GREAT BAY--The Association for Consumer Protection St. Maarten, ACP-SXM, has informed the public that the original response deadline set out in its Formal Demand for Corrective Action to NV GEBE, dated June 15, 2026, expires today, Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
ACP-SXM said that in an email dated June 19, 2026, NV GEBE acknowledged that it would not be in a position to meet the deadline, but committed to providing a formal response during the course of this week. Based on that communication, ACP-SXM said it has granted NV GEBE a final extension until the end of business on Friday, June 26, 2026.
ACP-SXM stated that no further extensions will be granted.
On June 15, 2026, ACP-SXM delivered a Formal Demand to NV GEBE’s Supervisory Board and management containing nine specific demands on behalf of St. Maarten consumers. According to the organization, those demands included the immediate reversal of what ACP-SXM described as an unauthorized and retroactively applied fuel clause increase, the immediate suspension of residential utility disconnections and reconnection of affected households, and full transparency and accountability regarding the US $6.9 million consumer overcharge documented in the 2022-2024 RAC/BTP Tariff Evaluation Report.
ACP-SXM said the deadline for NV GEBE to designate a point of contact, confirm a proposed meeting date and confirm attendees was Wednesday, June 18, 2026. The organization said that deadline passed without substantive compliance.
On June 19, 2026, ACP-SXM said NV GEBE’s Temporary Manager, Ms. Iris Arrindell, communicated by email that the company was not in a position to meet the stipulated deadline. According to ACP-SXM, NV GEBE cited the need for additional time to conduct a thorough assessment and consult with relevant stakeholders.
NV GEBE indicated that it intended to provide an official response during the week commencing June 22, 2026. ACP-SXM said it took note of that communication and, without waiving any of its rights or demands, granted NV GEBE until the end of business on Friday, June 26, 2026, to provide its response.
ACP-SXM noted that June 24, 2026, marks the expiry of the original final deadline as set out in its June 15 letter.
The consumer organization also raised concerns about statements reportedly made by NV GEBE during a public media conference held on Friday, June 19, 2026, the same date as the company’s email to ACP-SXM.
According to public reporting cited by ACP-SXM, GEBE representatives stated that Demands 1 and 2 of ACP-SXM’s Formal Demand, namely the reversal of the fuel clause and the halt on residential disconnections, could not and, or would not be implemented.
ACP-SXM said it views this as contradictory. The organization stated that NV GEBE cannot request more time to conduct a thorough review while publicly pre-empting that review by announcing its refusal to act on what ACP-SXM called the most urgent consumer-protective measures.
By Friday, June 26, 2026, ACP-SXM is requiring NV GEBE to provide, through its legal counsel or an authorized management representative, a full written and substantive response.
ACP-SXM said the response must specifically address NV GEBE’s clear and complete position on each of the nine formal demands, including the legal and factual basis for any claimed inability to comply.
ACP-SXM is also requiring a written account of exactly what was stated at the June 19, 2026 media conference regarding its demands. The organization said NV GEBE must confirm or deny whether it was publicly announced that Demands 1 and 2 will not be implemented.
Additionally, ACP-SXM is asking NV GEBE to identify any immediate or interim measures already taken or approved in response to the concerns raised.
ACP-SXM stated that if a substantive written response is not received by June 26, 2026, it expressly reserves all rights to pursue legal, regulatory, administrative and public-interest remedies without further notice.
The organization said it remains committed to constructive, good-faith dialogue in the interest of consumers and residents of St. Maarten. ACP-SXM said it continues to call on NV GEBE to engage with the seriousness and urgency that the matters require.
“Consumers deserve answers, not media conferences,” ACP-SXM stated.
ACP-SXM encouraged residents who have been disconnected, overcharged, or otherwise affected by NV GEBE’s billing and tariff practices to document their situations and contact the organization atinfo@acpsxm.com.
