Central Bank President Tromp fails screening

GREAT BAY – The suspended president of the Central Bank, Dr. Emsley Tromp (see photo) has failed a screening by the national security service VDSM, Finance Minister Richard Gibson said at yesterday’s Council of Ministers press briefing. This means that Tromp can no longer return in his function.

Minister Gibson announced in June of last year that he had ordered the screening. The security service of Curacao has not completed its screening of Tromp yet, but Minister Gibson said that the outcome of the investigation by the VDSM affects both countries.

Tromp and the two managing directors of the Central Bank all hold so-called confidential functions that require a security screening. “These screenings were never done,” Minister Gibson said.

The two managing directors –Jerry Hasselmeyer and Alberto Romero – passed the screening, but Tromp did not. “As a result he will not be able to occupy his position,” Minister Gibson said. “Of course he has the option to file an appeal against the decision by the VDSM.”

The Central Bank is facing other issues too: Hasselmeyer and Romero are going into retirement this year.

Minister Gibson and his colleague Minister Jardim from Curacao have embarked on a search for replacements, not only for the managing directors but also for the function of president. “That is not an easy task,” Minister Gibson said yesterday. “Nevertheless, we are starting the process to make sure that the Central Bank has people at the top to run the bank that are capable of rendering the services our countries need.”