WILLEMSTAD – The developers of a proposed international horse racing track in Curaçao are demanding a parliamentary investigation into nearly two decades of government delays, accusing successive administrations of failing to honor agreements dating back to 2007 and leaving the project in prolonged uncertainty.
Hipódromo Internacional de Curaçao Almirante Brión (HICAB) has formally requested the intervention of the Curaçao Parliament, arguing that the continued absence of the necessary legislation and permits has prevented the development of the planned horse racing facility.
In a letter dated October 21, HICAB called on Member of Parliament Gilbert Doran to urgently organize a parliamentary meeting to examine the situation and summon Minister of Justice Shalten Hato to provide an explanation.
According to HICAB director Johan Martina, agreements concerning permits and the legal framework for horse racing and associated betting activities have remained unfulfilled since 2007.
The organization maintains that the prolonged uncertainty has obstructed the development of a project intended to establish an international horse racing facility on the island.
HICAB is now asking Parliament to investigate how successive governments have handled the initiative and determine why the necessary administrative and legislative steps have not been completed.
The requested investigation would examine the original agreements, the government institutions involved, and the obstacles that have prevented the project from advancing.
Martina believes that Parliament should also examine the question of ministerial responsibility, including whether decisions or failures to act by successive government officials contributed to the delays.
According to the developers, the situation has caused damage to the initiative, although the information provided does not specify the financial extent of those losses.
HICAB argues that a project with such a long history deserves transparency and a formal explanation from the government about the reasons for its continued stagnation.
The organization is seeking more than an explanation of the current licensing situation. It wants Parliament to establish accountability for the decisions and administrative processes that have affected the project over the years.
The developers have also requested a concrete timetable for addressing the outstanding regulatory issues.
Whether Parliament will agree to launch an investigation or schedule a hearing on the matter remains unclear.
The allegations concerning government delays and unfulfilled agreements are those of HICAB. No response from Minister Hato or the government was included in the information provided.