Aruba’s Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt, in office since the beginning of 2017, gave an enlightening speech at the swearing in of our new cabinet, and while the media paid attention to the outfits worn by the new ministers – it was a hat day – a handful of people paid attention to the content of His Excellency’s speech, chuckled and enjoy it.
I was away, but I was sent the link, http://masnoticia.com/discurso-di-s-e-gobernador-di-aruba-na-ocasion-di-huramentacion-di-gabinete-wever-croes/.
I read the text with great interest!
The swearing in of the new cabinet was a festive and formal state event, and while starting nice and sweet, taking about fresh opportunities for Aruba, and improved cooperation between the kingdom partners, the Governor also outlined his vision for a stable and sustainable future.
The best part of his address came last, as he described his role in government, tactfully and legally reminding everyone he was the boss.
According to the constitution, he is indeed in charge, and he did not shy away from telling the new members of the Wever-Croes cabinet that he is the head of state here, and that he will be watching them, reading their documents, and exercising “the right to watch, the right to warn, and the right to advise.”
He urged them to “do what they say, and say what they do,” and remain strictly transparent at all time, as he reiterated repeatedly, think about their country first, and work on behalf of the general interest.
He also hinted at the sometimes-forgotten-fact that our constitution also grants the tiger teeth, and that he will use his royal investiture, if needed.
Wow.
We have a new sheriff in town, and he carries a gun. The man is taking his responsibilities seriously, and expects everyone to do the same, just in case anyone’s still thinks his role is merely representative.
Those of you who follow the news do realize that our Governor just claimed his turf back, and I was personally happy to hear from him.
We have a freshly put together coalition of motley characters – I promised not to utter a word of criticism for 100 days — and it’s good for them to be reminded that they should de-politicize their role, accept input from the Central Bank, and all other advisory boards, and basically benefit from ‘lessons learned,’ as they deal with important financial matters and battle against corruption.
He also openly expressed his plan to improve the previously “under stress” relationship with the Netherlands, to successfully carry individual and collective responsibilities serving all kingdom partners.
Overall, it was a fatherly speech, he talked about collaboration in spite of differences, making the slogan Hunto Pa Aruba, real, and that, he stated, counts for the opposition as well. Good comment.
No, I don’t think it was a self-important statement, or a self–aggrandizing exercise, I think it was an appropriate blue-print for change.
