Serious Irregularities in FASE Payments and Illegal Activities Must Be Addressed Immediately

Serious Irregularities in FASE Payments Must Be Addressed :
Parliamentarian John Hart of the AVP faction has made a strong call for reflection and responsible action in the Aruba Parliament after conducting a thorough analysis of the 2020 annual report from the Algemene Rekenkamer di Aruba (ARA). The report highlights significant irregularities, illegal decisions, and structural deficiencies in financial management during the Wever-Croes Cabinet.

According to Hart, the role of ARA as an independent body is essential in ensuring that public funds are managed in compliance with the law, with transparency and accountability. The ARA report, he notes, not only documents these irregularities but also raises serious questions about governance, financial control, and respect for legal standards in managing public funds.

“The ARA report clearly shows that in 2020, nearly 43 million florins in assistance under the FASE program were paid without a legal basis. This represents a severe violation of financial regulations and compels us, as parliamentarians, to address this issue with seriousness and responsibility,” Hart stated.

On page 80 of the report, ARA describes several irregularities during the application, evaluation, and payment processes of the FASE program. Among other findings, the report reveals that the responsibility for executing the payments initially fell under the Department of Social Affairs (DAS) but was later transferred to the Department of Finance (DF) to execute payments via the payroll system. However, according to ARA’s findings, the change in procedure was not formally registered, creating a situation where internal controls were insufficient to prevent double payments or administrative errors.

Additionally, the report highlights that the Department of Social Affairs did not have a written procedure for paying cash to beneficiaries without a bank account, a deficiency that could compromise transparency and verification of public funds.

“In a serious rule of law, respect for the law and financial regulations is not an option but an obligation. When irregularities like these arise, it is the responsibility of Parliament to investigate, discuss, and draw conclusions based on facts and evidence,” Hart emphasized.

The parliamentarian also pointed out that the ARA report mentions irregularities in illegal activities related to loans taken by Aruba, including international loans and bond issuances, an issue that also deserves serious institutional evaluation.

Hart emphasized that this call is not a political issue but a matter of public responsibility and respect for the principles of good governance. “Transparency, accountability, and respect for the law are the foundation of public trust. The people of Aruba have the right to know how their funds have been managed and whether legal procedures have been followed,” Hart declared.

As part of strengthening democratic control and financial discipline, Hart formally requested the President of Parliament to convene a meeting on this issue, allowing the Aruba Parliament to evaluate the findings of the Algemene Rekenkamer and provide clear direction on the necessary next steps.

“Parliament is the constitutional forum where issues like this must be addressed. Not to create division but to ensure accountability, transparency, and trust in our institutions,” the parliamentarian concluded.