WILLEMSTAD – The publication of a recent overview by the Stichting Bureau Toezicht en Normering Overheidsentiteiten (SBTNO) has sparked renewed debate over corporate governance within Curaçao's government-owned companies and foundations, with 71 supervisory board positions reportedly still vacant.
According to the figures cited, the vacancies represent approximately 34 percent of all commissioner positions across government-owned entities, prompting questions about the pace of appointments under the current administration.
The concerns were raised publicly by Luigi Faneyte, an advisor to the PAR parliamentary faction, who questioned why so many positions responsible for oversight and governance remain unfilled.
Among the issues raised are whether sufficient priority is being given to good corporate governance, whether the role of supervisory board members is being fully recognized, and whether political considerations have contributed to delays in making appointments.
Faneyte also questioned the impact of the vacancies on government-owned companies and foundations that continue to operate with fewer supervisory board members than prescribed. He further called for clarification from SBTNO regarding the situation and asked how long the positions are expected to remain vacant.
In his remarks, Faneyte noted that the MFK-led government, which holds a majority of 13 seats in the Curaçao Parliament, has the mandate and responsibility to appoint commissioners to state-owned enterprises and foundations in order to ensure proper governance, oversight and transparency.
At the same time, he acknowledged what he described as a positive development, stating that the governing party has shown a degree of inclusiveness by appointing individuals who had previously been critical of MFK. However, he also argued that many qualified professionals who have been waiting for years to contribute to the country's development have yet to be given an opportunity.
Faneyte concluded by saying that the SBTNO overview does not answer the central question raised by the figures.
"The list leaves one important question unanswered: Why are there still 71 commissioner positions vacant?" he said.
He added that the situation ultimately raises another broader question: whether the vacancies are the result of a shortage of qualified candidates or a lack of political will to make the appointments.
The government has not yet publicly responded to the questions raised regarding the vacant supervisory board positions.