PPA MP Pieters: Government must enforce ROPV and regulate access to North Coast

ORANJESTAD — PPA parliamentarian Eduard Pieters says that after Parliament reached consensus over the situation on Aruba’s North Coast, the Government must now act and enforce existing law.

According to Pieters, the issue goes beyond ATVs and UTVs. He says the Government has a legal responsibility to implement the Ruimtelijk Ontwikkelingsplan met Voorschriften (ROPV), AB 2021 no. 123, which came into force on September 1, 2021.

Pieters argues that the ROPV does not impose a blanket ban on ATVs, UTVs or all motorized vehicles in natural areas. Instead, he says the Government should establish clear conditions, including designated routes, speed limits, noise levels, limits on vehicle numbers and special protection for environmentally sensitive areas.

“You have to come with the rules,” Pieters stressed.

The PPA parliamentarian criticized both the previous and current governments for failing to fully implement the necessary regulations since 2021, saying political blame-shifting does not solve the problem.

Pieters also emphasized that access to the North Coast affects more than the tourism sector. Fishermen, families, recreational users and emergency services also depend on access to the area.

He is calling on the Government to consult stakeholders, designate routes, impose conditions, protect nature and introduce effective enforcement.

“Protect nature, respect the rights of the people and enforce the law Aruba already has,” Pieters said.