~ Will seek meeting one last time ~
PHILIPSBURG--Commissioner Clyde Van Putten of Statia on Sunday stressed that the government of Statia will not engage in nor tolerate a "Mexican stand-off" with its representative on GEBE Shareholding Foundation Max Pandt and will take the high road and act in the best interest of the people of Statia.
While he did not define "the high road" Van Putten said the Statia government will act, should Pandt not meet with government, and continue to be a roadblock in the execution of the shares transfer agreement between St. Maarten, Saba and Statia.
The agreement signed last October, has to be executed by the foundation. It provides for the setting up of independent energy companies on Saba and Statia. However, in keeping with the rules of the corporate structure of the foundation all members must be present in foundation meetings for decisions to be carried. Pandt, it was explained, has reservations about the agreement and consequently is reportedly not giving his support.
As he (Pandt) represents Statia, Van Putten re-iterated that the government of Statia stands ready to speak with Pandt and hear his concerns and, possibly, incorporate some of his suggestions in the agreement. "But we will not allow the process to be stalled. If Max Pandt has a problem with what's on paper then he must say so, but not stall the process," Van Putten said, adding that efforts to meet with Pandt have all proven unsuccessful thus far.
Van Putten said that Pandt had complained that he was not aware of the agreement and not given instructions by the government of Statia. "Which was strange to us because former Commissioner of Energy Glen Schimdt had the instruction to inform him and let him know what the position of the government is," Van Putten said.
Van Putten and a delegation from Statia will be in St. Maarten today to meet with Minister of Energy Theo Heyliger and other stakeholders at which time Pandt will again be approached for a meeting. "If he can't find himself within the agreement then he has to draw a conclusion. Government is willing to listen, but government will not back off of an agreement that we agree with," Van Putten said.
"Our ultimate goal is to guarantee good, affordable energy on the islands, guarantee the legal position of workers, including their social plan, no possibility of benefit loss and years the employees build up in terms of their pensions etc. We will try one more effort to meet with him. We are now taking the high road.
"A strong energy company on Statia is important and we won't let it be stalled by Max Pandt and his personal feelings. This is not a Mexican standoff where all of us try to get position and see who is stronger. This is about a decision that the government of Statia conscientiously made. This Mexican standoff, which he is seemingly willing to put it to, the government of Statia will not tolerate anymore. We will act in the interest of our people, Statia wants to move on," Van Putten concluded.
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