PPA gives Government 48 hours to show ATA tender proof

ORANJESTAD – The PPA parliamentary faction is increasing pressure on the Government to prove that legal procedures were followed in awarding a waste-management contract worth approximately Afl. 2.1 million annually and financed through the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA).

MP Eduard Pieters is demanding evidence of a public tender, the ministerial decree that may have instructed ATA to finance the project and, if those documents cannot be produced, an explanation of how the Government intends to correct the situation.

PPA sent a letter to the Council of Ministers on August 5 and initially gave the Government seven working days to respond. According to Pieters, no response was received. The faction has now issued a reminder and granted an additional 48-hour deadline.

Pieters’ questions focus particularly on Articles 20 and 21 of the ordinance establishing ATA. He argues that if the Government maintains that the contract was awarded properly, it should be able to provide the corresponding documentation.

PPA is also questioning why state-owned Serlimar was not given an opportunity to provide the service. According to Pieters, Serlimar has indicated that it could have the necessary containers available within approximately four weeks.

Pieters stressed that PPA is not opposed to efforts to keep Aruba clean or targeting a particular company. The issue, he said, is whether public funds are being spent in accordance with the law. “The end does not justify the means,” he said.