WILLEMSTAD – MAN-PIN faction leader Giselle Mc William has raised a series of questions about the future of Curaçao’s refinery and Bullenbaai operations, demanding clarity from Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas on negotiations with potential operators, the financial position of RdK and 2Bays, and whether employees could lose their jobs in a restructuring.
Mc William raised the questions during the parliamentary meeting on Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK) and 2Bays, where the future of Curaçao’s oil infrastructure and the financial sustainability of the companies were discussed.
One of her central questions concerns who the government is currently negotiating with to operate the refinery facilities at Emmastad and Bullenbaai.
Mc William specifically asked whether Global Oil remains involved in those discussions. She accused the government of providing changing accounts about the negotiations and asked Pisas to give Parliament a clear picture of the parties currently at the negotiating table.
She also sought information about plans for asphalt-related activities, asking when the previously discussed “asphalt train” is expected to begin operations.
Another major concern is employment. According to Mc William, employees have been approached in connection with a possible restructuring that could result in a reduction of the workforce.
She asked Pisas to state clearly whether jobs will be eliminated.
“Will employees be laid off, yes or no?” was the central question she put to the Prime Minister.
Mc William also focused heavily on the financial position of RdK and 2Bays. During her intervention, she referred to approximately XCG 40 million in available funds and questioned how quickly those resources could be depleted if the companies continue without substantial new revenue.
Her notes refer to approximately 250 employees and a payroll of more than XCG 3 million. She questioned whether the available financial resources are sufficient to continue covering salaries and other obligations if significant income does not begin flowing into the companies.
According to Mc William, the situation should be regarded as a warning sign if substantial revenue remains absent while millions continue to be spent on payroll and operations.
She consequently asked Parliament to receive, within two weeks, a detailed overview showing how RdK and 2Bays funds have been spent.
The MAN-PIN parliamentarian also questioned the situation surrounding the turbines previously operated by Curaçao Refinery Utilities (CRU). She wants to know why the turbines have to be preserved and whether this is related to maintenance that Global Oil allegedly failed to perform.
Mc William further questioned whether those generating units previously could have been activated relatively quickly to provide additional support to utility company Aqualectra.
She also returned to the government's previous statements regarding VIGOR. According to Mc William, ministers had earlier indicated that Curoil's role would be limited to blending activities. She argued that the eventual outcome involving VIGOR did not produce even those expected activities.
Her intervention reflects broader concerns about how long RdK and 2Bays can continue carrying their current financial obligations while Curaçao waits for sustainable commercial activity to return to the former refinery and Bullenbaai facilities.
Mc William is seeking concrete answers on three issues in particular: who is actually negotiating to operate the facilities, whether restructuring will cost employees their jobs, and how long RdK and 2Bays can financially sustain their current operations without significant new revenue.