WILLEMSTAD - During a televised interview with ex Minister of Economic Development Dr. Steven Martina, he declared that he still eyes his former post and would like to return as minister. The former minister says he is still accountable to all those who voted for him while a candidate on the MAN list during last election.

Martina says that the past eight months, after he resigned, have made a major impact on his life. He said he was very anxious during the first few months because of the pending case against him. He never felt like that before. But Martina says he remained calm because he has done nothing wrong. There were still uncertainties because he did not have the opportunity to defend himself. That changed when he was summoned by the National Criminal Investigation Department. “Then I was able to explain everything, and I became calm. I always said I didn't do anything wrong.”

After the Public Prosecution Service decided to dismiss the case, KdNT submitted a request for Article 15 to the Court to force the Public Prosecutor to prosecute Martina. The former Minister of Economic Development says has endured this process relatively calm because he did not expect a different outcome.

Before Martina became minister, he was the CEO of the insurance company Guardian Group. When minister he approved an increase in the insurance rate which could be seen as a conflict of interest or a way to favor the company he worked for.

According to Martina, he has already been approached by his party and has indicated that he is available for every position, including that of minister. But the party has yet to decide whether they want to nominate him as a candidate. “In any case, I see it as my responsibility to continue as Minister of Economic Development. If I were to stop now, it would not be right for all the people who put their trust in me and the party,” says Martina.

During the absence of Martina, Finance Minister Kenneth Gijsbertha took over the post and at the end of August Giselle Mc William - still a member of parliament for MAN - was sworn in as Minister of Economic Development.

Before she took on the ministry, all the scenarios were discussed with her, Martina states, including the scenario that he would return as a minister. If that happens, Mc William goes back to Parliament.