WILLEMSTAD.- In the framework of the exercises that the Government has done to get figures ready, it can be observed that 435 permits that people asked for the construction of houses or permits, or permits for adjustment or change, until now many have not collected said permits at the Urban Department (ROP). This brings an amount of 650 thousand guilders that said permits represent. Says the Minister of Traffic, Transportation and Urban Planning, Mrs. Zita Jesus-Leito. She believes that it is necessary to clarify this situation to know what is happening.
She continued explaining for example how people ask for building permits. At the time of requesting the permit, interested parties must pay a fee. In many cases this represents half of the total sum based on the value of the property. But it has become customary that at the moment a person is called to collect their permission, they are left without taking it, and yet they begin with the construction. And this happens simply to avoid paying the rest of the money they have pending with the construction permit in reference.
According to the minister, during the meeting of the central committee of Parliament to discuss the Government’s budget, he clearly said that this is a weak point in the process. The consequence this brings is that the government will be making changes in the charges that has to be paid when someone submits a petition for a construction permit. This obviously it is clear that the system will be influenced by this kind of behavior.
Later in the meeting, a question arose: What does the Government fail to gain from illegal construction?
Mrs. Leito points out that if you look at how much money ROP has on the streets, regarding the illegal construction it’s at least a few million. She cannot mention a specific amount nor can she calculate yet. But the Government intends to come with a new plan to address this in such a way, that those who build illegally pay in one way or another and thus contribute to the government’s cash. Many people don’t do certain things, but at the moment when a family or acquaintance illegally builds, those who do really pay, are finally the ones who cover the relevant expenses.
