WILLEMSTAD - Parliamentarian Steven Croes of the PAR party has joined the movement to halt excessive development on Curaçao’s beaches. While the addition of basic amenities such as toilets and showers to beaches is welcomed, the construction of large-scale projects that ruin the authenticity of these natural spaces is unacceptable. Croes has aligned himself with the campaign to collect signatures in opposition to government plans for large developments at several beaches, including Jeremi, Lagun, and the increasingly discussed Caracasbaai.
Croes has formally requested a parliamentary meeting with Minister of Health, Environment, and Nature, Gilmar Pisas, to address various concerns related to the alarming developments taking place on the beaches of Banda Bou. He is particularly interested in learning whether the minister has consulted with residents of the areas around Jeremi, Lagun, and neighboring communities, as well as the Vision Banda Bou (VIBA) organization, which represents local residents. He emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of the community, especially those who are unhappy with the ongoing developments.
Croes also raised several questions about the project’s financial aspects, such as how much money has been allocated to these developments and when the decision was made by the Council of Ministers. He inquired which companies were awarded the contracts and when work is expected to begin. Once the construction is completed, Croes asked who would manage and operate the hospitality establishments at these locations, and how the decision-making process unfolded. Moreover, he asked the minister about the balance between preserving the authenticity and heritage of the beaches and pushing forward modern development projects.
In addition to the negative impacts of these constructions on the environment, Croes pointed out that millions of florins are being spent on unnecessary large-scale concrete structures, funds that could be better allocated elsewhere—such as in the education sector. He highlighted the ongoing extreme heat, which is affecting the youth and workers on the island, while no plans for proper shading or long-term solutions have been proposed.
Croes remains attentive to the minister’s response and the progress of this critical discussion regarding Curaçao’s beach development.