WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas (MFK) publicly apologized on Thursday to the civil servant and the rest of her team involved in the inspection of the Green House restaurant in Santa Maria. The prime minister made his apologies in the Parliament in response to questions from Members of Parliament Quincy Girigorie (PAR) and Gwendell Mercelina (PNP).
Pisas stated that the approach should have been different and that there was no intent from the policy officer. According to the prime minister, the civil servant received a written warning and not a suspension. Additionally, the minister mentioned that an investigation has been launched into the matter.
Pisas admitted that he had been called by the restaurant owner to mediate and that one of his policy officers was involved in the case. The prime minister suggested allowing civil servants to carry out their work, after which it would be determined later what steps could potentially be taken.
The prime minister stated that the owner of Green House subsequently called a policy officer from the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN), who, in turn, contacted Pisas. The civil servant who inspected the restaurant was also approached and was instructed to investigate whether a compromise could be reached and whether the identified deficiencies could be resolved immediately. This approach was an attempt to prevent the closure of the restaurant, after which social media circulated messages that Green House was being spared.