Add one more to our struggle

Press-Release

August 8, 2019

We Want Bonaire Back Foundation (WWBBF)

(Edited by Jose M. Lopez Sierra) 

Mr. Rene Lauffer, former president-director of OTB joins forces with NKBB to fight injustice and violation of fundamental rights of the Bonerian People

We Want Bonaire Back Foundation (WWBBF), due to escalating discrimination and lack of respect by the new Dutch immigrants for the humble Bonerians, has recently launched an awareness and information campaign to protect Bonaire as we are a nation with our own culture, language, identity, and our own way of life.

One of our main objective with this campaign is to expose and bring to light cases of injustice to the people of Bonaire, committed by individuals, organizations, the local and Dutch government and their governmental institutions, of abusive discriminatory actions, policies, laws and governmental corruption that are violating the fundamental civil, economic, social, political and cultural rights of our people. 

In our struggle to raise awareness by publicizing factual information on violations of aforementioned rights, WWBBF was approached by Mr. Rene Lauffer, the former president-director of Oil Trading Bonaire, who recently denounced and exposed governmental corruption-scandal in the energetic sector. Mr. Lauffer recognizes our efforts to protect the rights of the Bonerian People and volunteered to share in our upcoming campaign series with valuable factual information based on his experience and expertise in this main socio-economic sector.

Mr. Lauffer says: 

-          The stage is set, and is very clear that the Dutch policy, together with the local government, is directed to eliminate the Oil Trading Bonaire.

-          The consequences hereof will result in another mayor loss of possibilities and potential income for the local government that would amount to two (2) or three (3) times more than the “vrije uitkering”.

-          Another mayor economic risk factor is that the strategic and secure fuel supply will never become equal as in Holland or in Europe. But what most Bonerians, especially the majority of the peoples below the poverty line, are experiencing a continued raise in all fuel-related-economic and food consumer prices and especially WEB tariffs.

-          By the elimination of OTB, the Bonaire peoples will lose the possibility of alleviation of lowered and reduced WEB bills as much as 100 US dollars to $150 every month.

Mr. Lauffer voiced that he will be committed in bringing awareness in our upcoming information series, because of “his love for Bonaire and her people” and that the “fast pace of the developments are not in the interest of Bonaire and her people”. Although not being a whistle-blower, but forced to speak out by this local government corruption-scandal, Mr. Lauffer’s future on Bonaire is minimized. Mr. Lauffer is committed, however, to leave valuable information behind for the future generations.

James Finies, president of WWBBF

Mr. Rene Lauffer, former president-director Oil Trading Bonaire