WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Ishahier Monte is asking Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas to clarify whether the government still intends to reactivate the Curaçao refinery and when operations could realistically resume.
In a letter dated October 6, Monte said questions have resurfaced in the community about the progress of the former Isla refinery, which he described as an important project for employment, investment and Curaçao’s economic development.
Using Article 96 of Parliament’s Rules of Order, Monte asked Pisas to provide the current status of the refinery reactivation process and confirm whether restarting the facility remains government policy.
Prime Minister Pisas in Parliamend during refinery debate
The MP also wants to know whether the government has established an indicative date or concrete timetable for restarting operations.
Monte said any reactivation must address environmental and safety concerns. He therefore asked how the government intends to ensure that renewed refinery operations are sustainable, safe and compliant with applicable environmental requirements.
Employment is another major issue raised in the letter.
Monte wants the government to indicate whether former refinery employees would receive priority if operations resume or whether the operator would conduct an entirely new recruitment process.
He also asked Pisas to provide estimates of the number of direct and indirect jobs that could be generated by restarting the refinery.
The refinery has long been considered one of Curaçao’s most important industrial assets, and its future has remained a major economic and political issue following the end of the previous operating arrangement.
Monte said the public needs greater clarity about the government’s plans and the direction being pursued for projects with potentially significant social and economic consequences.
The MP requested written answers from Pisas.