NS super dividend paid out to state in exchange for rescue HSA – nrc.nl

Aad Veenman, President NS from 2002 to 2009, prior to The public hearings of the parliamentary committee of inquiry Fyra. Photo ANP / Bart Size

Economy

In exchange for rescue of the HSA, NS paid a special dividend of 1.4 billion euros to the state in 2008. This is evident from the interrogation of former NS director Aad Veenman by the parliamentary committee of inquiry Fyra.

Veenman joined in 2002 as president. Nearly all business units of the railway incurred losses, the relationship with the Ministries of Transport and Finance were diseased and HSA, the subsidiary that would drive the HSL-line, balanced since 2004 on the brink of bankruptcy, especially since NS commanded high to win the concession.

Salmon did not budge

Since 2004 Veenman tried to get the government money to save the HSA still, as revealed during interrogation . But particularly Minister Zalm (Finance) did not budge. NS had its own reserves but committed. Contract is a contract, Salmon found. It was on his ministry furthermore announced that NS manipulated with numbers and passenger volumes and withheld crucial information. Also hired consultancies commissioned by NS and Finance had to unravel the mummy figure at NS complained about inadequate disclosure by NS.

Breakthrough in 2008

Only in 2008, when finally HSA threatened to go bankrupt, there was a breakthrough. That happened in negotiating a special dividend of 1.4 billion euros from the company’s reserves of NS. Veenman thus agreed. The super dividend would be paid in two parts of each 700 million as security NS got on, among other things, the future of HSA. It had to be a comprehensive plan with a solution of all pain cases where NS was faced with. Veenman got the commitment of Finance that the State bankruptcy would prevent HSA. Under the condition that NS opening of business would give about the business of HSA.

‘did not succeed to normalize relations

So that was from 2002 to 2008 is not the case, the commission concluded. Veenman had to confirm it reluctantly. Were those years of strained relations and not solving an example of your leadership, wanted committee Toorenburg know.

“I have tried everything to normalize those relations and have not succeeded. (..) What direction whatsoever, it takes a long time for such relationships have been restored. It’s all slow and I think an unfortunate conclusion “

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Aad Veenman

Inquiry Fyra

Fyra

HSA

NS