PHILIPSBURG:--- An estimated 500 residents, joined by politicians, union representatives, community leaders, and concerned consumers, took to the streets on Monday in a powerful show of public frustration over electricity and water bills, fuel clause charges, and utility disconnections imposed by NV GEBE.

The march, organized by the Association for Consumer Protection (ACP), culminated at GEBE's headquarters, where ACP President Peggy Ann Dros-Richardson delivered a strong message to the utility company and informed supporters that GEBE has been given seven business days to respond to a list of nine demands presented on behalf of consumers.

The massive turnout signaled growing dissatisfaction among residents who say they have been burdened by rising utility costs, inconsistent billing, and a lack of transparency regarding the controversial fuel clause.

Speaking to the crowd following a meeting with GEBE officials, Dros-Richardson said ACP was not interested in endless discussions that failed to produce results.

"This country sometimes has us spinning in a wash cycle of talking, discussion after discussion, with no deadline set and no resolution in sight," she told supporters. "On behalf of the Association for Consumer Protection, I am saying this will not occur."

Dros-Richardson warned that if GEBE fails to provide what ACP considers a reasonable resolution within seven business days, the organization is prepared to seek legal action.

"This isn't about GEBE. This is about consumer rights. Today it is GEBE, tomorrow it can be another institution. We are standing up for the people of this country."

ACP presented nine demands to the utility company, two of which the organization considers immediate and non-negotiable.

The first demand calls for the immediate reversal of what ACP describes as the unauthorized and unlawful retroactive application of the fuel clause. The second requires GEBE to suspend all residential utility disconnections and reconnect households that have already been disconnected.

"I have made it clear to NV GEBE that those two points are non-negotiable," Dros-Richardson stated.

The remaining demands seek greater transparency regarding tariff calculations and fuel clause methodology, an independent audit of billing practices dating back to the March 2022 cyberattack, the publication of a customer service policy, compensation for consumers who may have been improperly charged, and stronger protections for vulnerable groups including seniors, low-income families, persons with disabilities, medically dependent residents, and households with children.

ACP is also demanding full cooperation with regulatory and oversight bodies, as well as the publication of a clear infrastructure and service reliability plan to improve electricity and water services. The organization further called on GEBE to invest more aggressively in renewable energy solutions to reduce long-term costs for consumers.

Receiving the ACP delegation was Temporary Manager Iris Arrindell, who acknowledged the growing frustration among residents and the widening divide between the utility company and the public.

"We understand that you are frustrated," Arrindell told the gathering. "There is really a gap between us and the people."

Arrindell assured the crowd that GEBE intends to engage with ACP representatives and review the concerns presented.

"Never believe for one moment that we ourselves don't want this situation fixed. The quicker we get this fixed, the quicker we can gain your trust back and move on together as a company," she said.

While the demonstration highlighted widespread public dissatisfaction with GEBE's billing practices and customer service, the utility company is simultaneously facing a severe financial challenge of its own.

Recent disclosures indicate that approximately NAf. 184.7 million is currently owed to NV GEBE in unpaid electricity and water bills. The staggering figure has fueled concerns among policymakers and financial experts who warn that the utility's long-term sustainability is being threatened by mounting arrears and a growing culture of non-payment.

The issue has become increasingly controversial as some residents and interest groups have called for debt forgiveness or write-offs. However, critics argue that such measures would place an even greater burden on an already struggling utility and ultimately shift costs onto paying customers and taxpayers.

Many observers note that while consumers have legitimate concerns about billing accuracy, fuel-clause increases, and service reliability, the reality is that electricity and water services cannot be maintained if large numbers of customers simply stop paying their bills in the expectation that debts will eventually be written off.

Monday's demonstration therefore highlighted two competing realities facing Sint Maarten. On one hand, consumers are demanding transparency, accountability, and relief from what they believe are unfair charges. On the other hand, GEBE must recover millions in outstanding payments while rebuilding public confidence and maintaining essential services.

As ACP's seven-business-day deadline begins to count down, attention will now turn to whether GEBE responds to the organization's demands or whether the dispute escalates into a legal battle.

What was evident on Monday is that nearly 1,000 residents made their voices heard, sending a clear message that public patience has run out and that consumers expect answers, accountability, and action.

Pond Island:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Maarten, today extended warm congratulations to Ms. Iris Arrindell on her appointment as Temporary Manager of NV GEBE, describing the appointment as “an important step toward restoring stability, transparency and public confidence in GEBE.”
“I wish Ms. Arrindell strength and success as she takes on this critical responsibility,” the Minister stated. “Her appointment is a breath of fresh air and comes at a pivotal moment, and I look forward to constructive cooperation as we work to bring clarity, accountability and relief to the people of St. Maarten.”
Minister Heyliger-Marten also reiterated her earlier public position regarding the recent increase in the fuel clause, which she previously condemned as unjustified and unsupported by transparent data.
“My position has not changed,” she emphasized. “Any adjustment to the fuel clause must be based on verified information and lawful procedures. That is why I initiated the Supervisor Mechanism under the Electricity Concession Ordinance to ensure that, for the first time, the Government receives full transparency into GEBE’s calculations.”
The Minister confirmed that BTP, in its role as Supervisor, has already held meetings with GEBE and that the company is now providing information that has never been submitted in full compliance with the Concession.
“For the first time in our history, the Government will be receiving the data needed to independently verify the fuel clause,’ she said. “This is the direct result of the formal oversight actions we have taken using the legal tools available to Government.”
When asked about the recent departure of former Temporary Manager Thomas Roggendorf, the Minister responded: “My focus has always been on compliance with the law and protection of the people. The Supervisor mechanism sent a clear message that the days of operating without full transparency are over. The country deserves accountability, and I will continue to use every legal instrument available to ensure it; it came as no surprise that he resigned.”
The Minister also addressed the growing public interest in GEBE’s operations, including the Association for Consumer Protection's recent activities. “Public engagement is healthy for our democracy,” she noted. “I welcome every voice that advocates for fairness and transparency in a respectable manner. At the same time, it is the Government that carries the legal responsibility to act, and we are acting.” Earlier this year, after the new Supervisory Board was installed, Minister Heyliger-Marten initiated the concession compliance process.
The Minister noted that historically, fuel clause levels were similar in 2022, yet no structural reforms were undertaken at that time. “The public deserves more than temporary relief,” she said. “They deserve a system that is transparent, predictable, and fair. That is why this Government is taking a fundamentally different approach, one that addresses the root causes, not just the symptoms.”
She reaffirmed that renewable energy is a sustainable path to long-term affordability. “We cannot continue relying only on fossil fuels,” she stated. “Renewable energy is not optional; it is essential for our economic future and for lowering the cost of living.”
She added that the Government will evaluate the future of GEBE’s concession. “If the concession must be rewritten to guarantee that St. Maarten finally realizes an energy transition, then that is the direction we will take,” the Minister declared. “The people of St. Maarten deserve nothing less.”
The Minister noted that the existing concession already contains clear, legally binding obligations on renewable energy that were never enforced. Article 14 of the concession explicitly requires GEBE to “strive toward a yearly increase in the use of sustainable energy” and to ensure that at least 2% of all electricity delivered to consumers by 2015 would come from renewable sources. It also requires GEBE to incorporate renewable energy development into its mandatory five-year rolling multi-year plans.
“These obligations have been in the concession since 2010,” the Minister emphasized. “Yet no government ever held GEBE accountable to them. No multi-year plans as outlined in the concession were approved, no renewable energy targets were enforced, and no structural oversight was applied. That is how we ended up where we are today, with no transparency and a fuel clause that keeps our people vulnerable to global oil prices.”
She continued: "That era is over. As Minister, I will not allow these obligations to be ignored any longer. The concession makes renewable energy a legal duty, not an optional aspiration, and GEBE is required to meet it. If GEBE cannot fulfill these obligations, then the concession will be rewritten, because one way or another, St. Maarten must realize our energy transition.”

In closing, the Minister stated, “To the people of St. Maarten, I hear you, I stand with you, and I am using every legal tool available to protect our interests. This is the beginning of a new chapter for GEBE, one built on transparency, compliance and a clear path toward renewable energy and lower electricity costs.”

The Oranje Fonds puts organizations that tackle poverty in the spotlight 

The Oranje Fonds has selected this year’s nominees for the Appeltje van Oranje award. Each year, the Fund presents these awards to three social organizations in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. This year’s theme is ‘Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Together’. The Appeltjes will be presented by Queen Máxima to three winners on Thursday, October 8th. The Caribbean nominees are Trampolin pa Trabao (Aruba) and Mega D Youth Foundation (St Eustatius). The other eight nominees are:

• Stichting Nu De Toekomst - Wageningen 
• Stichting Social Klus - Roosendaal 
• Armoedecoalitie – Utrecht 
• Get a Grip – Humanitas Eindhoven 
• Thuis in West – Krachtgezin Rotterdam 
• Stichting Doors Wide Open – Goor 
• Stek – Buurt en Lukas Den Haag 
• Stichting Spaarkracht (landelijk) 

Ten-day voting period and pitch day 

Fifty organizations were in the running for one of the ten nominations. The public decided on the first nominee during the ten-day online voting period in May. This was Stichting Social Klus, which received 3,400 votes out of over 40,000. The remaining contenders gathered in Curaçao and Groenekan during the pitch days. They presented their projects to each other and to a jury. The jury in Curaçao consisted of Etienne Ys (former politician), Glenn Thodé (board member of the Oranje Fonds), and Pablo Aguirre (staff member of the Oranje Fonds).  

Breaking the cycle of poverty together 

Poverty is a persistent problem in the Caribbean. Its impact is significant, affecting health, opportunities, and the ability to participate in society. One in three people in the Caribbean lives in poverty. Existing poverty policies are often complicated or insufficient, leaving people unable to find the support they need. Social initiatives are therefore essential in reducing and preventing poverty. They are close to the people, have their trust, and offer the support that people need. 

For this edition of the Appeltjes van Oranje awards, the Oranje Fonds is looking for organizations that help break the cycle of poverty and debt in a sustainable way. These are organizations that empower people with knowledge and skills. An important criterion for candidate nomination is that the organizations aim to prevent or reduce poverty. 

The Appeltjes van Oranje 

With the Appeltjes van Oranje, the Oranje Fonds honors three initiatives that are committed to an inclusive and connected society. Initiatives that are unique, creative, and meaningful and have been active for at least two years are eligible. The theme of the Appeltjes changes every year. The prize consists of a bronze statuette designed and created by Princess Beatrix and a cash prize of 25,000 euros. This money can be spent freely within the scope of the winning initiative’s objectives. 

PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina has extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Curaçao following the country's historic participation in the FIFA World Cup and the unforgettable milestone of scoring its first-ever goal on football's grandest stage.

For the Prime Minister, the significance of the occasion extends far beyond the ninety minutes played on the field. It represents a defining moment for Curaçao, the Dutch Caribbean, and the wider Caribbean region.

"Some moments in sport become much larger than sport itself. This was one of those moments. What the people of Curaçao achieved belongs not only to them, but to everyone throughout our region who understands the determination, sacrifice, and perseverance required for a small island nation to reach the world's biggest sporting stage."

Prime Minister Mercelina noted that Curaçao's World Cup appearance serves as a powerful reminder that ambition, perseverance, and national pride can overcome even the greatest of odds.

"For many of us watching, this journey was about more than football. It was about possibility. It was about seeing a Caribbean nation stand among the world's footballing powers and knowing that excellence can emerge from any corner of our region. That message carries tremendous meaning for our young people."

The Prime Minister further emphasized that Curaçao's accomplishment resonates deeply within Sint Maarten because of the shared experiences, history, and bonds that connect the islands of the Dutch Caribbean.

"There is a special sense of pride when one of our sister islands achieves something extraordinary. Curaçao's journey reminds us that the successes of one Caribbean people inspire the confidence of another. Their achievement has reminded Caribbean people everywhere that our region is capable of producing excellence that can compete and succeed on the world's biggest stages."

Prime Minister Mercelina also reflected on Sint Maarten's unique position during this World Cup, where residents are able to celebrate multiple nations with which they share close ties.

"As a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we proudly celebrate the participation of the Netherlands. As a people who share one island with our brothers and sisters of Saint-Martin, we likewise celebrate the participation of France. Yet, in this particular World Cup, Curaçao's story carries a special place in the hearts of many throughout our region because it reflects a Caribbean journey that so many of us can identify with."

The Prime Minister stressed that Curaçao's achievement sends an important message to future generations throughout the Caribbean.

"Every young person who watched this World Cup should understand that dreams do not have to be limited by geography. They do not have to be limited by population size. They do not have to be limited by the perception of what others believe is possible. Curaçao has demonstrated that dedication, preparation, and belief can open doors that once seemed beyond reach."

As the tournament continues, Prime Minister Mercelina encouraged the people of Sint Maarten to embrace the spirit of unity and celebration that football inspires around the world.

"The World Cup remains one of the few occasions that can bring together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and nations in a shared celebration of human achievement. Whether one's support lies with Curaçao, the Netherlands, France, or another participating nation, this tournament reminds us of the connections that unite us rather than the differences that separate us."

The Prime Minister concluded by noting that long after the final results of this World Cup have faded from memory, the significance of Curaçao's achievement will endure.

"Years from now, people may not remember every scoreline or every statistic from this tournament. What they will remember is that a Caribbean nation stepped onto the world's biggest football stage and showed what can be achieved through courage, commitment, and belief. That is the legacy of this moment, and it is a legacy worthy of celebration."

Prime Minister Mercelina once again congratulated the people of Curaçao and wished the national team continued success throughout the remainder of the tournament.