WILLEMSTAD - Former Prime Minister Ivar Asjes confirmed his presence to testify in the framework of the Parliamentary inquiry on the topic of the New Otrobanda Hospital (HNO). Last month, Asjes sent a letter to the President of Parliament indicating that he is indeed willing to testify in a public session. Additionally, Asjes submitted a report to Parliament that provides an account of the period when he served as Prime Minister of Curaçao, from June 7, 2013, to August 31, 2015.
Asjes says he has always advocated for complete transparency, and his account emphasizes that the Asjes Cabinet heeded Parliament's motion of April 11, 2013, not to construct the hospital on the Amstel site but preferably in Otrobanda. Furthermore, all advice received by the Asjes Cabinet at that time from (U)SONA, the Ministry of Finance, and SOAB indicated and/or confirmed that the construction of a new hospital in Otrobanda would mean an additional investment of 25 million guilders. The Ministry of Finance even advised at that time that the construction of a new hospital in Otrobanda would represent 100 million guilders less in debt relief compared to construction on the Amstel site. In its advice dated December 12, 2013, the Ministry of Finance indicated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Asjes Cabinet on September 20, 2013, was instrumental in reducing the final amount for debt relief, predicted to be 131 million to 32 million guilders.
"So, all the documents and advice provided by (U)SONA, the Ministry of Finance, and SOAB to the Asjes Cabinet clearly indicate that the construction and operation of the new hospital in Otrobanda was a responsible decision. For this reason, the Asjes Cabinet was able to make the funds available to start the construction process of the new hospital in Otrobanda after 50 years of public discussion. By the end of my term as Prime Minister of Curaçao, the HNO project was still on schedule and within budget. The fact is that, until August 31, 2015, (U)SONA had utilized 87 million guilders, which is 21% of the total budget of 421 million guilders allocated for the project," according to Asjes.
For Ivar Asjes, it is an honor to have served as Prime Minister of Curaçao for more than two years. "I performed my duties honestly, in accordance with my conscience, and always tried to lead our country in a constructive manner." According to Asjes, his cabinet made a significant contribution to bringing order to public finances in Curaçao. The result was a total operational financial surplus of 175 million guilders, distributed over the years 2013 (121 million), 2014 (42 million), and 2015 (12 million). This was achieved while his cabinet also made substantial social investments for the well-being of Curaçao. Hence, the statistical figures for the year 2015 confirm that the efforts of the Asjes Cabinet until August 31, 2015, contributed to increased employment, modest economic growth, and a strong liquidity position for Curaçao, Asjes concluded.
Front photo: Ivar Asjes (r) during his time as Prime Minister
