GEBE bills. The ball is in your court.
Click here to view letters sent to GEBE and President of Parliament.
