WILLEMSTAD - The Government of Curaçao has taken note that the news is currently circulating on social media, that a decision has been made by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom in relation to the latest developments concerning the HNO (New Hospital Otrabanda) project.

This situation arose after it became known that a national decision regarding the Outline Agreement was submitted to the Council of State for advice. This has been done in the form of a draft Royal Decree.

The draft Royal Decree published in the social media is, however, reasoning submitted by the Council of Ministers for advice from the Governor to the Council of State. Since this is a concept, this means that officially no decisions have yet been taken by the Council of Ministers. The proceedings at the Council of State have now been started, but no advice has yet been issued to the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom.

The Government of Curaçao wishes to convey this message clearly to the Curaçao community, by referring to Article 21 of the Rules for the Governor. This stipulates that the Governor does not adopt a national ordinance or a national decree proposed to him / her if he / she considers the ordinance or decision to be in conflict with the Statute, an international regulation, a national law or a general governmental measure. This also applies to interests for which the care or guarantee thereof is a matter for the Kingdom.

In the event that the Governor decides not to adopt the aforementioned document, he / she immediately notifies the King as head of the government of the Kingdom. The procedure that follows is that the Kingdom Council of Ministers will then respond to the Council of State before a decision is taken. After advice has been obtained from the Council of State, a royal decree will determine whether the national decree can still be adopted by the Governor, since it does not conflict with the aforementioned interests. In the event that it is decided that the Royal Decree is nevertheless in conflict, this will be announced in the official journal.

With this, the Government of Curaçao hopes to be able to neutralize the various reports and opinions on social media on the basis of correct reporting. In the meantime, the government awaits the procedure in all calmness and looks forward to the outcome with confidence.