Govt. instructs board of GEBE to resign immediately

GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten has reportedly instructed the Supervisory Board of NV GEBE to tender its resignation with immediate effect, signaling a decisive move in response to a growing breakdown in trust between the shareholder and the board.

While official confirmation has not yet been issued, multiple sources indicate that the government has lost confidence in the board’s leadership over several unresolved issues that have severely impacted the country’s only electricity and water provider.

Key among the government’s concerns is the board’s handling of the 2022 cyberattack, which crippled GEBE’s operations for months and left customers in a prolonged state of uncertainty. More than two years later, GEBE is still struggling to normalize its billing processes, resulting in widespread frustration and confusion among consumers.

Adding to the government’s dissatisfaction is the board’s reported unwillingness to act on recommendations from the Regulatory Authority Council (RAC) aimed at delivering relief to the population. The RAC had issued specific measures to reduce the burden of electricity costs on households and businesses, but the board has been reluctant to implement them. Similarly, the board has shown resistance to cooperating on proposals to reduce the fuel clause and enact other meaningful relief mechanisms.

These shortcomings have widened the divide between the government, acting as shareholder, and the current board, creating a governance deadlock that has left only one party to bear the consequences, the people of St. Maarten.

According to sources close to the matter, the government’s move is part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in GEBE and chart a new course built on transparency, accountability, and technical expertise. A new direction with renewed oversight is considered urgently necessary to secure a stable future for the utility company and the thousands who depend on its services.

Should the Supervisory Board refuse to resign voluntarily, the government, as sole shareholder, retains legal avenues to enforce the decision. The current board’s term (for the majority of members) was initially set to run until 2027. For another member, that term was set to end in the last quarter of this year. It was appointed by the former National Alliance led government.

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