Aruba to overhaul building permit process following major delays

Aruba’s Minister of Public Works, René Herdé, has announced a major overhaul of the island’s building permit process following criticism regarding significant delays. Business representatives from Comerciantenan Uni di Aruba raised concerns over wait times that often exceed six months for construction approvals.

Minister Herdé attributed the delays to poor coordination between government departments, insufficient investment, and staffing shortages. He noted that some departments are operating at roughly half their required capacity and are hindered by outdated software and aging hardware.

To address these issues, the government has begun reorganizing several departments to modernize procedures and introduce more efficient digital systems. The initiative aims to improve communication and transparency through updated software and staff training.