Port of Antwerp-Bruges confirms inquiry into Jambon adviser

The adviser who handles port matters for Flemish minister-president Jan Jambon has been on the payroll of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges for two years, Het Nieuwsblad reported on Monday.

Jambon (N-VA) claimed in May that the man in question was employed by his cabinet on a 40 per cent posting. However, that has been halved to 20 per cent. "A first invoice was drawn up in May this year," the port says. "Both parties have agreed to do this for only half of the initially estimated 40 per cent secondment."

According to the port, this agreement is in line with the employee's actual role at the cabinet. "It corresponds to an average of about one day a week over the entire period. This is, therefore, not a discount, but alignment of the billing with the actual performance," said the port authority.

The port says the person is an experienced engineer who is seconded temporarily and part-time to Jambon's cabinet. "This colleague has provided policy support and technical advice as a consultant since March 2021," it said. "Because the actual workload was not clear at the start of this secondment assignment, it was decided in mutual consultation to invoice after a period of time."

While Jambon denies there is a conflict of interest, opposition party Groen has voiced concerns about the situation.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}