PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – NV GEBE announced in a press release that after months of suspended disconnection of its electricity and water services, the company will be resuming its monthly standard course of action to collect outstanding funds. During the early part of 2020, and several times thereafter, NV GEBE halted the disconnection of services to allow the financial recovery of its customers who were experiencing economic difficulties due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Sharine Daniel, Interim Managing Director stated that “This is an issue where there are no easy answers and disconnection is always a last resort.” Dr. Daniel further stated that a two month window of opportunity to enter into a payment arrangement for outstanding bills, was granted to all customers last year and that NV GEBE had honored each request. We fully recognize that the pandemiccontinues to be a time of hardship for many of us, however, there are many customers who had not made any attempt to take advantage of the opportunity to set up a payment plan or to make any payments.”
Presently, the receivables of NV GEBE has increased significantlyand although NV GEBE understands the financial hardship the community is experiencing, all effort must be made to collect the funds. Our Customer Care staff continues to make calls to persons in arrears but payments nor a commitment to pay are forthcoming. Dr. Daniel stated that “customers are urged to settle their past due balances as this is our final notice and those that do not comply will face disconnection starting February 15, 2021.
