WILLEMSTAD - Minister Charles Cooper recently held a crucial meeting with the Financial Supervision Committee (CFT) to deliberate on the allocation of funds for the implementation of road maintenance plans and the development of the Rif and Colon area.
Acknowledging the pressing need for road maintenance in Curaçao, Minister Cooper unveiled a comprehensive multi-year plan (MOP) aimed at addressing this issue. The successful execution of this plan is contingent on securing the necessary funding, prompting Minister Cooper to engage with the CFT for deliberations.
During the meeting, Minister Cooper outlined the following key points:
Priority Status: The road maintenance plan has been designated a top priority.
National Investment Program: The government is actively crafting a comprehensive National Investment Program (Nationale Investerings Agenda), with the MOP as an integral component thereof.
Inter-Ministerial Collaboration: Close collaboration is envisaged among relevant ministries during the execution of the MOP.
Utilization of Vehicle Tax Revenues: Funding for the plan will be sourced from tax revenues generated through vehicle taxes.
Ensuring Effective Execution: Ensuring the smooth execution of the MOP is of paramount importance.
Capacity Reinforcement: Reinforcing the capacity of the Public Works Service (OW) will be undertaken with support from 'Rijkswaterstaat' and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands.
Additionally, the discussions encompassed the development of the Rif and Colon area, where several public and private projects have been implemented in recent years to revitalize the entire region. Topics explored during these discussions included the Ministry of Traffic, Transport, and Urban Planning's (VVRP) role in urban planning management, the identification of potential investors for the area, the establishment of a supervisory structure, and the necessary execution capacity. These deliberations underscore the commitment to the growth and enhancement of key infrastructure and urban areas in Curaçao.