ORANJESTAD (AAN) – AVP’s Sevinger Welcomes Aruba Leasehold Policy Changes, saying the government’s newly announced reforms to Aruba’s erfpacht (leasehold land) policy reflect several proposals she previously presented in Parliament to make the system more accessible and equitable for local families.
Stephany Sevinger, a Member of Parliament for the Arubaanse Volkspartij (AVP), expressed satisfaction following Infrastructure Minister Drs. René Herdé’s announcement regarding changes to the government’s leasehold land policy.
According to Sevinger, many of the reforms correspond with proposals she introduced during a parliamentary debate on August 20 of last year, when she submitted a motion aimed at making the allocation of government leasehold land more humane, realistic, and accessible.
“It gives me satisfaction to see that many of the concerns and proposals I raised in Parliament are now reflected in government policy. This confirms that the democratic process works and that the voice of the people can lead to concrete changes,” Sevinger said.
During her parliamentary motion, Sevinger called for revisions to several requirements that she believed created unnecessary barriers for Aruban families seeking to build their own homes. Among the issues she highlighted were mandatory construction percentages, the method used to calculate construction costs per square meter, the requirement to provide a bank mortgage as the sole proof of financial capacity, strict deadlines for starting and completing construction, and the need to provide solutions for residents who had previously lost their eligibility for government leasehold land.
Sevinger said one of her continuing priorities is creating a second opportunity for individuals who lost access to public leasehold land because they were unable to meet the strict requirements that existed under previous policies.
She stated that she will continue urging the government to establish a mechanism allowing those applicants to register again and have their applications reviewed under the revised policy framework.
“Many families were affected by a system that did not reflect the reality of their circumstances. When we correct the policy, we should also address the consequences created by the previous system,” she said.
While welcoming the announced reforms, Sevinger stressed that additional work remains to create a fully accessible, transparent, and efficient leasehold allocation system.
She described the policy changes as an important step in the right direction but emphasized that implementation and further improvements will continue to require parliamentary oversight.
Sevinger concluded by reaffirming her commitment to representing Aruban families in Parliament and working toward policies that make it easier for residents to build their future in Aruba through a fairer and more responsive leasehold land system.
