WILLEMSTAD - Steven Croes, a Member of Parliament for the PAR party, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, requesting documents related to the agreement between Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK) and Oryx Midstream Private Ltd (Oryx Midstream) ahead of the public meeting scheduled for October 4, 2024.
On July 1, 2024, RdK signed an agreement with Oryx Midstream. Due to significant uncertainty surrounding the deal, Croes had previously raised questions about the agreement. However, he states that the answers he received have been unsatisfactory.
As an opposition MP, Croes stresses the need for transparency and clarity about how RdK and Oryx Midstream reached the agreement. He has now limited his questions to issues that cannot be concealed by any non-disclosure agreement.
To finalize a contract with Oryx Midstream, RdK had to shift its operations from refining to focusing on "blending," "storage," and "shipment." Croes insists that this strategic shift should have been based on objective criteria before any decision was made.
In his letter, Croes specifically requests four key documents from the government: the studies, proposals, approvals, and advice that led to the decision to move away from refining and towards blending and storage at RdK; the criteria used by RdK and the government in selecting a new partner after this strategic shift; the invitation extended to potential operators to apply for the role; and an explanation of how Oryx was ultimately chosen as the best candidate.
Croes urges the government to provide these documents as soon as possible. Since this information should be readily available to RdK management, Croes expects to receive it promptly, allowing sufficient time for preparation ahead of the public meeting on October 4, 2024, which will focus on this critical topic.