Ombudsman on Bonaire: “Enough is enough – real action must be taken now”
KRALENDIJK – National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen was on Bonaire Friday to explain the findings of his new report Break the Silence. During a meeting at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, he spoke openly about the problems he heard about and witnessed firsthand over the past few days. The report compiles nine concrete cases that show how residents have been left in uncertainty for years because the public entity Bonaire fails to respond to questions and complaints in a timely or clear manner.
According to Van Zutphen, it is "high time for real change to happen now. When people ask their government a question, they should get a quick and honest answer. That fails to happen far too often." The nine issues that have generated complaints range from ground lease, rent and land to overdue road maintenance. The ombudsman is also concerned about how the public entity handles complaints: citizens sometimes remain in the dark about their applications for ten to twelve years.
Public Transportation
Another major issue is the lack of proper public transportation. Students often have to walk or pay high costs for transport, while elderly people have difficulty getting to town to shop or visit day care facilities. Although funding is available and everyone recognizes the importance, public transportation simply doesn’t get off the ground. Van Zutphen calls this "incomprehensible" and believes work must begin without delay.
Diabase Quarrying and Landfill
He also spoke about the many illegal excavations on the island. The abandoned pits are filled with waste and hazardous debris, causing major damage to nature and the living environment. Even more distressing is the situation around the landfill at Lagun. Van Zutphen visited the site himself and saw goats and donkeys walking among the waste and eating from it. According to him, this poses a direct threat to public health and food safety, as the waste contains toxins that can enter the food chain through animals. He spoke of "a crisis that must be addressed immediately" and called for an immediate halt to dumping.
The ombudsman was visibly moved by the stories and conditions he encountered at the landfill. "I was speechless when I saw what’s happening at Lagun. People are breathing toxic substances there. This isn’t just an environmental problem, this is an assault on public health. It cannot continue like this."
Nature Permits
The lack of nature permits also keeps people in limbo. Rangers and guides who work in nature can barely work legally because there is no committee to process their applications. This means they either remain unemployed or must work without permits, risking sanctions.
Poverty
Finally, Van Zutphen again pointed to poverty and inequality on Bonaire. Despite previous reports and some improvements, approximately thirty percent of the population still lives below the poverty line. According to him, the social minimum is far too low, making it nearly impossible for families and single parents to make ends meet. The ombudsman emphasized that there is inequality compared to European Netherlands.
Harsh but Clear Words
This time Van Zutphen seems to be choosing a tougher tone than in previous reports. He wants the public entity to respond within concrete deadlines. A resident applying for a ground lease plot should receive a response within four weeks. Road work that has been delayed for years must be completed by summer at the latest. "If we just keep saying: see if it works out, then nothing happens. That’s why we’re now setting hard deadlines. And we’re also going to monitor whether it happens," he said.
According to Van Zutphen, it’s ultimately not just about practical problems, but also about trust in government. "It’s improper that people don’t get answers to their questions. It’s not expeditious, it’s unclear, and it undermines legal equality."
The public entity Bonaire has, according to Van Zutphen, indicated it will carefully study the ombudsman’s recommendations and continue dialogue with residents and the national government. Van Zutphen himself emphasizes that he will continue to push for change. "I’m not a bailiff or police officer. What I can do is show what’s going wrong and persist until real change happens."
Read the complete report from the National Ombudsman here
