~ Water consumption breakdown and cost will increase dramatically with one billing. ~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Residents of St. Maarten are continuously complaining about the strategic way they are being robbed through the one-time water bills NV GEBE Commercial department has decided to send to their customers. Since March 17th, 2022 ransomware attacks NV GEBE commercial department has decided to combine the bills, and this is not done in the interest of the consumers.
Some of the clients that provided their bills to SMN News state that while the shareholder has removed the statutory director and former chief internal auditor in order to make things right for the investigation, however, the new Temporary Manager Troy Washington must place focus on the Commercial Department and the way they are billing consumers.
The residents that reached out to SMN News said that GEBE Commercial Department is insisting on combining five to six months' bills from March through September.
“Giving customers one bill for the entire period will not be in the interest of the consumers, in fact, the way the billing system of NV GEBE is structured will hamper the clients if the bills are lumped together. There is a fixed charge for water which is based on consumption. If a household uses 3 cubic meters of water, they are charged NAF2.50 per cubic meter, an additional 7 cubic meters will then cost them NAF 5.50 per cubic meter while anything over that amount will cost the customer NAF 6.00 per cubic meter.
If NV GEBE moves ahead with its lazy plan of lumping the bills together then the clients would end up paying NAF 6.00 per cubic meter for most of their water consumption for that period. Residents should not accept the lumping of bills because this will not work in the interest of the consumer one resident said.
The residents said that if NV GEBE wants to cut costs, then they must focus in-house and not rob the customers blindly, people are already suffering through inflation and low salaries. TM Troy Washington needs to hold those responsible that was in charge of the overbilling, estimated billing that does not work in favor of the customers, and ensure the person dealing with the SAP system is held accountable.
Suspended Employees still driving around in company vehicles.
It should be noted that since Washington took office, he has suspended four employees in order for the independent investigation to take place without hindrance. However, those employees that have been suspended are still in possession of the company’s vehicles that were purchased in 2021 and a rental that is costing the company $5,500.00 monthly. So the company is paying loans and rental fees for suspended workers to use for their personal use.
Those employees that are suspended should park the company vehicle while the fully loaded rental should be turned in until the employee remains on inactive duty.
