ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Minister Geoffrey Wever has announced that the government will implement recommendations from the General Audit Chamber (ARA) regarding financial management errors identified during the tenure of former Finance Minister Xiomara Maduro. The reports in question criticized the handling of the budget and annual government accounts for the year 2020.
According to Minister Wever, the administration is utilizing these recommendations to drive necessary changes, including recent modifications to the Accounting Law and reporting systems. A government-wide process is currently active, engaging all departments and the Council of Ministers to establish new procedures for project execution. The Minister emphasized that these steps are designed to provide better oversight of public fund management and ensure that every project follows a standardized procedure.
Wever acknowledged that the ARA’s comments were a “shock,” stating that the errors made in 2020 cannot be repeated. He confirmed that he will take the recommendations seriously to improve financial production. The government is currently seeking assistance from various consultative organs to correct financial management practices. Wever has held meetings with different entities to explain the changes required to move away from the current system.
The primary objective of these reforms is to introduce “policy base budgeting.” Wever explained that this system requires the government to build a budget based on a real plan, rather than simply allocating money without specifying its purpose. This approach aims to ensure better control and guarantees that public funds are used strictly for their intended goals.
