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PHILIPSBURG — Utilities company NV GEBE has sent out letters to several clients, reminding them of outstanding invoices. The letter, dated May 19, gives GEBE-clients seven days to pay, otherwise the company threatens to take measures, like disconnecting those who do not comply.
The dunning letter begins with “valued customer” and is only signed with “Yours truly, NV GEBE.”
In some letters, GEBE claims payment arrears of more than 1,900 guilders ($1,061).
One client said that he or she sent proof of payment to GEBE, showing double and at times even triple billing for the same period, without getting a reply.
A local businessman reportedly received an invoice for 15,000 guilders ($8,380) in outstanding invoices. The businessman has no clue what the basis is for that claim.
Alvin Prescod who works in parliament received a reminder worth 11,000 guilders ($6,145). Prescod posted his grievances on Facebook. “I came home and realized that my electricity was off. At first I thought the whole neighborhood had lost power. But no …. it was only my house.”
Prescod expressed his concerns in no uncertain terms. “Imagine the single parent household going through this alone. Imagine the pensioner living off a fixed income. Imagine the family already behind on rent.”
Prescod notes that not everybody is strong enough to handle the pressure. “At some point GEBE, the government and the country have to stop focusing only on collections and start focusing on solutions.”
He pushes for solutions like renewable energy (solar power) and to create payment structures that make sense. “Partner with people instead of strong-arming them. Right now too many people in St. Maarten are living in fear every time they hear the words: Your GEBE bill.”
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Related articles:
Online survey returns predictable results about concerns regarding NV GEBE
(Un)affordable electricity
Facebook post Alvin Prescod
2nd Facebook post Alvin Prescod
Opinion piece – Billing chaos
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