DutchNews.nl - More problems for royal holiday home

The company building a holiday home for crown prince Willem-Alexander and his family as part of an exclusive resort in Mozambique is not living up to its promises, the Telegraaf reports on Thursday.

The paper says the five schools which have been built on the Manchangulo peninsula no longer have access to clean water and toilets and electricity were never installed. The report was drawn up on behalf of the development company Manchangulo Group, the paper says.

In addition, there is a lack of financial support for the local population and a shortage of clean drinking water, health care and educational services, the report says.

The building of the schools was an important condition for Willem-Alexander's participation in the project. In addition, the Mozambique government would not have given permission for the resort to be developed without the schools, the Telegraaf states.

The report also warns that social tensions may arise from the import of foreign labour to build the resort, which will have 120 houses, 60 luxury villas, a hotel and a landing strip.

When news of the royal involvement broke last year, Willem-Alexander said they had been approached by friends about the project two years previously. Locals are very much involved in the developments around the project, such as building schools and sanitation, the prince said.

Last week it emerged that the prince had transferred his financial role in the project to an intermediary foundation.

The foundation's manager Arnold van der Smeede told the Volkskrant the move had been made to create distance between the prince and the developer. 'Any problems with the project will be the responsibility of the foundation, and will not be connected to Willem-Alexander as shareholder,' he told the paper.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IF PRINCE WILLEM-ALEXANDER IS SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT.

No body should doubt that our future King Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima are fully aware of the Poverty Related problems being faced by hundreds of millions in the developing countries.

Prince Willem Alexander is already involve in Water issues. He and the princess Maxima both have a heart and desire to help the have nots where ever its possible.

His involvement in this project is a very positive news. Because of the size of the project which would be perhaps first ever investment of this kind for the Mozambique!

One should not have any doubt that foreign investment is almost a back bone for the economy of under developed countries.

I am sure the people of Mozambique must be very happy as its going to boost their area,availability of jobs now and in the future, more investment from abroad due to the success of this project.

Through the Dutch News.NL I would love to send my compliments to our prince and the people of the foundation who have taken a great risk by investing such a huge amount. I really hope that the others would also follow our Crown Prince Willem-Alexander to contribute for the development of the poor countries.

By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | August 27, 2009 7:27 PM

The link below gives some insight into Mozambique and property there (in Dutch - volkskrantblog)

http://www.vkblog.nl/bericht/275316/Geachte_mijnheer_W.A._van_Oranje-Nassau

By loes roos | August 28, 2009 3:10 AM

"In addition, the Mozambique government would not have given permission for the resort to be developed without the schools, the Telegraaf states." - what a load of rubbish, the project was approved without even having the environmental impact done !! check the facts, the environmental impact was approved after the government approved the project - CORRUPTION at its best !! - what then is the point of an environmental impact study if the project was going through no matter what. the land was approved contrary to all provisions in the land law - only rich influential people can get this, the common African must as usual follow the law. if you ask me, these developers and roleplayers must be charged with corruption and the continued rape of African land.

By anti corruption | October 6, 2009 8:12 AM