PM: "The reduction of the burden that energy costs put on the population is a high priority"
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams further elucidated on the Motion that was passed by the Democratic Party Faction in Parliament calling for the lowering of electricity and water costs for the population of the Country. Prime Minister Wescot-Williams stressed that a reduction in energy costs coupled with the use of sustainable energy essential in providing release with regards to energy costs: "The Motion that was passed in Parliament initiated by the Democratic Party Faction stressed that in some way the connection needs to be made in order to explore a relief by GEBE for the people of St. Maarten with regards to their utility bills. For many years GEBE St. Maarten supported and subsidized the operations of GEBE on Saba and Statia. Now that St. Maarten operates independently money should now be saved since we no longer subsidize Saba and Statia. The request from the Democratic Party is that that saving be emphasized to reduce the cost to the people of St. Maarten and I would think it logical to have that saving be applied to the population. My suggestion to the Democratic Party in Parliament was firstly to with GEBE and flesh out the financial components to make this possible," explained Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that it is necessary to also explore ways in which Government can support in the investment of alternative energy and means of energy production that will further reduce energy costs. "Secondly, I believe that the Government should increasingly be looking at ways to assist citizens to get alternative sources of Energy. For the average person this would involve an investment and Government needs to look at how we can promote and assist that process. The reduction of the burden that energy costs put on the population is a high priority," stressed the PM.