ORANJESTAD (AAN): In light of alarming revelations from the ARA 2020 report, Parliamentarian Stephany Sevinger (AVP) is raising concerns over the mismanagement of the Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions (AWSS) project. Sevinger recently addressed the growing problems within Aruba’s utility sector, emphasizing that the previous government’s direction had put Aruba’s financial future at risk.
Sevinger highlighted that during the crisis, crucial government departments operated without proper budgeting, planning, or internal control. In the case of AWSS, funds were mismanaged, with projects moving ahead without approvals and a lack of transparency in decision-making. This has led to a financial hole of over 250 million Florin, which would have burdened the public, had the previous course continued.
The shift in direction under the current leadership, Sevinger emphasized, has prevented further financial damage. Instead of continuing to invest in large projects without control, the government is now focusing on maintenance, optimizing existing facilities, and ensuring financial transparency.
According to Sevinger, while there is still work to be done, the current leadership has shown a serious and responsible commitment to correcting past mistakes. The key takeaway is clear: without proper control, supervision, and accountability, the public bears the consequences. With the ongoing efforts to improve financial discipline and public transparency, the public institutions are now fulfilling their roles to protect the community’s interests.
“This is the difference between the past and the present: from chaos to control, from risk to responsibility,” Sevinger concluded.
