Privatisation foundation Curaçao to be dissolved

September 16, 2010 5:38 AM

Curaçao's privatisation foundation "StIP" will definitely be dissolved, said the new Commissioner of Finance Ivar Asjes (PS).

Although there has been talk of getting rid of this institute for years, the new commissioner fundamentally disagrees with keeping government-companies "at a distance" and insists the incoming MFK/PS/MAN Executive Council will take action now.

According to Asjes, the previous PAR/PNP/FOL coalition only discussed the dissolution of StIP, but actual action always remained forthcoming. The new commissioner said this government will take action during its next meeting.

The current StIP chairman Joël da Silva Gois and board member Henri Emerenciana will both receive a letter informing them they are no longer on the StIP board. According to the commissioner, Da Silva Gois' term expired mid last year and Emerenciana's term has expired in the meantime as well.

Asjes emphasised that he and the new Executive Council do not support keeping the properties of the people at a distance. "If you want to assume responsibility then you must become a member of a political party, participate in an election and be chosen. Then one can bear responsibility."

"I do not believe in the idea that if one is chosen by the people, one has to transfer one's responsibility to third parties. You were chosen to bear responsibility and that's what the members of this Executive Council will do."

The commissioner emphasised that bearing responsibility also means you answer for the consequences.

For years, whenever there's a new Executive Council all members on boards of government foundations and on supervisory boards of directors at government-owned companies receive a letter in which they are asked to hand in their resignation. This Executive Council also forwarded a similar letter.

Asjes emphasized that it considers a request. "You must not see this as a letter of dismissal. It is a request to the persons concerned to take the honourable way out. In accordance with the law on good corporate governance there is currently a question of a transitional period, which applies until their term is over."

The commissioner called on the board members appointed by the former Executive Council to "do the right thing." He warned that in conformity with that same law, education requirements were introduced for supervisory board directors and board members as well.

"They must comply with these requirements. I also point out that all who stay on are personally responsible for their conduct in the foundations and government companies in conformity with the new Civil Code."

"I want to stress one thing clearly: we will not accept journalists as members of boards of directors." The PS commissioner was referring to the fact that several journalists were appointed as such under the PAR-led Executive Council.

Asjes added that he still does not understand why Curaçao agreed to a corporate governance code during negotiations with the Netherlands. "I have a question for all supporters: could they point out a similar law in the Netherlands?"

"In the Netherlands, there is only a code for companies quoted on the stock exchange. There is no regulation for government companies."

14 September 2010