The Bureau for Integrity Aruba (BIA) has taken an additional step in strengthening integrity within the government apparatus with the certification of a new group of Integrity Trust Persons (Vertrouwenspersoon Integriteit – VPI) and Internal Investigators (Interne Onderzoeker – IO).
During the ceremony at Kulture Cafe San Nicolas, in the presence of Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers, the new professionals signed their declaration, confirming the responsibility they assume alongside their regular function as public employees.
Director of the Bureau for Integrity Aruba, mr. Marielle Meaux, explained that with this new group, BIA expands the number of available people within the Government whom public employees can approach when they have a concern, doubt, or situation related to integrity.
The Integrity Trust Person (VPI) functions as a trusted person who can listen to and guide an employee regarding the steps they can take. An important aspect, according to Meaux, is that the VPIs work in different government services. This gives employees the freedom to choose which trusted person they feel most comfortable approaching.
At the same time, the internal investigators form part of a pool of professionals who can be active when there is a need to conduct an investigation within a government service. Depending on the nature of the case, the most appropriate expertise can be sought, for example in the social, financial, or IT areas.
Meaux emphasized that not every integrity situation has to start as a big case. Precisely the availability of the VPIs and internal investigators can help identify and address signals in a timely manner.
The sooner an employee can approach a trusted person, or the sooner a situation can be investigated, the more opportunity there is to address a problem before it becomes a bigger one. Additionally, an investigation can reveal opportunities to improve systems and procedures within a service.
Minister Dowers connected this development with the shared responsibility for integrity within the Government. During the ceremony, he emphasized that the certified professionals assume a task that demands confidentiality, objectivity, and responsibility, but that ultimately every person within the government apparatus has a role in maintaining an integrity culture.
Meaux congratulated the new VPIs and internal investigators and expressed her appreciation both to them and to those already active in these functions.
With the expansion of the network, BIA aims to make support on integrity more accessible within the Government and create the possibility to act earlier, prevent escalation, and continue strengthening the functioning of public services.
