ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Mike Eman Says Aruba Is Reversing Years of Neglect, highlighting the AVP-FUTURO government’s ongoing investments in public infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, and measures to improve residents’ quality of life.
Prime Minister Mike Eman said the government is working daily to restore and renovate public buildings across Oranjestad, including the Willem III Tower Museum, the former Public Prosecutor’s Office building, and the Veneranda building. He added that several private-sector redevelopment projects have also begun along Caya Grandi.
According to Eman, the government’s work has been made more challenging by what he described as eight years of neglected maintenance inherited from the previous administration.
He said the backlog extends beyond delayed projects and includes an estimated Afl. 1 billion in deferred maintenance affecting schools, roads, government buildings, and historic monuments.
“This is a burden the country has been left with. But little by little we are changing that direction, and after a year and a half in office, people are already beginning to see the difference,” Eman said.
The Prime Minister argued that allowing public infrastructure to deteriorate had negatively affected communities throughout Aruba and described the situation as damaging to society.
He said the government is carrying out neighborhood improvement projects on a continuous basis, with renovation work currently underway in Village after previously completing projects in Mabon.
According to Eman, future projects will include improvements to neighborhoods that have received little attention in recent years, particularly recreational parks and public spaces that have fallen into disrepair.
He also announced that infrastructure upgrades are expected to begin soon in De Vuyst and Bushiri, emphasizing that every neighborhood contributes to the overall quality of life on the island.
In addition to infrastructure investments, Eman highlighted several measures aimed at improving residents’ purchasing power. These include an additional Afl. 500 per month for approximately 22,000 pensioners, with couples receiving Afl. 900 per month, as well as an increase of nearly 30 percent in social assistance benefits.
He also noted that medication packages have been compensated to help reduce healthcare costs for residents.
According to the Prime Minister, the government’s first priority has been to create financial room to strengthen purchasing power while simultaneously investing in the long-term renewal of Aruba’s public infrastructure and communities.
