Aruba Approves Legal Reforms to Strengthen Government Financial Management

Minister of Finance Geoffrey Wever has announced that the Government of Aruba has approved important legal changes to strengthen the country’s internal financial framework.

The reform includes amendments to the “Comptabiliteitsverordening 1989” (Public Finance Ordinance) and the preparation of a national decree (landsbesluit) under Article 46 of the same ordinance. This decree will define new financial procedures and establish a restructured Department of Finance with specific divisions designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Aruba’s financial operations.

To ensure sustainable public finances and continuous financial control, the government will implement the Three Lines Model (3LM) and reinforce the Department of Finance with the creation of the Internal Control Support Division (Steunpunt Interne Beheersing, SIB). This division officially went live recently, in the presence of several key stakeholders.

The new structure is intended to ensure accurate financial administration and lawful budget execution. Each government department will take greater responsibility for risk management and quality assurance within their financial processes. The SIB division will provide support and internal oversight to ensure the government achieves transparent, accountable annual reporting.

This week, the 3LM framework officially went live, with the participation of representatives from the Parliament of Aruba, the General Audit Chamber, the Centrale Accountantdienst, the CAft, and TWO-Netherlands. The first group of 15 government departments received training in risk management and financial process quality.

Minister Wever emphasized that sustainable public finance is a long-term, ongoing process. He stressed the importance of having a clear legal foundation for financial governance and thanked the Department of Finance—especially Director Mr. Werleman, the Central Accounting Service, and all contributors—for their role in establishing a stronger, more transparent financial system for Aruba.