~Utility Company faces massive receivables, while some push relief that could bankrupt the country's sole electricity and water provider~

PHILIPSBURG — NV GEBE is owed approximately NAf. 184.7 million as of the end of December 2025, Parliament was told Friday, raising serious questions about how far politicians, businesses and consumers can demand relief while leaving the country's only electricity and water provider carrying a massive unpaid balance.

The figure was disclosed during the continuation of Parliament's public meeting on GEBE, when Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina responded to questions regarding commercial arrears, consumer balances, and the utility's financial position. In response to questions about what is owed, the Prime Minister stated that outstanding amounts stood at NAf. 184.7 million at the end of December 2025.

The revelation comes at a time when public pressure is mounting for relief from high electricity bills, fuel clause charges, and past balances. But the same parliamentary discussion made clear that writing off arrears would not be a painless political gesture. It would create a multimillion-guilder hole at GEBE.

Relief or Bankruptcy?

One of the most pointed questions raised in Parliament was whether GEBE could simply erase outstanding arrears and allow households to restart from zero.

The answer was blunt: erasing outstanding arrears would have a multi-million-guilder negative impact on GEBE. The Prime Minister also warned that removing fuel costs entirely would be financially impossible because fuel remains the dominant cost driver of electricity generation. Eliminating the charge would not eliminate the cost; it would merely shift or hide it, leaving GEBE with an immediate funding gap.

That warning cuts to the heart of the national debate.

Consumers want relief. Politicians want to be seen fighting for relief. But GEBE cannot keep the lights on if millions in unpaid bills are treated as optional.

Who Owes GEBE?

The meeting did not provide a public list of names, nor was any individual debtor identified. However, the questions raised in Parliament made clear that the issue is not limited to small households struggling to survive.

MPs questioned commercial arrears and raised concerns about whether certain companies, entities or politically connected persons were receiving special treatment in efforts to get reconnected. Those claims were raised in Parliament, but no names of individuals or businesses were released during the meeting.

That is precisely why transparency is now essential.

If ordinary citizens are expected to enter payment arrangements or face disconnection, then the same standard must apply to politicians, well-known persons, large businesses, government-linked entities, and commercial customers.

A monopoly utility cannot survive if only the poor are expected to pay.

Payment Plans Exist

Parliament was also told that GEBE has payment arrangements in place.

For residential customers, the most common arrangement requires an upfront payment of 10 to 25 percent of the outstanding amount, with the balance payable over a maximum of 24 months. For seniors or customers who cannot afford the 10 percent upfront payment, arrangements can be based on payment capacity.

Commercial and industrial customers are generally required to pay 25 percent upfront, with the remaining balance spread over 12 to 24 months.

That means the issue is not whether people can negotiate. The issue is whether everyone is being treated equally.

No Free Ride for the Powerful

GEBE's financial problems did not appear overnight. The company is still recovering from a cyberattack, delayed billing, disputed accounts, fuel cost pressures, aging infrastructure, and years of governance instability.

But none of those changes one basic fact: electricity and water cost money to produce.

If politicians, influential persons, and business owners use their status to avoid payment, lobby for special treatment, or demand write-offs without funding the gap, then they are not defending the people. They are pushing the utility closer to collapse.

And if GEBE collapses, the burden will fall on the same people everyone claims to be protecting.

The Public Deserves the Truth

The public debate over relief must now include a harder question: how much of GEBE's crisis is caused by high fuel prices, and how much is caused by people simply not paying what they owe?

The government has said relief is possible, but only if it is lawful, financially responsible, and sustainable. Parliament was also told that tariff changes require verified cost data and that the government cannot simply impose measures that destabilize the utility.

That may not be the answer consumers want to hear, but it is the reality of running a national utility.

Publish the Categories

GEBE does not have to publish private personal information to give the country a clearer picture.

But it should disclose the categories of debt: residential, commercial, industrial, government, government-owned companies, and large delinquent accounts.

The public deserves to know whether the burden is borne by ordinary households or by large consumers hiding behind political noise.

A National Utility Cannot Run on Promises

The call for relief is real. Many families are struggling. Electricity bills are high. The fuel clause is under scrutiny. Consumers deserve transparency, fair treatment, and protection from billing errors.

But relief cannot become a slogan used to excuse non-payment by those who can afford to pay.

GEBE is a monopoly, but it is not a magic bank. It must buy fuel, maintain engines, pay workers, repair infrastructure, and keep electricity and water flowing.

If NAf. 184.7 million remains unpaid while public figures demand write-offs; then the country is not solving the GEBE crisis. It is deepening it.

The message should be clear: protect the vulnerable, investigate billing disputes, provide lawful relief where possible — but those who can pay must pay.

~Resignation of Attorney Thaisa Heymans Raises Fresh Questions about Utility's Governance Structure~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Just months after the government announced a new Supervisory Board of Directors (SBOD) for NV GEBE, one of its members has already stepped down, creating another vacancy at the utility company at a time when Parliament is demanding answers on governance, tariffs, consumer relief, and the future direction of the country's sole electricity and water provider.

Attorney-at-Law Thaisa Heymans, who was appointed to the GEBE Supervisory Board in February 2026, has submitted her resignation this week, according to information obtained by SMN News.

Her departure comes as Parliament continues to examine GEBE's governance structure during the ongoing public meeting first requested in 2025 and only now being addressed.

The resignation leaves the board operating with one less member at a critical moment for the utility company.

Prime Minister confirms additional recruitment is needed

During Friday's parliamentary session, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina confirmed that the government is actively seeking additional candidates to serve on GEBE's Supervisory Board.

The Prime Minister explained that the board appointed on February 3, 2026, was not yet at its full complement and that efforts remain underway to identify suitable candidates to fill outstanding positions.

The revelation was significant because the government had previously announced the appointment of four board members:

• Henry Ellis
• Julian Lake
• Mario Gumbs
• Attorney-at-Law Thaisa Heymans

The appointments were presented as part of the government's effort to stabilize governance at GEBE and strengthen oversight following years of controversy involving management decisions, fuel costs, financial reporting delays, and consumer complaints.

With Heymans' resignation now confirmed, the board faces an even greater need for reinforcement.

Governance challenges continue

The resignation comes at a time when GEBE is undergoing significant changes at both the board and management levels.

Friday also marked the final day for the utility's two temporary managers, both of whom have resigned after overseeing the company through one of the most challenging periods in its history.

A new temporary manager has since been appointed to guide the company through its next phase of operations.

These developments mean that both management and board oversight are undergoing transition simultaneously.

Observers note that these places increased pressure on the remaining Supervisory Board members as they navigate a series of major decisions expected in the months ahead.

Major decisions await the board

The Supervisory Board is expected to play a critical role in several key matters currently facing GEBE.

These include:

• Ongoing tariff reform discussions.
• Government's efforts to provide consumer relief.
• Procurement of new-generation equipment.
• Fuel supply negotiations.
• Completion of outstanding financial reporting requirements.
• Recruitment of a permanent statutory director.
• Implementation of recommendations from the Integrity Chamber and other governance reviews.

Parliament was also informed that GEBE still lacks a statutory director and that filling that position remains a priority. The Supervisory Board will ultimately play a central role in that recruitment process.

Questions about stability

The timing of the resignation is likely to generate new questions regarding stability within GEBE's governance structure.

The government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of competency-based appointments and strong oversight as the utility works to rebuild public confidence.

However, the departure of one of the board members only four months after appointment raises concerns about continuity at a company already dealing with leadership changes, financial challenges, and mounting public scrutiny.

The Prime Minister told Parliament that the government remains committed to strengthening governance at GEBE and recruiting qualified individuals to fill outstanding positions.

Consumers watching closely

For many consumers, governance issues may seem removed from everyday concerns about electricity bills and fuel-clause charges.

Yet decisions made by the Supervisory Board directly affect the policies, investments, and management actions that ultimately shape service delivery and utility costs.

With public frustration growing and Consumer Protection St. Maarten (ACP-SXM) organizing demonstrations over electricity prices and consumer rights, confidence in the utility's leadership remains under intense scrutiny.

The resignation of Attorney Thaisa Heymans therefore represents more than a simple board change. It highlights the continuing challenge of building a stable governance structure at a company that remains at the center of one of the country's most pressing national issues.

As the government begins the search for another board member, attention will now focus on who fills the vacancy and whether the Supervisory Board can provide the continuity needed to guide GEBE through a period of significant transition.

~Long-delayed meeting adjourned after dozens of questions remain unanswered; relief measures still dependent on information government says it has yet to receive~

PHILIPSBURG:---  A parliamentary meeting on NV GEBE, first requested in 2025, ended Friday without a conclusion after Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina acknowledged that numerous questions from Members of Parliament remained unanswered, forcing the session to be adjourned and to be continued at a later date.

The unusual ending came after hours of discussion on utility tariffs, consumer relief, fuel costs, financial reporting, and governance issues.

As the meeting progressed, several Members of Parliament, including MP Ardwell Irion and MP Egbert Doran, challenged the Prime Minister's responses, arguing that many of their questions had been either generalized, grouped together, or left unaddressed.

By the end of the session, the Prime Minister acknowledged that additional work was needed and requested time to provide complete answers.

The result was a parliamentary meeting nearly a year in the making that ended with lawmakers still waiting for many of the responses they originally requested.

Government says relief depends on data it still doesn't have

One of the most significant revelations during the debate concerned the ongoing effort to provide relief to electricity consumers.

For months, residents have demanded answers about high electricity bills, fuel clause charges, and the absence of meaningful reductions in utility costs.

However, Mercelina told Parliament that the government remains constrained by law.

According to the Prime Minister, Article 12.4 of the Electricity Concession Ordinance requires any tariff adjustment to be based on verified cost-oriented data provided by the concession holder, NV GEBE. Without that information, the government cannot legally establish or alter tariffs.

The Prime Minister said this was precisely why the government activated the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post (BTP) as a supervisory authority.

"The supervisor now has the authority to obtain the verified operational and financial data that GEBE has not provided before," Mercelina stated.

The admission raises a troubling question: if the government still requires verified information before it can legally intervene in tariff structures, how soon can consumers realistically expect relief?

Decades-Old Formula Under Review

Another revelation involved the controversial 8.5 percent loss factor that forms part of GEBE's fuel clause calculations.

According to figures presented by the Prime Minister, actual non-revenue electricity losses have remained below 8.5 percent for years. The government reported losses of 6.4 percent in 2019, 6.7 percent in 2020, 5.9 percent in both 2021 and 2022, 6.5 percent in 2023, 7.3 percent in 2024, and 7.6 percent in 2025.

Mercelina said the 8.5 percent factor has reportedly remained unchanged in tariff calculations for at least 35 years.

The Prime Minister indicated that the figure may now be subject to review as part of the ongoing tariff study.

For consumers questioning fuel clause charges, the disclosure is likely to intensify calls for greater scrutiny of how electricity costs are calculated.

Financial Recovery Continues

The Prime Minister also provided updates on GEBE's financial position.

According to Mercelina, the utility recorded a loss of approximately NAf. 24.1 million in 2025, largely due to lower gross margins, increased maintenance expenses and provisions for doubtful receivables.

Despite those losses, GEBE is projecting a return to profitability in 2026 with an estimated profit of NAf. 4.5 million.

The utility's annual operational budget currently stands at approximately NAf. 121.2 million.

At the same time, outstanding payables at the end of 2025 totaled NAf. 184.7 million, underscoring the scale of the financial challenges still confronting the company.

Audit Progress after Years of Delays

Parliament was also informed that GEBE's long-delayed financial statements are finally moving toward completion.

The 2020 through 2022 financial statements have been finalized but received disclaimer opinions from auditors due to the impact of the cyberattack on financial records and operational systems.

The 2023 financial statements, however, received an unqualified audit opinion and are now available, while the 2024 statements are being finalized.

The development marks an important milestone in GEBE's efforts to restore financial reporting credibility after years of disruption.

Millions paid through the concession system

The Prime Minister also disclosed that GEBE's concession fee has steadily increased since 2010 and now stands at approximately NAf. 7.9 million annually.

Between 2018 and 2025 alone, concession fees totaled more than NAf. 54 million. However, the government explained that these amounts were largely offset against government utility consumption through a balancing arrangement rather than paid as direct cash transfers.

More Questions than Answers

Perhaps the most striking moment of the day came not from the answers provided but from those that were missing.

After MPs challenged the completeness of the Prime Minister's responses, Mercelina conceded that a misunderstanding had occurred regarding several sets of parliamentary questions and pledged to return with additional answers.

Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams subsequently adjourned the meeting, noting that Parliament could not proceed to clarifications or a second round of debate until all questions had been properly addressed.

For consumers hoping the long-awaited meeting would finally deliver definitive answers on tariffs, relief and electricity costs, Friday's proceedings ended much the same way they began: with many questions still unresolved and another continuation meeting now required.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Department of Communication (DCOMM) will be broadcasting national Flag Day messages in commemoration of the 41st Anniversary of Flag Day via its mediums from the Minister of Culture, Melissa Gumbs, Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina, and the President of Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams.

The nation can tune in at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 13, 2026, to the Government Radio Station – SXMGOV 107.9 FM, via Facebook @SXMGOV Facebook Page, and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@GovernmentofSintMaarten

The Sint Maarten Flag was designed by Roselle Richardson 40 years ago, presented by Dr. Claude Wathey, and approved and established by the members of the Island Council on June 13th, 1985.

The National Flag of Sint Maarten is a symbol of honor and pride for all Sint Maarteners at home and abroad.

The Sint Maarten Flag remains an integral part of the fabric of the historical and cultural heritage of the nation.

Individuals and businesses across the country are called upon to show their pride and patriotism by decorating and flying the Sint Maarten Flag on their vehicles, businesses, and buildings or other places deemed appropriate.

People are also reminded to follow proper protocol and etiquette when displaying the Sint Maarten Flag.