St. Maarten Private Eye

Planning for the Future

A few years ago the Federal government jacked up gas prices and taxes and caused the French side to find new suppliers. The last Texaco in Marigot has now closed it's doors and Artsen Shell appears to be hanging on by the skin of it's teeth. The Dutch side stations all suffered and if I recall correctly, the taxes had to be reduced so they could compete a little better and keep their doors open.

Our economic affairs department and private sector have been unable to offer up any ideas to ease the burden of recent food and oil prices on the public and I have yet to see an indication that any of them really comprehend that the problems of today are nothing compared to the problems that are coming. It's not about 'tightening our belts' and 'weathering the storm', it's about the need for a fundamental change in how we live, think and consume, times are a changing and there will be no choice. The Growth and Consume Party is starting to wind down my friends and St. Maarten needs to prepare for a knockout hangover.

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In the meantime, although govt could offer no help, we here at SXM PE do have some information that can ease the burden for you just a tad.

Gas price on the Dutch side - 2.50 Nafs per liter (approx $1.39)

Gas Price in Gess La Savane - 1.00 Euro per liter (exchange $1.45)

Gas Price at the station by Boo Boo Jam - 1.11 Euro per liter (exchange $1.11)

The gas station by Boo Boo Jam is still taking the $ as an even 1 for 1 exchange at the pump. I saved $15 filling my tank there today.

Fundamentally though, it not going to be getting better, there is much much more to come and we can either acknowledge, accept, adapt and try to give ourselves the best chances we can, or we can resist and certainly lose. The culture and blinkered thinking coming from our governments, of growth, development and consumption, without consideration for the consequences and without planning for the future must end.

Unfortunately I do not see the leadership or vision coming from any of our politicians, or wannabe politicians. None of them have come out with a real energy policy for the island, one that includes a GEBE led solar expansion, where they offer credits on your bills in exchange for roof space. GEBE could mass order panels and install them so they feed into the grid, instead of investing in new oil generators. It's a big job but it is a financially viable plan, it would create jobs, it would stimulate the economy and it would prepare the island for the future.

Or how about a Public transport policy, one that includes a public/private partnership to offer comprehensive schedules and routes with buses that run on the used cooking oil from the island's restaurants. Another public/private partnership could be created for mini cabs, all electric and with meters, thus eliminating gypsy cars and providing the means for short trips and less parking hell. By partnership I mean between government and the employees, who would get decent salaries, health care and dividends from profits yearly depending upon service.

Now, some would say that these ideas would not fly here, the general public don;t really understand or care about climate change and the need to invest in clean renewable energy. It's not a vote winner and for sure the taxi and bus drivers would resist outright the plans I have suggested above. They have is very cushy right now while we the public have to put up with their crap. Laveist's sketchy plans with the bus drivers are a mess, there is no real routing and old people don't ride free. And as for the Taxi drivers, they really don't care much to transport us locals and prices are out of most of our reach. They were created to serve tourists and thats all they care about. F**k em I say, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Seriously. Do you think there is one Taxi driver or bus driver that declares every dollar that comes into their hand? It is a totally unregulated business in regards to taxes, there is zero inspection.

I would agree that these ideas, logical and sensible as they sound to many of you, are not big issues for the public and could lose votes. But I think maybe thats just because no one has championed or explained well enough the urgent need for, and the benefits of, such radical policies. We have had huge investments in the harbor and airport, we have a new government building and Theo's beautification projects.

Maybe the next $100 million can be invested in something for the future.

Hady Nufyet

Gas goes up 30 cents per litre as of Friday - 16th May 2008

Energy and Water | Environment | Hady Nufyet's blog | 4 comments | read more