~ Merrill Temmer was appointed Statutory Director on Monday. TM remains in place, and GEBE was instructed to install a crisis management team. ~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs informed the Parliament of St. Maarten on Friday that the Shareholder of NV GEBE does not support the planned disconnection that the company has slated for September 1st.
Jacobs said that since the Shareholders' meeting held last week Friday the Council of Ministers (shareholders) has dispatched a letter to inform them of the decisions taken by the Shareholder that must be executed, one being proper communication and the installation of a crisis management team to work along with the Temporary Manager Sharine Daniel.
Jacobs told parliament that NV GEBE took way too much time to communicate with the people of St. Maarten and their last communication was not acceptable. She also told parliament that the clarifications the shareholder is seeking have not yet been received including the company’s financials.
Jacobs said their recent communication from NV GEBE left a whole lot to be desired and it did not clarify sufficiently to the community, she said this was agreed upon in its shareholder's meeting on Friday. Meaning that the company would properly communicate with the people of St. Maarten. Jacobs said the recent communication took way too long to be made and when it was made it was not clear. The Prime Minister said the shareholder asked that the company make proper clarification when it comes to standing operations and clarification must also be made that all persons were not receiving their utility bills but urged that these persons pay according to bills they received prior to the hack.
The Prime Minister further explained that the SBOD also have until Monday to respond to their letter. Besides that, the Prime Minister said that the Chief Operations Officer (COO) Merrill Jimmy Temmer has been appointed as a statutory director as of Monday 22nd August 2022. Jacobs said that the screening process for Temmer has been completed and as such he was appointed. Therefore, the company no longer has an Acting Temporary Manager in place. She explained that the SBOD will appoint Daniel as the new Temporary Manager on Monday.
She explained that Temmer was appointed Temporary Manager and when he was placed on medical leave, the SBOD appointed Sharine Daniel as an ActingTemporary Manager who is no longer a temporary manager effective immediately is no longer temporary manager since the resolution for the COO has been signed off earlier this week.
Jacobs clarified that the situation regarding the management of NV GEBE is not the same since there is a statutory director in place. She further explained that Merrill Temmer is unable to execute his duties as a statutory director due to medical reasons, as such the company will appoint Sharine Daniel Temporary Manager in order to maintain continuity of the company.
Prime Minister Jacobs said that by letter to the SBOD on Wednesday morning instructing them to install a crisis management team whose task is primarily to provide stability within the organization and to guarantee the proper functioning of NV GEBE. The shareholder also instructed the SBOD to procure and investigate the events of the past months.
The Prime Minister also informed parliament that the cyber attack took place on March 16th, 2022, and not March 17th as reported by the company.
NV GEBE has misled the entire community of St. Maarten that the hack took place on March 17th, 2022.
Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs made clear that the Government of St. Maarten shares the same concerns as the population and parliament of St. Maarten. She said that the SBOD has on Monday, August 29th, 2022 to respond to their letter.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will return to Parliament on Wednesday, August 31st to provide answers to the questions that were posed by various MPs.
