San Nicolas is facing a historic opportunity for a new phase of economic development. However, Prime Minister Mike Eman stressed that future investments must directly benefit the community and improve the quality of life of its residents.
Speaking at the third San Nicolas Business Summit, organized by the San Nicolas Business Association (SNBA) under the theme “The Common Good,” Eman shared his vision for the city’s future, including the opportunities created by the planned redevelopment of the former refinery site. Minister Geoffrey Wever, Minister Rene Herdé, several members of Parliament, investors and business owners also attended the event.
According to Eman, after more than 80 years, the site that once housed one of the world’s largest refineries now offers significant opportunities for new development. However, realizing this potential will require responsible and transparent decision-making guided by a long-term vision.
He explained that the government is working with technical support from the Netherlands to establish a governance structure that will ensure transparency and integrity throughout the cleanup of the site and the selection of future economic activities.
The structure is intended to ensure that decisions are based on clear criteria and standards, with input from professionals and local experts. This is essential to ensure that future development serves the interests of both Aruba and San Nicolas.
San Nicolas must benefit from its own development
Eman noted that one of the priorities during his previous terms in government was to create the conditions needed for San Nicolas to attract investment and achieve economic growth. He pointed to investments in infrastructure, including the Green Corridor leading to San Nicolas and improvements to several other roads across the island. These included Watty Vos Boulevard, which improves the connection between the airport, the Playa Pabou area and the island’s hotel district.
Investments were also made in renovating schools, improving neighborhoods and developing other infrastructure. The aim was to prepare San Nicolas for new opportunities while improving the living conditions of its residents.
However, Eman emphasized that economic growth should not be an end in itself.
“We do not want only five-star hotels. We want five-star schools, five-star neighborhoods and five-star care for our elderly and for those who need medical treatment and other facilities in Aruba,” he said.
Eman also stressed that Aruba must learn from the experience of tourism development in the northern part of the island, where major investments have not always resulted in sufficient benefits for the local community.
He acknowledged that tourism development in that area was necessary to stimulate the economy and reduce unemployment. Nevertheless, he said that, in retrospect, Aruba could have planned better and established a stronger connection between investors and the needs of the community.
That lesson is particularly important for San Nicolas. Eman believes future investments should also contribute to affordable housing, public spaces, green areas, better wages for workers and the overall well-being of residents.
New projects create opportunities for San Nicolas
During the summit, several investors and business owners presented projects involving housing, food security, air connections between the islands and tourism. Eman welcomed their initiatives and perseverance, noting that Aruba needs projects that contribute to a more diversified economy.
He specifically recognized the tourism initiative in San Nicolas as an example of businesses willing to invest in the city’s potential despite the challenges associated with the former refinery site.
Investors must build stronger ties with the community
Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Eman referred to the work volunteers carry out every Saturday on Bernhardstraat, where they paint houses as part of efforts to revitalize the neighborhood.
He said the initiative reflects residents’ desire to improve their own community. However, he expressed concern that some economic activities in the area appear to have little connection with these local efforts.
Eman called on investors to engage with residents and identify ways their projects could also address the needs of San Nicolas. He congratulated the SNBA on choosing “The Common Good” as the summit’s theme, emphasizing that this principle should remain central to the city’s future development.
For Eman, the challenge is not simply to attract more investment, but to ensure that economic growth goes hand in hand with the well-being of the community. San Nicolas has an opportunity to build a new future, but its success will ultimately depend on whether new investments lead to a better quality of life for its residents.
