Guadeloupeans must pay for water, staff must collaborate strongly to fulfill their missions, SMGEAG must tighten its belt to avoid shipwreck… the new president of the operator, Ferdy Louisy, calls on all parties to save the resource and the structure that ensures its distribution. If everyone gets involved, in 6 months, the first results will be palpable, he says.
Since October 30, 2024, Ferdy Louisy is the new president of the Joint Water and Sanitation Management Union of Guadeloupe (SMGEAG). He takes the reins of the water operator at a time when it is in the red. The deficit of this structure, whose mission is of the utmost importance, amounts to 15 million euros, by its own admission.
This financial hole is colossal, when we know that at the time of its creation, in September 2021, the water union did not inherit any debt.
For the new president, the warning signs were ignored.
Before receiving him on the television news set “Guadeloupe Evening“, yesterday (Monday December 2, 2024), we took stock of the challenges facing Ferdy Louisy ; the Guadeloupean population, SMGEAG staff and the State have high expectations of this new governance.
SMGEAG; what challenges for the new president?
•
©Lydia Quérin – Guadeloupe the 1st
Today, Ferdy Louisy demands both the confidence of Guadeloupeans, but also their strong participation. Defaults are no longer an option.
It guarantees it, moreover : SMGEAG will also make efforts.
The president also announced a timetable : the end of the water towers by 2026. By then, operating expenses will be drastically reduced and a voluntary departure plan will be implemented, with the collaboration of staff, he hopes.
We are going to further intensify the various repairs of (…) Today, the agenda is to say that, in 6 months, the financial situation of SMGEAG must be rectified. In 6 months, we should have started the voluntary departure plan. In 6 months, we must have convincing results on a 50% reduction in operating costs. In 6 months, there must be quality water, in quantity, in the taps of Guadeloupeans.
Ferdy Louisy, president of SMGEAG
Ferdy Louisy was the guest of Christelle Théophile. A full interview to (re)watch below:
We have almost reached a point of no return, if there is not an immediate and strong reaction.
Ferdy Louisy, president of SMGEAG
Interview with Ferdy Louisy, president of SMGEAG – 02/12/2024.
•
©Guadeloupe La 1ère
