During the second round of the parliamentary debate on the AIOF 2026–2027 budget, MEP MP Drs. Shailiny Tromp-Lee accused the government of asking Parliament for “a blank check of Afl. 33 million” — and, in her words, “a bounced check of Afl. 26 million” — EA News reported on October 17. All of the following is attributed to her remarks during the debate.
Tromp-Lee questioned the lack of transparency, documentation and oversight in the management of the investment fund, and said that after Minister Geoffrey Wever’s response, key questions remained unanswered. Note: this story was reported October 17.
Missing committee and agenda
The MP said the Evaluation Committee has still not been appointed and that it is unclear who represents the relevant ministries. Parliament, she said, has not received the multi-year investment agenda, and individual projects lack detail on scope, execution timelines and objectives.
Legal and financial gaps
According to Tromp-Lee, the budget violates the Public Financial Management Act (comptabiliteitswet), and there is a gap between the funds available and the investment agenda. She recalled the findings of the General Audit Chamber (Algemene Rekenkamer) in support of her criticism.
The remarks were made during the second round of debate on the AIOF 2026–2027 budget, after the minister’s response failed to satisfy her questions.
Sources: EA News (English) | EA News (Papiamento) | EA News (Nederlands) | EA News (Español)
