According to Raad van Advies, RvA, the island’s often-ignored, official body of counsel-guidance-advice, in charge of reviewing policies and laws, BEFORE they go to parliament, running this country with eight ministers makes no economic sense, seven should be plenty.
Also the dividion of portfolios announced at the creation of the coalition, makes no sense at all because portfolios were divided to suit ministers and personalities, not to serve the country.
Basically in coalition talks, the dividion of ministries among political leaders was guided by political conveniences, and the pairings, as they stand today, are irrational.
RvA illustrates the point by saying that three of the eight ministers control 3% of the budget, each, while two others control more than 50%.
It should be more balanced, they say. It cannot all fall on two pairs shoulders.
Introducing LIM
When the coalition talks concluded successfully, and portfolios assigned, the agreement was written into law, LIM, and sent for feedback to RvA, before being sent to parliament for deliberation, questions, answers, and a final vote.
Apparently, Aruba writes a new LIM every four years, because the portfolios flip plop and reshuffle, and the grouping of ministries changes every time, a practice RvA denounces.
What we have now, versus what we should have:
Evelyn C. Wever-Croes — Minister of General Affairs, Innovation, Governmental Organization, Infrastructure, Territorial Planning, Prime Minister.
Our MinPres kept two controversial and lucrative ministries under her wing. These two ministries were misused and abused under previous administrations, and resulted in a number of lengthy/costly investigations, and allegation of corruption, so perhaps she feels they are safer with her. Though many will disagree with this last statement.
And while Innovation gets no ministry in the RvA document, logically, Infrastructure and Territorial Planning, should be assigned to a trust-worthy minister with Communication and Nature thrown in, because they are related.
Geoffrey B. Wever — Minister of Economic Affairs, Communication and Sustainability.
This workload received much criticism, because Economic Affairs, should be paired with Tourism, and cannot stand on its own, on an island with Tourism as the main economic pillar. Additionally, Sustainability belongs up there with Tourism, Energy and Transport, otherwise it is empty of content.
Ursell M. Arends — Minister di Integrity, Nature, Transport and Elderly Care.
This workload was questioned because Nature should go with of Infrastructure, and Territorial Planning. Elderly Care should be attached to the Minister of Health, and Integrity adopted by the Prime Minster.
Xiomara J. Maduro — Minister di Finance and Culture.
This big workload, Finance, should be a standalone with an added responsibility for the Dutch suggested reforms = Landspakket. Culture doesn’t belong in the mix, though the pretty minister looks great in pictures from art openings.
Rocco G. Tjon — Minister di Justice and Social Affairs.
This is an awkward match because Justice should be paired with Integration/Immigration, and is at the other end of the spectrum from Social Affairs.
Glenbert F. Croes — Minister di Labor, Integration and Energy.
This work load defiles logic, but makes total political sense, because Integration should answer to Justice. When paired with Labor, controlling the immigration faucet, it becomes a political tool. Energy logically matches with the minister in charge of Sustainability, Tourism and Transport.
Danguillaume P. Oduber — Minister di Public Health & Tourism.
This pairing is odd, because Public Health, including mental health and elderly care, should go together with Labor, and Tourism belongs with Economic Affairs.
Jan H. “Endy” Croes — Minister of Education and Sport
This minister’s work could be more organic and effective if he had Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Sport, within his dominion.
The following is what RvA suggests, and not just for 4 years, but for at least eight, in order to create more stability and continuity in GOA’s trajectoory.
- Prime Minister, in charge of General Affairs, Government Organization, and Integrity.
- Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, Transport, Sustainability and Energy.
- Minister of Finance, including all state owned entities, & Dutch suggested reforms = Landspakket.
- Minister of Infrastructure, Communication, Territorial Planning and Nature.
- Minister of Social Affair, Education, Culture and Sport.
- Minister of Public Health, including mental health and elderly care, and Labor.
- Minister of Justice, Integration and Immigration
As I said, RvA, is the island’s often-ignored, official body of counsel-guidance-advice is often-ignored.
