Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten.
PHILIPSBURG--More than 400 financial, operational and technical documents have been submitted by NV GEBE as part of an independent review of the utility’s billing practices and fuel clause calculations, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten announced during Wednesday’s live Council of Ministers press briefing.
The minister said the review has now moved “beyond speculation and into verification” after GEBE fully cooperated with requests from the Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP), acting in its capacity as Concession Supervisor under the Ministerial Decree.
On July 13, BTP, acting in its capacity as Concession Supervisor under the Ministerial Decree, formally issued GEBE with a comprehensive request for information. The Supervisor requested operational data, pricing information and financial records necessary to independently examine GEBE’s billing practices and fuel-clause calculations.
“I can confirm today that GEBE has cooperated fully throughout this process and has complied with the required deadlines!” Heyliger-Marten said.
According to the minister, more than 400 financial, operational and technical documents were submitted during the final week of July. These include fuel invoices, generation data, efficiency reports, financial records and other supporting documentation required to verify how electricity prices are calculated and ultimately passed on to consumers.
“This is an important milestone because it means the process has now moved beyond speculation and into verification,” she said.
Heyliger-Marten explained that financial analysts, engineers and legal experts are now examining the actual source documents, verifying individual figures and comparing GEBE’s records against relevant fuel-market information and applicable regulations. “This is precisely how good governance should work. Facts before conclusions. Evidence before opinions. Accountability before assumptions.”
The minister said the review is part of government’s efforts to establish a lawful, transparent and professionally supervised utility regulation system. “When this government assumed office, we made a commitment to establish a utility-regulation system that is lawful, transparent, professionally supervised and capable of serving this country long after any individual government has left office,” she said.
She noted that the regulatory framework envisioned in law had not been fully activated for many years and that the current government is now closing that gap by building “a regulatory framework that protects consumers through sound legislation, independent oversight and evidence-based decision-making.”
According to the minister, BTP is preparing its preliminary technical findings for presentation to the Council of Ministers sometime during the month of August.
Following that review, BTP will begin issuing structured public reports explaining its verified findings, providing greater transparency regarding the fuel clause and identifying areas where accountability and operational efficiency can be strengthened, while respecting any lawful confidentiality requirements.
Heyliger-Marten said the information gathered through the review will also assist government in finalising the National Decree containing General Measures (LBham), which will establish a permanent regulatory framework governing utility oversight, fuel-clause calculations and social-rate mechanisms designed to protect seniors and vulnerable households.
The minister stressed that she would not prejudge the outcome of the independent technical review. “I will not prejudge an independent technical review. I will not promise a predetermined outcome before the evidence has been fully examined. The people of St. Maarten deserve facts…not speculation.”
She said that if the review identifies errors, inefficiencies or practices requiring correction, those findings will guide the lawful actions government will take.
“Because responsible government is not measured by how quickly it responds. It is measured by whether it responds correctly.”
Heyliger-Marten said the review represents more than an examination of electricity bills. “The work now taking place represents more than a review of electricity bills. It represents another step toward restoring public confidence in our institutions through professionalism, transparency and accountability. That is how lasting reform is achieved.”
