MPs question legality of GEBE disconnections without confirmed policy

GREAT BAY--Members of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg and Darryl York have renewed their demands for clarity on GEBE's disconnection policy, questioning why customers, including elderly residents, people with medical needs and families with young children, continue to face electricity disconnections while the status of the utility company's policy remains unclear.

The issue resurfaced during the continuation of the 2027 national budget debate, when MPs challenged Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina to provide definitive answers about the policy's completion, the legal authority under which GEBE disconnects customers and the safeguards available to vulnerable households.

Roseburg told Parliament that she had previously been informed that the disconnection policy was nearing completion and was being reviewed by GEBE's Supervisory Board. However, she said no clear update had been provided despite repeated questions.

The MP expressed frustration that vulnerable residents continue to be affected while Parliament awaits confirmation of the policy's status.

According to Roseburg, senior citizens, persons who rely on electricity for medical reasons and households with small children are among those facing disconnections.

She questioned how long these circumstances would continue without a finalized policy establishing clear rules and protections for affected customers.

Roseburg Offers Draft Policy to GEBE

Roseburg reminded the Prime Minister that she had already prepared a draft disconnection policy and was willing to make it available to GEBE to assist with completing the process.

She asked whether Mercelina would be willing to receive her proposal and forward it to the company if its own policy remained unfinished.

The MP stressed that customers should understand the circumstances under which their electricity or water services may be disconnected and that vulnerable groups should receive greater protection.

Her concerns focused particularly on seniors, people with medical conditions requiring continuous utility services and families with young children.

Roseburg also made clear that the issue has been outstanding for an extended period and that continued uncertainty was unacceptable.

York Questions Legal Basis for Disconnections

MP Darryl York supported the call for answers, telling Parliament that several MPs, particularly Roseburg, had been raising questions about GEBE's disconnection policy for more than a year.

York said he had received information suggesting that the policy had already been completed, but wanted official confirmation from the Prime Minister before drawing conclusions.

He asked Mercelina to establish the precise status of the document and clarify whether it had been finalized and was in effect.

More significantly, York questioned the authority under which GEBE was currently disconnecting customers if a completed disconnection policy was not in place.

He also asked whether customer disconnections would be legal in the absence of such a policy.

The questions placed the focus not only on the utility company's treatment of vulnerable customers, but also on the legal and administrative framework governing its actions.

The debate did not establish that GEBE lacked the legal authority to disconnect customers. Rather, York requested clarification of that authority and the status of the company's policy.

Roseburg Insists Public Must Hear Answers

The issue became a point of contention when Mercelina indicated that he needed additional time to research several follow-up questions and offered either to return to Parliament or provide written responses.

Roseburg objected to leaving the disconnection issue to written correspondence, arguing that the matter was too important to be addressed without a public explanation.

"I would like the disconnection information for the public to be known. I don't want that in writing," she told Parliament.

She maintained that the issue had remained unresolved for more than a year and that the public deserved to hear the answers directly.

Roseburg indicated that she would not object to written responses on other matters if the Prime Minister could address the disconnection question immediately.

Her objection was formally supported during the proceedings, prompting further discussion about how the Prime Minister's outstanding responses should be handled.

MP Sarah Wescot-Williams subsequently sought clarification about whether the written answers could be provided during the ongoing budget proceedings rather than at a later date.

The discussion resulted in Mercelina agreeing to submit additional information by 3:00 p.m. to facilitate the continuation of the debate.

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