It was surprising to see how many people are employed by our bankrupt GOA, but it was a 9 to 5 protest, by 6pm, they were all home, watching their own performances on TV and social media.
All protestors should look at ‘Blueprint for a Revolution,’ for some ideas how to non-violently, change world order. The very readable and entertaining book by Srdja Popovic, the founder of the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies, is very inspiring. if you had read the book, you’d have a more successful protest.
You cannot make changes if you have to be in front of your TV in slippers with a cold beer in your hand, by 6pm.
I believe this whole 12.6%. business is not going anywhere. Our people are comfortably employed by GOA, and they like the perceived job security, they think they are entitled to it, they complain a bit, but mostly accept their fate and will continue to be unproductive and lackadaisical, to get back at the system. That’s how it works here.
What was very interesting was the signing with Eagle LNG, after a tough negotiation, according to Latie Wever, the interim WEB director.
Minister Glenbert Croes, now in charge of Energy, stepped misty eyed on his soap box, yakking about a historical opportunity, and getting back on track, especially for San Nicholas.
I had a Deja vue.
How many times will they drag us to the same dog and pony show, signing this or that in San Nicolas?
You have to understand they signed a 20-year fuel supply agreement, they don’t really explain, but that is what it is, a very lucrative deal, ripping us off for the next 20 years.
This never went to parliament.
How is that possible?
Coalition member Raiz, complained vehemently, and justly so, about the opaque process and demanded transparency.
But, it’s done.
The previous Citgo agreement went to parliament, the evening before, for five minutes, and this one never did.
Latie Wever announced they worked on a so-called deal, then Glenbert Croes indicated they already signed it, and the ceremony was just a formality. They even got the poor US Consul from Curacao to endorse the circus with his presence, blatantly and disrespectfully signing a multi-million-dollar deal, on their own.
The agreement was brokered between MinPres and Eagle LNG when Richard Eman was in the picture, then it went to Glenbert Croes while Richard Eman resigned as CEO and President of Utilities.
Why did he resign? What was he uncomfortable with?
Now it is Glenbert ’s baby.
The monthly purchase of fuel for Aruba over 20 years, guarantees the sustainability of the Croes family for two decades.
How confident are you that our interests as an island-nation will be protected?
A sealed 20-year deal, not even discussed in parliament, and it means that WEB has to convert now to gas fired boilers, about a 50-million investment, and we must run a pipeline from San Nicholas to WEB through residential areas.
Up until now, GOA owned the fuel oil supplier company, now it goes to Eagle LNG.
And not ONE WORD about sustainable energy, solar and/or wind for the consumer.
We might have elections soon if RAIZ pulls the plug over this serious rip and violation of coalition agreements.
