Minister Herdé was present in Parliament to handle the 2026 budget for DOW (Department of Public Works). This was a budget we hoped would bring relief to the people, especially for the thousands of motorists who use our roads daily. “That unfortunately was not the case; it was more like ‘wishful thinking’,” Oduber expressed.
Million-dollar surplus but roads in shambles One would think that a government with an abundance of money—with a surplus of 500 million florins—would have listened to those crying out for better infrastructure. MP Oduber highlighted the bitter reality of motorists who must drive daily on dirt roads and roads filled with potholes. “We are talking about roads in shambles that damage tires, rims, and shocks. We expected much more understanding from the government, considering the amount of money they have at their disposal,” Oduber stated.
The contrast is clear: every week Minister Wever boasts about how good Aruba’s financial situation is and how our credit ratings have risen. However, Oduber questions why this “good situation” does not translate into relief for the people.
From 18 Million to a miserable 3.5 Million What MP Oduber considers most damnable is the fact that the Government removed 18 million florins that were destined to asphalt various roads in Aruba. According to the MP, the only argument the “pinch hitter” Minister Herdé had for this decision was that there is a new minister and a new policy. To be exact, MP Oduber recalled that on February 24, 2025, DOW held a press conference announcing an investment of the 18 million florins budgeted by the Wever-Croes II Cabinet to repair various roads. However, after the change in government, Minister Herdé decided to REMOVE these funds.
While one might have thought they removed that sum to add more, Minister Herdé instead allocated a miserable 3.5 million florins for asphalt for the year 2026. Oduber emphasized that in a country that produces 7 billion florins and a Government with a 500 million surplus, this is shameful. This is a lack of respect for the people—to allocate only 3.5 million florins for road repairs, an amount that covers barely 7.5 kilometers of road.
“This is a lack of respect! While the people cry out for better roads, the government invests money where they want and not where the real need is. A 500 million surplus and you put 3.5 million for asphalt? That is a slap in the face of the people!” Oduber concluded.