Pieters(PPA) : Five months later, Census appointments still unavailable amid alleged illegal slot sales

ORANJESTAD – PPA parliamentary leader Eduard Pieters is again raising concerns over the continued lack of Census Office appointments for people who have already received permits to live and work in Aruba.

According to Pieters, five months after his first warning in March, the problem remains unresolved and there are now reports that appointment slots are allegedly being sold illegally for between Afl. 50 and Afl. 200.

Pieters places political responsibility on Minister Dowers, stressing that Census management and staff should not be blamed. He argues that if the government increases the number of permits issued, it must also provide the Census Office with enough staff, funding and systems to handle the additional demand.

He is calling for an urgent investigation into the alleged sale of appointments. While no formal complaint has yet been filed, Pieters says the reports circulating on social media are serious enough to warrant immediate attention.

Pieters also warned that delays in registration can affect access to social insurance, financing and other essential services. He said the Ombudsman has also raised concerns and that PPA has submitted new questions to the government.