Bonaire's Lieutenant Governor defends transparency in construction file investigation
Bonaire's Lieutenant Governor clarifies the process behind an investigation into a construction file linked to a former deputy's relative, countering claims of withheld information. The findings were shared with the Island Council and public, ensuring accountability in local governance.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Subject | Investigation into construction file of former deputy's relative |
| Location | Bonaire |
| Initial Action | Construction work halted in May 2025 |
| Independent Inquiry | Commissioned by Executive Council |
| Follow-up Investigation | Focused on conflict of interest, influence, or favoritism |
| Disclosure Date | Results shared with Island Council on December 8, 2025 |
| Public Release | Press release issued; results shared with journalist in March 2026 |
| Government Body | Public body of Bonaire |
The Lieutenant Governor of Bonaire oversees the island's executive branch, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. In this case, the role involves addressing allegations of misconduct and maintaining public trust by disclosing investigation results to elected representatives and the public.
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external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Transparent actions by Lieutenant Governor in investigation of construction file of former deputy
Transparency is a key value in our democracy.
Recent local media reports have suggested that the Lieutenant Governor of Bonaire acted without transparency by allegedly refusing to disclose the results of an investigation into a construction file related to a relative of former deputy Cicilia. The Lieutenant Governor strongly disputes this suggestion and provides an explanation of the investigation process and its disclosure.
In May 2025, following a report, construction work was halted for a relative of the then-deputy for Spatial Planning and Development. The Executive Council, in the interests of transparency and to avoid any appearance of improper conduct, decided to commission an independent fact-finding investigation. Based on the findings of this investigation, the Lieutenant Governor decided to initiate a follow-up investigation focused on determining whether there was any (apparent) conflict of interest, influence, or favoritism involving the (former) deputy.
After receiving the results of this follow-up investigation, the Lieutenant Governor shared them with the Island Council on December 8, 2025, thereby making them public. The Lieutenant Governor also issued a press release informing the public about the submission and the key findings.
In response to a public disclosure request, the public body of Bonaire also directly shared the investigation results with a journalist this month.
The Lieutenant Governor regrets that media coverage following this disclosure has implied that information was deliberately withheld. He firmly rejects this insinuation.
The Lieutenant Governor has dutifully and promptly informed the elected representatives—the body tasked with forming a political judgment on the results—of the findings. The conclusions drawn in the media about the publication process of this file are factually incorrect. The Lieutenant Governor therefore hopes that the media outlets drawing these conclusions will reconsider and correct them.
Transparency is a key value in our democracy. The Lieutenant Governor remains committed to upholding this value in the performance of his duties with integrity and conscientiousness.