WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Ishahier Monte has submitted 11 questions to Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) Charetti America-Francisca regarding the functioning, results and use of public funds by SEFBA.
SEFBA plays an important role within Curaçao’s communities. The organization’s mission includes strengthening neighborhood centers, promoting social, educational and cultural development, and contributing to improving the quality of life in neighborhoods across the island. To carry out these responsibilities, SEFBA receives financial support from the government.
Monte argues that precisely because SEFBA has an important social mission and receives public funding, both the government and Parliament must have a clear understanding of how the organization operates, what results it achieves and whether it has the necessary capacity to effectively fulfill its mandate.
“When an organization receives public funds, citizens have the right to know not only how the money is spent, but also what results and added value that investment generates for our community,” Monte stated.
In his questions, the parliamentarian asks the minister how the government evaluates SEFBA’s performance, which performance indicators are used and what concrete results the organization has achieved in Curaçao’s neighborhoods over the past three years.
Monte also wants clarification on whether all positions within SEFBA’s board of directors and supervisory board are properly filled. If vacancies exist, he asks how these affect the continuity and functioning of the organization.
Another key issue raised by Monte concerns the management of government subsidies. The MFK parliamentarian is requesting an overview of the subsidies SEFBA has received over the past five years, whether the organization has complied with its reporting obligations and how the government supervises the correct and effective use of public funds.
Monte also wants to know what social, economic and, where applicable, financial benefits Curaçao has received as a result of its investment in SEFBA.
According to Monte, the purpose of his questions is not simply to identify possible shortcomings but mainly to determine how SEFBA can be strengthened so it can better fulfill its important role in society.
He is asking the government whether it intends to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the organization and, if necessary, take measures to strengthen SEFBA’s professional, financial and organizational capacity.
“If SEFBA has an important role in the development of our neighborhoods, then it is in everyone’s interest that the organization is strong, professional and effective,” Monte said. “Good governance, transparency, financial support and results must go hand in hand.”
The parliamentarian concluded by asking whether SEFBA’s results are proportional to the financial support it receives from the government.
According to Monte, every investment made with public funds should, whenever possible, translate into measurable results and added value for the people of Curaçao.
“An investment without results is not progress,” Monte said.