TelEm to start moving into
its new building next week
PHILIPSBURG--If all goes well, TelEm, TelCell, TelNet and Smitcoms staff from all branches, with the exception of Simpson Bay and Le Grand Marche, will start moving into the newly constructed TelEm Group of Companies building on Soualiga Drive in Philipsburg as early as next week.
TelEm General Manager Edward Benjamin said preparations and procedures were currently being put in place to ensure that the move did not disrupt the operation of the companies too much.
He said, “In fact we want to make the move as seamless as possible, especially for the customers. They should not be affected by the move, except for having to get the same services at the new location, but this should occur from one day to the next with planning and proper advisories.”
He said customer service and cashier services will be moved during weekends to ensure that the move is done with no inconvenience to the customers. This way the customers could be told in advance that as of Monday of the following week after such a move, they would have to start visiting the TelEm Group of Companies Office on Soualiga Drive.
While the new building will house the three companies, Benjamin said this was not done because of the planned merger of the government owned telecommunication companies. He said, “The plans to build this building, as I understand it, were on the table for over eight years, and I am delightful that it’s finally at the point that we have a new building.”
Regarding the merger, he said based on the request of the notary, some legal processes are taking place, and documentation is being put in place to facilitate the merger.
One of the requirements for the merger of the government owned phone companies which has been approved by the Island Government of St. Maarten is the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer CEO and his management team.
Benjamin said the process of selecting a CEO is not something he is at liberty to speak about. He said regarding the merger that to date, the procedures as set forth by the Notary are being followed to the letter.
No date has been set for the actual merging of the companies.
