Marlin questions new non-local appointments at GEBE: “I struggle to understand the insistence on bringing in outsiders when we have capable St. Maarteners.”

GREAT BAY--Former Member of Parliament and community leader Cloyd Ohndae Marlin is raising concerns about recent reports of another non local appointment to a senior position at NV GEBE (Chief Operations Officer), while also calling for urgent billing relief and full transparency regarding executive compensation and accountability at the country’s utility company.

Marlin said the continued selection of non locals for top roles is difficult to justify, particularly given the presence of qualified St. Maarteners who can lead. He also described the situation as reinforcing what he previously characterized in Parliament as contradictions within the Mercelina Cabinet, pointing to moments of public pride in locally achieved success alongside ongoing reliance on imported executive leadership at key institutions.

As an additional case in point, he raised the issue about the hiring process behind an IT manager at the company. According to Marlin, this individual is from Trinidad and is expected to start on Monday, January 12. His questions include whether the vacancy was publicly posted, how many St. Maarteners applied, and if local candidates did apply, why none were selected. The use of international recruiting firms is also being questioned, particularly after a United States based company was reportedly used to recruit the IT manager. In that context, he also called for NV GEBE to clarify what procedures were followed to hire the IT manager, whether any local applicants were interviewed, and what criteria ultimately led to the decision.

“I struggle to understand the insistence on bringing in outsiders for these top roles, especially when we have capable St. Maarteners who could step up,” Marlin said.

Marlin said he recently met with the incoming Chief Financial Officer of NV GEBE and left the discussion concerned about what he described as limited operational understanding and insufficient empathy for the financial strain being experienced by residents and businesses.

He argued that the public needs immediate and visible relief, adding that unresolved charges and billing inconsistencies from prior years, including periods affected by the 2022 cyberattack, have worsened hardship and uncertainty.

To illustrate the challenges faced by customers, Marlin shared an example involving his business partner’s company, which he said consistently paid its monthly bills on time before the 2022 cyberattack, averaging about ANG 1,000 per month. During the disruption, the company continued paying approximately the same amount, and at times doubled payments to remain current, based on guidance to “continue paying what you could.”

After billing systems were restored, Marlin said invoices reflected rates roughly 50 percent higher than before. Despite adjustments to reduce consumption, the company later received a statement indicating an outstanding balance exceeding ANG 36,000. He said a proposed payment plan would add roughly ANG 1,000 monthly on top of a current bill that is now around ANG 1,500, pushing total monthly outlays toward ANG 3,500.

Marlin said the company provided bank records to demonstrate payments that do not appear to be reflected in NV GEBE’s system, and he questioned how such discrepancies could persist in a way that places what he called an unfair burden on local businesses and the livelihoods they support.

Marlin is calling for clear public answers and documentation on executive compensation, contract terms, and compliance with local tax obligations. He posed the following questions for NV GEBE and the government of St. Maarten:

• What are the salaries and full compensation packages for new senior executives at NV GEBE?

• How and where are these payments processed?

• Are all required taxes being withheld and remitted in accordance with local laws?

• Who covers housing, transportation, phone services, and utilities?

• When do the contracts expire?

• What specific strategies will reduce the financial strain on residents and businesses, and when will tangible relief be delivered?

• What unique qualifications justified appointing multiple non locals to lead NV GEBE, and what message does this send to young students aspiring to leadership roles on St. Maarten?

• What the terms of the management contracts based on shareholders' resolution?

• Will there be specific targets to comply within a specific time frame, such as solar, pre-paid metering, and net metering for private solar producers?

• Compared to the former local born directors, what are the current fees paid now to consultants? Will they be allowed a salary more than the Prime Minister?

• Will there be training for a local counter-part to allow for an eventual transition for a local to take over? "In order not to be tied with a five year contract there should be a trial period of 1 year, same as was done with our local director."

Marlin pointed to the post Hurricane Irma period, noting that services were rebuilt and restored under local leadership, which he said demonstrated what St. Maarteners can achieve when entrusted with responsibility. He urged a return to that approach, with qualified locals prioritized to manage critical institutions.

He also expressed appreciation for NV GEBE staff who continue reporting to work amid public frustration over bills. He said frontline employees are often left to face anger they did not cause, while senior leadership should be more visible and accountable.

Marlin said he is seeking meaningful dialogue and swift action focused on affordability, transparency, and fair treatment for residents and businesses.

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