~How Shareholder Representatives and Political Interference Have Kept Sint Maarten's Most Important Company in Permanent Crisis~
PHILIPSBURG:--- No private company could survive what NV GEBE has endured over the past five years.
No serious utility provider responsible for supplying electricity and water to an entire country should be subjected to the level of uncertainty, instability, and political interference that has become the norm at Sint Maarten's sole utility company.
Yet this is exactly what has happened.
While governments have come and gone, while Ministers and Prime Ministers have changed, while Supervisory Boards have been replaced, one thing has remained constant: the failure of the shareholder representatives to ensure stable and competent leadership at NV GEBE.
Today, the country once again faces uncertainty about the future management of its only utility company.
The question is no longer whether there is a governance crisis at NV GEBE.
The question is who should be held accountable for creating it.
The last stable Management Board
In 2015, the Government appointed a statutory management board consisting of Chief Executive Officer Kenrick Chittick, Chief Financial Officer Iris Arrindell, and Chief Operations Officer Veronica Webster -Jensen.
The three directors served their full statutory term.
Regardless of how one evaluates their performance, they provided one thing that has been absent ever since: stability.
Their five-year term ended in November 2020.
That was nearly six years ago.
Since then, NV GEBE has become trapped in an endless cycle of temporary appointments, management changes, political disputes, and uncertainty.
The fact that Sint Maarten's only utility company has operated for years without a stable permanent management structure should alarm every citizen.
Instead, it has become normalized.
A Revolving Door of Leadership
Following the expiration of the management board's term, the company entered one of the most unstable periods in its history.
Temporary managers became the norm rather than the exception.
Sharine Daniel was appointed as Temporary Manager.
Her tenure was short-lived.
Thereafter, Timmer Jimmy was appointed Temporary Manager and later elevated to the position of Statutory Director.
That appointment also ended abruptly.
The country witnessed yet another management disruption when he was dismissed, creating further uncertainty within the organization.
Then came Troy Washington.
On September 13, 2022, Washington was appointed Temporary Manager of NV GEBE.
Many employees viewed his appointment as an opportunity to restore some measure of stability.
By all accounts, Washington worked tirelessly to steer the company through one of the most difficult periods in its history.
Yet despite serving for years and despite efforts to formalize leadership at the company, he remained in a temporary capacity.
When Washington tragically passed away in March 2025, he was still not a permanently appointed CEO.
Think about that for a moment.
The man entrusted with running the country's only utility company remained in a temporary position years after his appointment.
If that does not represent a governance failure, what does?
Who Failed to Act?
The Supervisory Board of Directors cannot appoint a permanent management board on its own.
The appointment process requires the involvement and approval of shareholder representatives and ultimately the Government.
This is where real failure begins.
For years, recommendations were reportedly submitted.
Candidates were identified.
Processes were undertaken.
Discussions took place.
Yet the appointments never materialized.
The result was predictable.
Instead of establishing long-term leadership, NV GEBE was forced to continue operating under temporary arrangements.
The consequence of that failure has been enormous.
Employees lost confidence.
Strategic projects stalled.
Long-term planning has become increasingly difficult.
Institutional knowledge was disrupted.
The company became vulnerable to political influence.
Most importantly, the public's confidence in the organization continued to erode.
A Political Playground
The unfortunate reality is that many citizens have come to view government-owned companies as extensions of political power.
Every election seems to bring a new political reality.
Every new political reality seems to trigger discussions regarding boards and appointments.
Every new appointment brings speculation regarding political loyalties.
Every change creates uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the country continues to suffer.
Government-owned companies should never become bargaining chips in political negotiations.
Board appointments should never be viewed as rewards.
Executive positions should never be determined by political preferences.
These positions should be filled by the most qualified individuals available.
NV GEBE is not a social club.
It is not a political organization.
It is not a campaign office.
It is the company responsible for powering an entire nation.
Its leadership should be selected based on competence, experience, technical knowledge, and proven management ability.
Nothing else.
The Water Plant that Never Happened
One of the most frustrating examples of the country's failure to think strategically is the continued absence of a national water production facility.
Nearly a decade ago, discussions were taking place regarding the possibility of developing a water plant capable of providing Sint Maarten with greater independence and security.
The vision was simple.
Reduce dependence.
Increase national resilience.
Strengthen critical infrastructure.
Create long-term benefits for future generations.
Yet years later, that vision remains unrealized.
Governments have changed.
Boards have changed.
Managers have changed.
But the country still finds itself discussing many of the same issues that existed ten years ago.
The question citizens should ask is simple:
How many opportunities have been lost because long-term planning was sacrificed for short-term political considerations?
Another Temporary Appointment?
Now, NV GEBE once again finds itself at a crossroads.
Reports indicate that discussions are underway regarding yet another temporary management appointment.
If true, it would represent another chapter in a story that has become all too familiar.
Another temporary solution.
Another transitional period.
Another delay.
Another missed opportunity to provide the company with the stable leadership it desperately needs.
Employees are understandably concerned.
Many have spent years adapting to changing management structures.
Many have witnessed repeated shifts in direction.
Many are simply tired of the uncertainty.
They deserve better.
The Shareholder Representatives Must Be Held Accountable
The time has come to stop blaming everyone else.
The time has come to stop hiding behind procedures.
The time has come to stop pretending that this situation is normal.
It is not normal.
It is not acceptable.
And it is certainly not in national interest.
The shareholder representatives were entrusted with protecting the interests of NV GEBE and by extension the people of Sint Maarten.
That responsibility includes ensuring competent governance, stable leadership, and long-term strategic planning.
Looking at the events of the last five years, it is difficult to argue that those objectives have been achieved.
The facts speak for themselves.
One management board completed its term in November 2020.
Five years later, NV GEBE is still struggling to secure lasting executive leadership.
Five years later, temporary appointments continue.
Five years later, employees remain uncertain about the future.
Five years later, the country's most important company remains trapped in instability.
That is not success.
That is failure.
And until those responsible are willing to put the interests of the country above politics, NV GEBE will continue to pay the price.
Unfortunately, so will the people of Sint Maarten.
