PHILIPSBURG:--- The leadership crisis at NV GEBE has reached a critical point, with Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina issuing a strong call for accountability and performance. In recent statements at the Council of Ministers press briefing, the Prime Minister made his position clear: the time for excuses is over. He has directly addressed the performance of the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBoD) and the effectiveness of the company's current management, signaling a demand for decisive action to resolve the utility's persistent operational failures.
Dr. Mercelina did not mince words when discussing the SBoD, stating unequivocally, "It is not for nothing that I have requested the board to resign." This public declaration underscores a profound dissatisfaction with the board's oversight and strategic direction. The request for resignation reflects a complete loss of confidence stemming from ongoing issues that have plagued the company and its customers for years. These problems, including the notorious and widespread failure to issue accurate, timely invoices, have left residents and businesses in prolonged uncertainty. The Prime Minister's stance implies that the Supervisory Board has failed in its fundamental duty to hold management accountable and steer the company toward stability and reliability.
Furthermore, Dr. Mercelina dismissed any notion that the company's leadership challenges should excuse its poor performance. He pointed out that GEBE currently has a temporary manager and financial officer in place. He emphasized that the presence of temporary leadership is not a valid excuse for inaction or failure to execute. "We have had this temporary manager before for a few years... and it was never an excuse to take decisions with GEBE," he stated. "There should be no excuse for execution of what really has to happen in that company, especially seeing the critical situation that we're in."
This assertion places responsibility for day-to-day operations squarely on the current management team, regardless of their temporary status. The Prime Minister's message is that a functioning board and an empowered management team, even if interim, must have the capacity and the will to run the organization effectively. The expectation is clear: the leadership must address the critical problems facing GEBE now, without waiting for permanent appointments.
These powerful statements highlight a deep-seated governance crisis. On the one hand, the Prime Minister is calling for the resignation of the supervisory body responsible for oversight. On the other, he is demanding immediate results from a management team operating without a permanent, fully appointed board. This situation raises significant questions about the path forward for GEBE. While the call for accountability is necessary, it also shines a light on the leadership vacuum that has allowed operational issues to fester.
For the people of St. Martin, who have endured years of billing chaos and uncertainty, the Prime Minister's words may offer a glimmer of hope that change is coming. However, these words must be followed by concrete actions. Restoring public trust in GEBE will require more than a change in personnel; it will demand a fundamental shift toward transparent governance, effective management, and a renewed commitment to serving the community's needs without delay or excuse.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The ongoing saga at St. Maarten's utility company, GEBE, has raised serious questions about corporate governance, transparency, and the proper role of the government as a shareholder. While Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has publicly emphasized an "arms-length" approach, recent actions by the Council of Ministers paint a conflicting picture, suggesting direct intervention rather than principled oversight. This has created a cloud of uncertainty over the company's leadership and its ability to serve the public effectively.
At the heart of this issue lies GEBE's own Articles of Incorporation. Specifically, Article 12 outlines the responsibilities of the Supervisory Board, which is the SBOD of GEBE. Point 2 grants the SBOD the authority to provide "general directions" concerning the company's policies, while Point 11 specifies the role of "supervising" the management. These clauses are designed to ensure that the SBOD can guide the company's strategic direction and hold its leadership accountable without becoming entangled in its day-to-day operational affairs. This principle of separation is fundamental to sound corporate governance.
However, the Prime Minister's recent actions appear to challenge this very principle. Despite publicly stating that the shareholder's role is one of oversight, not direct management, Dr. Mercelina and the Council of Ministers voted to appoint Jeffreyson Paris as the new Chief Operations Officer (COO). This move directly contradicts the notion of an arms-length relationship. Instead of allowing the established corporate structure, namely the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBoD), to manage executive appointments, the government appears to have inserted its preferred candidate into a key operational role.
This decision is made more concerning by the fact that the SBoD had reportedly submitted its own list of candidates for director positions nearly a year ago. Those appointments have yet to be finalized, leaving critical leadership roles in limbo. The government's decision to bypass this process and install its own choice for COO sends a troubling message: that established corporate procedures can be sidestepped at will. This not only undermines the authority of the Supervisory Board but also introduces political considerations into what should be purely operational decisions.
The implications of this governance crisis are far-reaching. For a company as critical as GEBE, stable and independent leadership is essential. The constant delays in appointments and apparent political maneuvering create a leadership vacuum that can paralyze decision-making and hinder progress on urgent issues. For years, residents and businesses have complained about inaccurate billing and the inability to receive invoices, sometimes for periods extending over two years
A company struggling with such fundamental operational challenges requires a steady, empowered management team, not one subject to the shifting winds of politics.
When the government blurs the lines between shareholder oversight and operational meddling, it erodes trust—not just within the company, but also among the public it serves. Consumers who have patiently waited for resolutions to their billing issues are now left to wonder if the company's leadership is focused on fixing these problems or on navigating internal politics.
Moving forward, a firm commitment to the principles outlined in GEBE's own Articles of Incorporation is essential. The government must respect the role of the Supervisory Board and allow it to function as intended. Appointing qualified directors based on merit and experience, free from political influence, is the first step toward restoring stability and credibility. Transparency, accountability, and a genuine adherence to corporate governance are not optional—they are the only way to ensure GEBE can effectively and reliably serve the people of St. Martin.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten is treating with the highest level of urgency and severity an armed robbery that occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 30, 2025. This criminal act represents not only a violent crime against a member of our community but a direct assault on public trust and the integrity of law enforcement in Sint Maarten.
While KPSM issued an initial press release regarding this incident, the exceptional sensitivity and gravity of this case demand that we reach out to the community once more with renewed urgency. The deliberate impersonation of police officers during the commission of a violent crime is an attack on the very foundation of public safety in Sint Maarten.
As indicated in an earlier press release, just before midnight on November 30, 2025, Central Police Dispatch received multiple reports of an armed robbery at the Madame Estate Shopping Center. A business owner was confronted and robbed while returning home. The suspect stole keys and personal valuables and committed the crime while deliberately wearing a yellow-and-blue polo-style shirt virtually identical to official KPSM police uniforms.
Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene in a small white vehicle, heading toward A.Th. Illidge Road.
KPSM views the impersonation of police officers during the commission of a violent crime as one of the most serious offenses against our society. This act undermines the sacred bond between law enforcement and the community we have sworn to protect. The damage to public confidence is immeasurable, and we will not rest until this criminal is brought to justice.
All available investigative resources have been mobilized. Our detectives are working intensively to identify and apprehend the suspect.
An internal investigation is also underway to account for every KPSM uniform. An inventory is being conducted to determine if any official uniforms have been stolen, compromised, or are missing.
Due to the extreme sensitivity of this case and its impact on public trust, KPSM is making a direct and urgent appeal to every member of our community.
The safety of our community and the integrity of your police force depend on swift action. WKPSM is calling on every resident, business owner, and visitor who may have ANY information about this crime to come forward:
• Did you see ANYTHING suspicious near Madame Estate Shopping Center between 09.00 pm and 00.00 a.m. on November 30?
• Do you have information about a small white vehicle fleeing the area?
• Do you have surveillance footage from the area during that time period?
Please contact KPSM immediately: Police Station: +1 721-542-2222 Emergency Line: 9-1-1, Anonymous at Tip Line: 9300

KPSM Press Release.

~Internal Investigation Already Underway.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Nationale Algemene Politie Bond (NAPB) unequivocally condemns the alleged use of a police uniform and/or equipment to engage in unlawful activities. Such actions, if confirmed, represent a grave breach of public trust and stand in direct opposition to the values, ethics, and responsibilities upheld by our members and the law enforcement profession as a whole.
The NAPB is committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of conduct. We fully support the immediate launch of an internal investigation to determine the facts surrounding this incident. Any individual found to have misused the police uniform, authority, or public confidence for criminal purposes must be held fully accountable under the law.
“Misrepresentation of law enforcement undermines the integrity of every officer who serves honorably,” said President of NAPB, Marcus Pantophlet. “We will not tolerate behavior that jeopardizes community trust or compromises the safety of the public.”
NAPB remains steadfast in its commitment to ethical policing, community partnership, and maintaining the highest standards expected of those who wear the uniform.