PPA gives Government deadline to show legal basis for Afl. 2.1 million contract

ORANJESTAD – The PPA parliamentary faction has formally raised concerns over an Afl. 2.1 million contract financed through the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), asking the Council of Ministers to provide documents establishing the legal basis for the process.

Faction leader Eduard Pieters stressed that PPA is not opposing the waste-collection project itself, but wants the Government to demonstrate that the procedure complied with the law. “If everything was done correctly, show the documents,” he said.

PPA is seeking clarification on four main issues: whether a formal ministerial instruction was issued to ATA under Article 20 of its governing ordinance; whether public procurement requirements under Article 21 were followed; whether the project falls within ATA’s statutory mandate; and whether the process respected transparency, equal opportunity and principles of good governance.

According to Pieters, the Government offered extensive verbal explanations during a public parliamentary meeting but has yet to produce the documentary evidence PPA says is necessary. The party is requesting, among other records, procurement documentation, the relevant ministerial decree and other administrative decisions supporting the arrangement.

Pieters said the letter gives the Government an opportunity either to prove that the process was lawful or to correct any shortcomings. If the documentation confirms that all procedures were followed, he said, the legal questions would effectively be resolved. If not, the Government must explain how it intends to remedy the situation.

“The end does not justify the means,” Pieters said, arguing that even a worthwhile project must comply with the law. PPA will review the Government’s formal response before deciding whether further parliamentary or legal action is warranted.