WILLEMSTAD – The government watchdog Stichting Bureau Toezicht en Normering Overheidsentiteiten (SBTNO) has raised no objection to the appointment of former Aqualectra director Darick Jonis as both a member and chair of the Supervisory Board (RvC) of CDM Holding. However, the organization has issued a sharp warning about the lack of transparency and the prevalence of cronyism in appointment procedures for public entities. 

According to SBTNO, Jonis meets the qualifications required for the role of general advisor, “thanks in part to his years of experience at Aqualectra and his background in engineering and leadership.” He will serve as both a board member and chair of CDM Holding's supervisory board. 

Despite Jonis’s qualifications, SBTNO has expressed serious concerns about the overall recruitment and selection process for supervisory board members at state-owned enterprises. The organization notes a troubling lack of transparency and objectivity, suggesting that many nominations appear to be politically motivated, often lacking a clear procedure or alignment with established profiles. 

“There is still no independent body overseeing these procedures, despite repeated recommendations over the years,” SBTNO stated in its advisory. 

The organization is now urging the government and the Council of Ministers to implement structural reforms, including the introduction of a transparent and independent selection process and the revision of commissioner profile requirements. SBTNO warns that without these reforms, the risk of nepotism and the recycling of the same individuals in public roles will continue to undermine the integrity of Curaçao’s public sector governance. 

The case highlights a broader issue affecting Curaçao’s state-owned companies, where concerns about political interference and opaque practices continue to erode public confidence in the system.