WILLEMSTAD – During the budget deliberations, Parliamentarian Ana-Maria Pauletta (PAR) questioned Minister Charles Cooper (MFK) about allegations that he directed asphalt work to be assigned to two specific companies. Rather than providing a direct answer, Minister Cooper lashed out at Pauletta, suggesting she take the matter to the Public Prosecutor's Office for investigation.
Pauletta's inquiry was based on two letters dated August 22 and August 24, 2022, signed by Frenssel Mercelina, the interim director of Public Works. In the first letter, Mercelina asked "Your Excellency" to engage two companies to repave a road in poor condition, with Cooper's alleged approval. The second letter reportedly proposed assigning the work to the same two companies.
Raising concerns about potential monopolization in the asphalt sector, Pauletta warned that such practices could edge out smaller companies, leaving larger contractors to dominate the market. However, Minister Cooper deflected the issue, reiterating that Pauletta should take her concerns to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The matter remains unresolved, with questions about transparency and fair competition in the sector still unanswered.