ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruba building permits are set for a major overhaul after Minister of Public Works René Herdé acknowledged criticism from Comerciantenan Uni di Aruba over lengthy delays in the construction permitting process.
Herdé said the concerns raised by business representatives are justified, noting that residents, developers and investors should not have to wait six months or longer for approval of construction plans.
The minister said several government departments are currently undergoing a reorganization intended to modernize outdated procedures, improve communication and introduce more efficient digital systems.
Minister Acknowledges Permit Delays
Herdé openly admitted that the current process is not functioning as it should.
He said there is no reasonable excuse for applicants having to wait six months or longer for construction approvals.
One of the major problems, according to the minister, is poor coordination between government departments. Building a home or completing another development project can require several approvals, but the departments responsible for those permits do not always operate in a coordinated manner.
As a result, applicants may receive one approval while waiting for another, creating unnecessary delays throughout the process.
The minister said these problems are the result of years of insufficient investment rather than the fault of individual government employees.
Some departments are operating with only about half the staff they need, he said, while employees are also dealing with outdated computers, aging software and inefficient procedures.
Government Begins Major Reorganization
To improve Aruba building permits and other government services, Herdé said the government began working earlier this year on reorganizing several departments.
The plan involves BID, DLV and DOW working under updated procedures supported by new systems and software.
Employees will also receive training, while greater transparency is expected to become part of the new administrative structure.
Herdé pointed to changes already introduced at DIP as an early example of the modernization process, saying those improvements represent only the beginning.
Similar digital reforms are expected at DLV, where notaries will eventually be able to submit and retrieve documents online rather than visiting government offices in person.
Clients are also expected to gain access to online procedures, including electronic payments.
According to Herdé, the technology required for these improvements has existed for years, and the priority now is to implement it effectively.
New System Expected Before End of 2026
The minister said he hopes significant improvements will be visible by the end of the year, especially in the area of construction permits.
An external expert with experience improving similar systems in Curaçao, Bonaire and other locations has also been brought in to assist with the permit process.
Although the expert has visited Aruba only a limited number of times, Herdé said the response from government departments has been highly positive.
The minister expects the long-standing bottleneck affecting Aruba building permits to be substantially reduced or eliminated once the new system is fully operational.
He described the current waiting periods as unacceptable, particularly for architects, construction professionals, investors and residents trying to move projects forward.
Automated Responses Planned
Communication with applicants is another area targeted for improvement.
Herdé acknowledged complaints from people who send emails to government departments and never receive a response.
Under the planned digital systems, automated confirmations and responses will be generated by computers, reducing the need for employees to manually handle every initial communication.
Once implementation is complete, applicants should receive clearer and more consistent updates about their requests.
Herdé said he accepts criticism from Comerciantenan Uni di Aruba and others who have expressed frustration with the existing process.
However, he emphasized that reforms are already underway and that the government intends to deliver noticeable improvements before the end of 2026.
The modernization of Aruba building permits is expected to improve efficiency, transparency and communication while reducing delays that have affected residents and businesses for years.
