GREAT BAY--Member of Parliament Omar E.C. Ottley has welcomed Thursday's meeting between fuel supplier SOL, Government and Members of Parliament as an important step toward addressing fuel pricing and the financial burden of electricity costs on residents and businesses in St. Maarten. Ottley credited Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina for following through on a commitment made during an earlier meeting involving the Prime Minister, NV GEBE and himself in September.
During that September meeting, Ottley emphasized that efforts to address electricity costs must go beyond reviewing GEBE's financial calculations and maintenance requirements. He maintained that Government also needed to engage directly with SOL to better understand the cost of fuel supplied to GEBE and examine whether changes to existing arrangements could create opportunities for consumer relief.
The October 8 meeting brought together representatives of SOL, Government and Members of Parliament to discuss fuel pricing and the factors influencing the cost of supplying fuel to the utility company.
Ottley thanked the Prime Minister for acting on one of the agreed points from their earlier discussions and for facilitating the engagement. He also expressed appreciation for Mercelina's public acknowledgment of his continued involvement in the GEBE issue and the knowledge he has contributed to discussions concerning fuel pricing.
According to Ottley, SOL demonstrated openness and a willingness to participate in constructive discussions, sharing information about its pricing structure and the factors influencing its costs.
He described the exchange as an important first step toward establishing the cooperation necessary to better understand fuel pricing and identify possible solutions that could ultimately benefit electricity consumers.
Ottley specifically thanked SOL representatives Robert James and newly appointed General Manager Collin Francis for their willingness to engage. He also extended his best wishes to both representatives in their new roles.
The MP expressed satisfaction at having helped initiate renewed dialogue that could lead to a more structured and mutually beneficial arrangement between SOL and GEBE, with the broader objective of securing better outcomes for St. Maarten.
"All hands are on deck. At the end of the day, this is about finding solutions that can bring relief to the people of Sint Maarten," Ottley said.
Ottley noted that his involvement in matters concerning GEBE and fuel pricing spans approximately three years. During that period, he has brought forward parliamentary motions and developed a draft ministerial regulation under the Price Ordinance as part of his efforts to address electricity affordability and strengthen accountability.
He also pointed to the anticipated findings of the Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP), which is examining matters related to the utility sector. Ottley said he looks forward to those findings, which he believes will provide additional information to support further discussions and possible solutions.
While describing Thursday's meeting as a positive development, Ottley emphasized that continued engagement must be accompanied by accountability and concrete follow-up.
He pledged to continue monitoring Government's commitments while maintaining a constructive approach to working with the relevant parties.
"This is ultimately about the people of Sint Maarten. I will continue to ask the hard questions, push for accountability and do my part to ensure that we explore every possible avenue for relief. Today was an important step, and I am hopeful that we can build on it," Ottley stated.
The meeting represents progress in opening direct communication between the parties involved in fuel supply and electricity generation. However, discussions on pricing and possible relief measures remain part of an ongoing process, with further assessment and engagement needed before any potential benefits can be realized by consumers.
