DOW Budget 2026 Should Focus on Preventive Infrastructure Maintenance

The DOW Budget 2026 preventive infrastructure maintenance Aruba , according to AVP Parliamentarian John Hart, who says the upcoming discussion in Parliament presents an important opportunity to reassess how Aruba manages its infrastructure.

The Department of Public Works (DOW) budget for 2026 is expected to be presented soon to the Parliament of Aruba, where it will be reviewed and debated. Hart believes this moment is crucial to evaluate the management of infrastructure in recent years and determine a better direction for the future.

Concerns About Infrastructure Conditions

Hart expressed concern about what he described as a decline in infrastructure maintenance across the island. According to him, several essential areas have not received enough attention.

Among the issues he highlighted are:

• Insufficient maintenance of roads and streets

• Lack of proper lighting in several neighborhoods

• Sidewalks and road shoulders that are deteriorating

• Absence of speed bumps in certain areas, increasing traffic risks

Hart also pointed to the poor condition of several government buildings and schools, where maintenance has reportedly been delayed for years.

According to the parliamentarian, both DOW and the government play a central role in addressing these problems. However, Parliament also has a responsibility to ensure that public resources are used effectively when reviewing the national budget.

Infrastructure and Social Conditions

Hart also referenced findings from the Jeugdmonitor 2024 report, which was presented in Parliament last year. The report provides insight into social conditions affecting Aruba’s youth.

According to the study, poverty in Aruba is not an isolated issue but a deeper systemic problem. It also highlights that deteriorating neighborhoods contribute to social inequality, affecting safety, education, and the mental well-being of young people.

Hart emphasized that the physical deterioration of neighborhoods reinforces feelings of poverty and directly impacts families’ quality of life.

“In recent years, and especially in recent months, we can conclude that many neighborhoods have been left behind. Even with a fiscal surplus, infrastructure deterioration is clearly visible. Neighborhoods are more deteriorated than ever,” Hart stated.

From Reactive to Preventive Maintenance

Hart argued that the DOW Budget 2026 should focus on preventive infrastructure maintenance rather than reacting only after problems appear.

“We cannot continue waiting until something breaks before we fix it. We need planning and structural investment to maintain our infrastructure,” Hart said.

He stressed that the upcoming budget should allocate sufficient resources to improve roads, asphalt, speed bumps, and other safety infrastructure that protects residents and drivers.

Long-Term Planning Needed

According to Hart, long-term planning is essential to produce sustainable results and improve the quality of life in Aruba’s neighborhoods.

When the DOW Budget 2026 should focus on preventive infrastructure maintenance, the parliamentarian believes the country can shift toward a more structured approach to infrastructure development.

Hart said he will continue to emphasize the importance of structural planning during the upcoming parliamentary discussions, ensuring that Aruba’s infrastructure improvements lead to visible and lasting benefits for the community.