~ NAF 75.6 million already on government accounts~
PHILIPSBURG: --- The government of St. Maarten has secured a loan of Naf.75.6 million to purchase three much-needed generators for NV GEBE. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced at the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday.
Mercelina also disclosed the loan conditions his government managed to secure from the Dutch government. Still, he did not divulge the conditions since he did not thoroughly discuss them with the Council of Ministers. He said the conditions were unrelated to the loan he had obtained.
The Prime Minister said that the government of St. Maarten has to repay the loan in 25 years with an interest rate of 2.43%. Mercelina said that nowhere would anyone be able to find such a low interest rate on the international market, but he managed to get that from the Dutch government.
Asked when the loan will be given to NV GEBE to purchase the much-needed generators, Mercelina explained that the government of St. Maarten is busy working on the agreement and conditions for GEBE to get the loan from the government. He clarified that conditions will be placed on GEBE to either rent or own the generators that will be purchased because the idea is to assist NV GEBE.
Appointment of Management Team
In responding to questions on the appointment team at NV GEBE, Mercelina said the company has been without a management team for over four years. He believes they can wait a bit more since the government is busy with the last phase of finalizing the legal framework for appointing persons to vacant positions, such as the CEO, CFO, and COO. The Prime Minister said he would not divulge the names of the people who will be appointed since he did not want to create confusion, and he considers the matter very sensitive. Mercelina also said that discussions with the presumed candidates have not yet started.
Mercelina made clear that his government have been dealing with NV GEBE that had a national crisis ever since he assumed office, he explained that besides getting the grid stabilized he was also busy working on securing a loan for the purchase of the much-needed generators.
The Prime Minister further explained that appointing a management team does have his attention, but that will be done now that the grid has been stabilized and the loan has been secured.
Stakeholders in discussions to lower energy costs.
Asked about the motion that the parliament of St. Maarten passed on relief for consumers, the Prime Minister said that BTP had been mandated to investigate and negotiate the cost of fuel, fuel clause, and other related costs that drive up the consumption cost.
He said BTP has done such an investigation already in Curacao, and they are busy meeting with the various stakeholders such as Seven Seas, Harbor Group, Tax Department, and GEBE to determine what each stakeholder can contribute that will be passed on to the people of St. Maarten. He said everyone must throw a little water in the wine for the people who are facing severe challenges.
Containerize Generators.
Mercelina also explained that his government along with GEBE managed to stabilize the grid and that the 10 containers that were first leased will be sent back, he did say that the rental contract was extended for one month to ensure that there were sufficient megawatts during the holiday season. Mercelina said that the 20- 1 megawatte, which is the second batch, will remain on St. Maarten since it is on a rent-to-own contract.
