ORANJESTAD (AAN) – A recent report by the Algemene Rekenkamer Aruba (ARA) has identified significant risks regarding accountability and supervision within the island’s budgetary funds. The audit suggests that a lack of adequate transparency in these specific funds highlights a broader systemic issue within the public sector and local governance.
According to the report, budget approvals and annual accounts for these funds are frequently delayed or missing entirely. While the government has shown relative improvement in submitting general quarterly reports required for financial supervision, these advances have not yet extended to the operations of the specialized budgetary funds. The ARA observed that compliance tends to be higher with Dutch and European financial authorities than with local obligations to the Staten.
The audit suggests that financial administration has historically lacked prioritization within the autonomous governance structure established in 1986. Specific entities, such as Selimar, were cited as examples where financial and administrative problems persisted. The ARA concludes that while addressing the transparency of budgetary funds is critical, it is only one part of the necessary changes required to foster a culture of accountability and openness toward the Aruban public.
