The San Nicolas development plan remains unclear, according to San Nicolas Business Association President Errol de Freitas, who says the district still lacks a concrete blueprint for its economic and social future.
Speaking with DIARIO, de Freitas reflected on Aruba’s recent Social Dialogue process and said SNBA brought significantly more concerns to the table than other participating groups.
According to him, while some groups presented six or eight discussion points, SNBA submitted around 50.
De Freitas said the large number reflected what he described as years of neglect in San Nicolas.
He stressed that his concern is not directed at one particular political party or minister, but at what he sees as a broader lack of sustained action.
Social, Commercial and Industrial Challenges
De Freitas said San Nicolas is dealing simultaneously with social, commercial and industrial problems.
He acknowledged efforts to improve Bernhardstraat but argued that those projects alone do not address the deeper structural issues facing the district.
The future of the former refinery site remains one of the major concerns.
According to de Freitas, some form of industrial activity will eventually need to return to the area, but this requires serious planning, coordination and clear government policy.
He said SNBA had previously been holding discussions with a government official for several months, but those meetings later stopped.
Business Summit Postponed
SNBA had planned to hold its third San Nicolas Business Summit next week, but the event is expected to be postponed by approximately one month.
De Freitas said the decision was made after learning that Parliament is currently in recess, while parliamentary factions had been invited to participate.
The summit traditionally brings together public officials, investors and other stakeholders to discuss the future of San Nicolas.
According to de Freitas, SNBA also regularly invites the Governor because of his personal connection to San Nicolas.
SNBA Says Its Own Plan Is Public
De Freitas said several ministers have publicly discussed plans for San Nicolas, but argued that SNBA is the only organization that has openly presented its own development proposals.
He said the association is already attempting to move into the implementation phase of its plan.
However, he believes political considerations continue to slow progress.
According to de Freitas, no major development has yet taken place and many government interventions remain mostly cosmetic.
He said SNBA plans to send another letter to government this week asking for an update on outstanding commitments.
Calls for Stronger Political Attention
De Freitas also said San Nicolas needs stronger representation from political leaders who understand the district’s challenges.
He mentioned several parliamentarians who, in his view, have shown interest in the area’s development.
However, he stressed that the issue should go beyond individual politicians.
According to him, the government’s term will continue to pass unless stakeholders sit together and make firm decisions about San Nicolas.
He added that the previous government may have given San Nicolas attention, but not enough action.
Economic Affairs Also Criticized
De Freitas directed part of his criticism toward the Department of Economic Affairs.
He said he has seen many announcements about activities and initiatives, but residents and businesses in San Nicolas are not feeling the impact.
According to him, he has personally tried to contact the department for more than two months without success.
For de Freitas, the central problem remains the absence of a clear San Nicolas development plan.
Without an agreed blueprint, he warned, different actors will continue moving in separate directions instead of working toward one coordinated vision for the district.
