WILLEMSTAD - "Believe me, I have to bite my lips not to mention the purchase of Campo, not to dwell on the draining Ennia issue, draining especially for pensioners, or the issues surrounding the submission of the 2024 budget." These were the striking words of the Governor of Curaçao, Lucille George-Wout, in her New Year's speech. 

She opted for a notably different approach, promising a speech without the traditional look back or forward and without critical comments on current political issues. As she stated herself, "This year, you can all stand here with peace of mind. For many, that may be disappointing, but for a few of you, it is undoubtedly a relief." 

Instead, she focused on the historical figure, Doctor Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez, or 'Doctor', who was recently declared a national hero of Curaçao. She cited his vision of the relationship between Curaçao and the Netherlands: "Doctor advocates organic solidarity with the Netherlands; he does not wish for full integral autonomy for the State of Curaçao." 

The governor quoted Doctor Da Costa Gomez: "The just governance of the Kingdom has everywhere aroused admiration from all colonial powers. We do not believe that we in our Kingdom need to fear for a moment the suppression of the right thought as the basis for relations in the Dutch State." 

Furthermore, she emphasized Doctor's contribution to the new legal order within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Statute for the Kingdom. 

The governor's speech was a call to view current Curaçao through Doctor's perspective and reflect on the extent to which the island and its residents bear individual responsibility. She underscored the need to safeguard social rights and security and collaborate within the Kingdom for the well-being of the people. 

The governor concluded with a personal note about the inspiration she and her husband Herman have received from Doctor over the years and raised a toast with him to a healthy and prosperous 2024.