New board members appointed
On Friday Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake held his first NV GEBE Sint Maarten shareholders meeting where three new board members were appointed.
The new board members are Kelvin Bloyden, designate Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors of NV GEBE replacing Julius Lambert as of January 8, 2014; Veronica Jansen-Webster and Zylena Bary as members of the Board of Supervisory Directors of NV GEBE effective immediately.
The other board members would be appointed after adjustments have been made to the articles of incorporation.
The board appointments were in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers of Sint Maarten of December 17, 2013 and subsequently the advice of the Corporate Governance Council St. Maarten dated December 30, 2013.
During the meeting on Friday the board accepted the resignation of Julius Lambert as Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors of NV GEBE effective January 8, 2014 as per his request by letter of January 3, 2014. Reason given by Lambert was due to his personal schedule. The Board thanked Lambert for his contribution during his tenure as a Chairman.
The Board also dismissed James Hassell as a member of the Board representing Saba, and Ivan Berkel who represented St. Eustatius, effective immediately. Their dismissal is in connection with the setting up of two new utility companies on the islands of Saba and St. Eustatius. The Board thanked Hassell and Berkel for their contributions during their tenure.
"It was a historical moment last Friday to call the first shareholders meeting where Sint Maarten is 100 per cent in charge of NV GEBE. The company belongs solely to the people of this country.
"We have gone back to basics to create a brighter future for Sint Maarten, and have achieved this within a short period of time. The previous National Alliance led government left NV GEBE up in the air where absolutely nothing was done over a 12-month period. Nothing was achieved for the people during that period of time.
"After I took over in mid-June, I made it a priority in my back to basics approach to have a plan of action made to bring GEBE home to the people of this country. This was achieved early December, a mere five-months since I became Minister.
"GEBE can now move forward in tackling pertinent issues relevant to the people, and infrastructural needs of this country. Some of these entail a reduction in the fuel clause and investment in alternative renewable energy sources, waste to energy, switching from heavy fuel to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Has (LPG), water and sewage infrastructure investments. I would like to see NV GEBE starting to invest in our sewage system and infrastructure for the entire Dutch side of the island.
"I congratulate the new board and look forward to a plan of action regarding the strategic development of our utility company. I wish the members strength and wisdom as they go about their new tasks in taking NV GEBE to another level and creating a brighter future for Sint Maarten," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Monday.
The meeting last Friday was chaired by Romelio Maduro.
Minister Lake proudly signed the attendance list for the meeting on behalf of Sint Maarten, the sole shareholder of NV GEBE.
In order to avoid any semblance of conflict of interest, the task carried out within the Cabinet by Veronica Jansen-Webster as these pertain to NV GEBE has been shifted to Senior Policy Advisor Joseph Richardson.
Minister Lake is very appreciative in the manner Julius Lambert functioned as Chairman of the Supervisory Board, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
The Minister also looks forward to meeting Julius Lambert to personally express his gratitude on behalf of the shareholder of NV GEBE and its people.
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R, Joseph Richardson, NV GEBE Managing Director Romelio Maduro and Minister Hon. Maurice Lake.