An integrity investigation has been started into councilor Rieja Raven (GroenLinks-PvdA) of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe. A day after Raven announced that she was quitting as a councilor, it became clear that she was being investigated.
Mayor Jan Zwiers decided to initiate such an investigation after questions from Municipal Interests.
The issue revolves around Raven’s consultancy at Bügel Hajema, an agency that advises governments on ‘spatial issues’. Raven was active there for less than a year, in 2021 and 2022.
Bügel Hajema is involved in two projects in Central Drenthe, namely the Hijkerleek solar park and the Stroomdal Area Vision. Councilor Raven is directly involved in the latter. Not at the solar park.
Municipal interests then approached Mayor Zwiers.
Raven is not concerned about the integrity investigation. She is convinced she has done nothing wrong. “They’re looking for something that isn’t there.” Councilor Raven is not surprised by the step taken by Municipal Interests. “I’m used to this from them.”
Municipal Interests would like to emphasize that the party does not accuse Raven of anything. “We have asked questions and they can answer them. That may be asking for the known route and maybe not.”
According to Raven, the investigation is not the reason for her departure as councilor. She does call it indicative of political relations in Central Drenthe. “There is a chain of events like this.”