The government continues to celebrate that Aruba’s economy is growing, tourism is breaking records, and the country has a financial surplus. But for parliamentarian Eduard Pieters (PPA), the question the people really want answered is much simpler. “If Aruba has so much money, where is the money?”
During his weekly press conference, Pieters directly questioned the gap between the positive images presented by the Government and the reality that citizens see every day. According to the leader of the PPA faction, economic success has no value if the people do not feel the result in their daily lives.
The city center continues to die One of the examples Pieters used was the state of Oranjestad. According to Pieters, various local investors have invested millions of florins in buildings and businesses in the city center, but now they are stalled, waiting for the Government to finally give direction regarding the revision of the ROPV (Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan met Voorschriften – Spatial Development Plan with Regulations).
“Investors are not asking for gifts. They are asking for security. They want to know where the Government wants to take the city center before they continue putting millions of florins into the projects.” According to Pieters, uncertainty paralyzes local investments precisely at a time when the Government is talking about economic growth.
“10 meters of clinkers is not a vision” Pieters also criticized what he called the lack of concrete action by the Ministry of Infrastructure. After more than a year and a half in office, the parliamentarian said that the most visible result the people can see in downtown Oranjestad is barely a few meters of new clinker bricks.
“Ten meters of clinkers cannot be presented as a vision to revitalize Oranjestad.” According to Pieters, small embellishments in different parts do not substitute a comprehensive plan to recover the commercial heart of Aruba.
Solutions exist Unlike just criticizing, Pieters also presented several proposals once again. Pieters emphasized that the Government must accelerate the updating of the ROPV to allow more investment in Oranjestad and San Nicolas. Some changes proposed by the PPA:
*increase residential density in the city center;
*allow more vertical construction in certain areas;
*revise zoning to make better use of existing urban space.
According to Pieters, by building more in the city, Aruba can create more housing without continuing to sacrifice nature, such as Burubundo. “If we develop Oranjestad and San Nicolas with more intelligence, we can solve part of the housing crisis, at the same time preserve our natural spaces and stimulate the economy in San Nicolas and Oranjestad.”
A ‘voorbereidingsbesluit’ can activate investment tomorrow Pieters also made a direct appeal to the Minister of Infrastructure. According to Pieters, the Government can immediately sign a voorbereidingsbesluit (preparation decree) to give investors clarity while the complete revision of the ROPV continues. “That alone would allow various local projects that are now stalled to continue moving forward with security regarding their investment.” According to the parliamentarian, every month of uncertainty represents investment that Aruba loses.
The main question remains the same But for Pieters, infrastructure is only a symptom of a larger problem. The Government keeps talking about a surplus. The Government keeps talking about an economic record. But the common citizen does not see the result. “The bodycams and dashcams for the police are still not there. Various roads continue to deteriorate. The supposed lights that were promised to be installed by August 5th are still not there. The city center continues waiting for investment, problems with wandering addicts are out of control, and the cost of living keeps rising.”
Pieters also questioned the apparent contradiction between a country that is financially prospering and various public departments that continue to operate with a lack of investment.
A strong economy is not enough For the PPA, the true success of a government is not measured solely by surplus or economic growth. “It is measured by what the people can see, use, and feel.” And until investments reach infrastructure, security, housing, and urban renewal, the question will remain present.
“Aruba has a surplus. The economy is doing well, but the people have the right to know: where is the money?”, Eduard Pieters concluded.