PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — There is no secret that Postal Services St. Maarren N.V. has been facing challenging times since 10-10-10. However, even though these challenges Management and Staff being a resilient body, prevailed.
As if being locked out of the building and stripped of possessions wasn’t humanly devastating enough, then came issues with securing the position of the then Managing Director, which led to unfortunate court case after court case. Turbulent times continued which led to the most recent decision of having to downsize and relocate.
After the devastation of Hurricane Irma, PSS faced yet another kickback. PSS, being the sole agent on St. Maarten for Money Gram had to make a hard decision and stop that part of the operations due to security purposes. We never intended to give up the license explained management, we were merely conforming to the rules of the union and police advice that due to the location we were at risk. Wanting to comply we informed the financial institution to whom we report to of this, only to be told if we stopped the operations, we would have to reapply for the foreign exchange license.
With the newly installed Supervisory Board of Directors taking office since September 2018, that has been one of the main focal points being perused, expressed a representative of the Supervisory Board.
However, this most recent attack on the longevity, sustainability and continuity of PSS is by far the worst slap in the face not only to PSS but to Country St. Maarten.
Soualiga Service Point a branch of C-Post Curacao has in the past tried to undermine the operations of PSS, by trying to carry out some operational activities that are solely based on the concession of PSS. They were unsuccessful. Their license was one that was given for the sole purpose of e-commerce.
Today however, we have learned that Soualiga Service Point requested a name change in 2018. We all know when going to the Chamber of Commerce of St. Maarten any name change request should be accompanied with 3 possibilities for a name verification.
How can the name C-Post St. Maarten not be in direct conflict with Postal Services St. Maarten? How can the government of St. Maarten continue to not maintain the interest of its own postal services, questions the Supervisory Board.
Not only have we been the only post office within the then Netherlands Antilles that have not been subject to a financial injection from its government since the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles, which has caused us to fend for ourselves, of course causing major financial setbacks; but at some point, even government desiring to sell out our post office. We all know based on our constitution every country should have a post office.
Soualiga Service Point received their desired name change in 2018, which we are vehemently opposing. We understand their motives for this. While PSS has sought to regain our foreign exchange license to commence our Money Gram business transactions, C-Post Curacao is the agent in Curacao for Money Gram, having a branch here on St. Maarten, with the now name change to C-Post St. Maarten, the question is who will stop C-Post from carrying out these foreign exchange transactions, asked the Supervisory Board.
If it was red tape for PSS, and other entities like Western Union, competition which is always healthy, and not shying away from, why is it red carpet treatment for Soualiga Service Point / C-Post?
The Supervisory Board of PSS will be having an audience with the Interim Council of Ministers tomorrow, Thursday December 12, 2019 as we believe government’s intervention is pertinent at this time, concludes the Supervisory Board of Directors.
Source: 721 News https://www.721news.com/top-story/postal-services-st-maarten-n-v-has-been-facing-challenging-times-since-10-10-10/
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