WILLEMSTAD – Tensions continue to rise between neighborhood group Save Zakitó and the developers behind The View Resort & Marina, a major waterfront project in the Zakitó area. The two parties remain locked in dispute over the project’s legality and environmental impact.
At the heart of the controversy are allegations from Save Zakitó that the construction is violating permit conditions and causing significant ecological harm to the Zakitó lagoon. However, the project’s developer, GMFB Caribbean Holding B.V., firmly denies these accusations, claiming the project complies with regulations and will ultimately benefit the area’s marine environment.
Allegations of Overbuilding and Lagoon Infilling
During a press event on Tuesday, August 6, Save Zakitó spokesperson Percy Ignacio led journalists and supporters through the construction site, pointing out what he described as clear violations.
According to Ignacio, the resort is being built with eleven stories, despite permits allegedly only allowing seven. He also claimed a large portion of the lagoon is being filled in to make space for a marina, which he called “a major ecological disaster.” He urged the public to take and share photos of the site to raise awareness.
Developer Responds: “Claims Are Factually Incorrect”
Adam Kiolle, director of GMFB Caribbean Holding, strongly rejected the allegations. He clarified that the building permit is based on submitted architectural drawings and does not set a fixed height limit. The permit allows for eight buildings and 120 residential units.
Regarding the lagoon, Kiolle explained that it is not being filled but dredged to restore depth and remove contaminated sediment. He emphasized that the filled-in areas to the west are not part of the lagoon but are old salt pans.
He also stated that the dredging work is guided by a plan developed in collaboration with Arcadis, the government's Domain Management office, and Aquifer Advies. Baseline ecological measurements were conducted by consultancy firm Ecovision, which found the lagoon had low biodiversity due to extremely high salinity — a result of discharges from Aqualectra’s water facility. Ecovision reportedly concluded that opening the lagoon’s mouth to the sea would improve its ecological health.
Police Called Amid Heated Confrontation
The press event turned tense when Save Zakitó activists confronted project staff, leading to a police intervention. Officers ordered attendees to leave the property, which, while owned by the government of Curaçao, is currently managed by GMFB for the project’s development.
Save Zakitó claims a recent ruling by the Joint Court of Justice supports their position, stating that the development violates local regulations and construction must be halted. Kiolle disputes this interpretation, citing a July 1, 2025 judgment which upheld the project’s main permits. According to him, the court only required a minor amendment to the maritime permit concerning the load-bearing capacity of a bridge for emergency vehicles. “There is no construction freeze,” Kiolle asserted.
Ongoing Dispute
The confrontation came as Save Zakitó marked its 18-month anniversary. The group says it will continue applying pressure to prevent what it sees as irreversible damage to the western portion of the lagoon. Meanwhile, the developer maintains the project is progressing in consultation with government agencies and in accordance with environmental guidelines.
As the debate continues, the Zakitó case highlights broader tensions on Curaçao between development and environmental conservation.
