MPs Ottley and Lewis seek clarity on GEBE relief, financial assistance and delayed projects

GREAT BAY--Members of Parliament Omar Ottley and Lyndon Lewis directed a series of questions to government ministers during Tuesday evening's debate on the draft 2027 National Budget, demanding clarity on electricity relief, the controversial garbage collection tender, overdue payments to government employees, financial assistance for vulnerable residents, infrastructure development and delays in government services.

Both MPs questioned whether the budget adequately addresses the immediate needs of residents, with Ottley concentrating heavily on electricity affordability and social assistance, while Lewis challenged government on the implementation of promised projects, the treatment of public servants and administrative delays affecting businesses and development.

Their interventions followed the presentations by the Council of Ministers outlining the proposed budgets and policy priorities of the seven government ministries for 2027.

Ottley Questions GEBE Relief and Electricity Tariffs

A significant portion of Ottley's questions concerned GEBE, the electricity tariff structure and the government's relief initiatives for consumers struggling with high electricity bills.

The MP asked how many residential and commercial customers GEBE had as of October 2026 and how its customer base had grown annually over the previous three to five years.

He also requested detailed information about the electricity relief program, including the number of households that have received assistance, the number of applications denied and the reasons for those denials.

Ottley questioned what definition of vulnerability is being used to determine eligibility and whether working families, single-income households, small businesses and residents whose electricity bills exceed their ability to pay are being considered.

He also asked whether renters and households whose electricity accounts are registered in a landlord's name would qualify.

The MP requested clarification on how much funding government itself is contributing to the relief program, as opposed to funds made available by GEBE.

He referred to an allocation of Cg 1.5 million from GEBE and asked whether government would provide matching funding to reach more households.

Ottley further questioned whether eligibility decisions could be made more transparent through the publication of monthly reports showing total allocations, approved beneficiaries, rejected applications and the remaining funds.

Among his proposals for consideration was whether government could offset GEBE's projected Cg 8 million concession payment to provide electricity bill reductions directly to consumers.

He also asked how much it would cost to subsidize the first 200 kilowatt-hours of residential electricity consumption or temporarily reduce fixed electricity charges for households.

Turning to the electricity tariff structure, Ottley questioned the status of recommendations made by the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), particularly concerning the fuel clause and the possibility of implementing short-term adjustments while longer-term energy reforms are being developed.

He specifically asked when and why lubricants were included in the calculation of the electricity fuel clause.

Ottley also questioned whether the Ministry of VROMI had participated in discussions concerning BTP's regulatory work and draft legislation governing electricity tariffs, and whether the Ministry supports regulating those tariffs through the proposed framework.

He additionally sought clarification on whether the Council of Ministers had formally authorized Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina to assume responsibility for matters involving GEBE.

Garbage Tender, Collection Budget and Potholes

Ottley also directed several questions to Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs concerning the state of garbage collection and the ongoing tender process for solid waste management.

The MP questioned what he described as a reduction in the garbage collection allocation from approximately Cg 7.6 million in 2026 to Cg 6.8 million for 2027, asking why funding would decrease while residents continue to experience problems with garbage collection.

He requested an explanation of the current status of the tender process, including whether contracts have been awarded, which companies were selected and whether information circulating publicly about the distribution of garbage collection parcels is accurate.

Ottley also asked whether any contractor received more than one parcel.

Referring to allegations circulating about possible interference and irregularities in the tender, the MP asked the Minister to address the claims and clarify whether there is any basis for them.

No finding of wrongdoing was established through Ottley's questions.

On road maintenance, Ottley demanded an update on pothole repairs, asking whether work has begun, when residents can expect improvements and why repairs continue to take so long.

He also requested clarification on the final design of the proposed marketplace, questioning whether the project will consist of one or two floors following changes to the plans previously discussed.

Questions on Firefighters, Tourist Tax and Immigration

Ottley turned to Prime Minister Mercelina with questions about the placement and retroactive payments owed to Fire Department personnel.

He asked which firefighters are entitled to retroactive compensation, when the placement process and salary calculations are expected to be completed, and how much of the proposed Fire Department personnel budget increase is reserved for recruitment and outstanding payments.

The MP also requested an update from the Minister of Finance on the proposed tourist tax, including whether an additional report scheduled for submission to the Council of Advice by October 1, 2026, had been submitted.

Addressing the Ministry of Justice, Ottley revisited proposed amendments to the National Ordinance on Admission and Expulsion (LTU), particularly concerning children born in St. Maarten whose residency status may be affected by their parents' immigration circumstances.

He asked how often humanitarian provisions had been used over the past five years to grant residency and how immigration authorities interpret continuous admission when there are gaps in documentary proof of residence.

The MP also questioned whether school attendance and educational records are accepted as evidence of residency, and what additional administrative workload could result from the proposed amendments.

Financial Assistance and Housing Repairs

Ottley questioned VSA Minister Claret Connor about the decision to allocate approximately Cg 8.2 million for financial assistance in 2027 despite indications that actual expenditure could reach approximately Cg 10 million.

He asked who made the decision to budget below anticipated demand and what measures would be taken to protect vulnerable households if assistance requirements exceed the allocation.

The MP also requested information about the home repair program administered through social development services, including funding allocated during the previous two years and the number of homes repaired.

He questioned whether the program had ended despite continuing housing problems and the presence of residents unable to afford essential repairs.

Ottley additionally requested a breakdown of approximately Cg 800,000 associated with preparations for implementing General Health Insurance, asking what specific activities justify the allocation.

He also called on all ministries to provide details of new third-party consultants included in the 2027 budget, the amounts allocated and the budget lines under which the expenses appear.

Lewis Questions Government Delivery and Employee Compensation

MP Lyndon Lewis focused much of his contribution on the difference between government's budget presentations and the implementation of projects and reforms.

The MP challenged Prime Minister Mercelina's assessment that improvements are becoming visible across government, questioning whether those improvements are being experienced by ordinary workers and residents.

Lewis raised concerns about salaries paid to employees in government's Facility Affairs Department, particularly workers assigned to lower salary scales.

He questioned why some government employees are reportedly earning less than the minimum wage and called for greater attention to the financial circumstances of cleaners, security personnel and other essential workers.

Lewis also returned to the longstanding issue of retroactive payments owed to Justice Ministry employees.

He questioned the fairness of arrangements under which compensation may be paid over an extended period and asked why government has not made faster settlement of those obligations a greater priority.

The MP specifically raised concerns about retired employees who have yet to receive their payments, arguing that public servants should be able to benefit from compensation earned during their working years.

TWO Projects and World Bank Studies

Lewis directed questions to the Prime Minister concerning projects supported through the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) and cooperation arrangements with the Netherlands.

He requested an update on the current status of these projects, the expected benefits for St. Maarten and the financial obligations government may face after implementation.

The MP also questioned expenditure on studies and reports associated with World Bank-supported activities.

Lewis asked how much money has been spent on those studies, how many reports have been completed and how many of their recommendations have been implemented.

He further requested that the documents be made available to Parliament or published for public review, allowing residents to assess how funds have been used and what results have been achieved.

Questions on Educational Care Center

Turning to Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Melissa Gumbs, Lewis sought clarification on the proposed Educational Care Center (ECC), which is intended to support students experiencing significant behavioral challenges.

He asked how the center will accommodate students requiring assistance, whether they will attend on a full-day basis or according to designated time slots, and whether services will be delivered individually, in groups or through a combination of both.

Lewis also questioned whether educational support services could be expanded to assist students with learning difficulties who may not qualify for specialized education programs.

He specifically mentioned students with dyslexia and dyscalculia, asking whether professional assessments, specialized interventions and individualized learning support could be made more accessible.

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