WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao’s Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas is urging a shift in perspective regarding the development of the Lagun and Jeremi beach areas. During a public forum organized by the government yesterday, Pisas proposed forming a task force to address the concerns of the local community and stakeholders in these regions. He emphasized that residents, experts, and organizations need to collaborate to find solutions that are acceptable to all parties.
For some time, the residents of Lagun and Jeremi have expressed concern over planned development projects in their areas. According to Pisas, designs for the beaches have been created by young architects who offer a fresh, modern approach to development. He stressed that older generations should be open to these changes, recognizing that the world is constantly evolving. "As a leader, I want to stand behind this vision so that I can be proud of the progress I’ve achieved for Curaçao," Pisas said.
Multiple issues were raised during the forum. One major criticism was the lack of involvement of local residents in the planning process for Lagun and Jeremi's development. Pisas acknowledged this concern and promised to engage more actively with the local population. He also considered suggestions from Parliament member Steven Croes, who advocated for involving all stakeholders to prevent misunderstandings.
Pisas stated that swift action is necessary, as there are reserved funds for the beach developments that need to be utilized soon. If not, the funds may expire and be redirected for other purposes. To avoid this, he urged the task force to deliver concrete solutions within a few weeks.
Legal Concerns
Meanwhile, legal expert Jeff Sybesma warned that construction on Curaçao's public beaches, such as Lagun, could potentially violate the law. According to Sybesma, beaches are legally owned by the state and can only be sold or used by third parties with special permission.
He highlighted that any construction reducing public beach space without proper legal authority might be illegal, as these matters must be regulated by national legislation. "The Parliament governs the beaches, not the government," Sybesma remarked.
The proposed task force will include representatives from the government, local residents, the environmental organization Carmabi, the public land management body Domeinbeheer, the Ministry of Traffic, Transportation and Spatial Planning, and the architects involved in the beach development projects.