WILLEMSTAD - Since the reintroduction of paid parking in Willemstad in October, questions have been raised about its management and financial accountability. Both the legacy system and the newly implemented parking company have come under scrutiny, sparking concerns from the public and financial watchdogs.
Outstanding Payments from Former Operator
The General Audit Chamber (ARC) has revealed that Parking Authority Curaçao (PAC), the company previously responsible for parking operations, has yet to settle millions of guilders in payments owed to the government. This revelation has prompted calls for the government to clarify how these overdue payments will be resolved.
The government has acknowledged the issue, stating that agreements were made with PAC, but arbitration is required to determine the exact amount still owed.
Issues with the New Operator
The recently established Willemstad Parking Benefit District (WPBD), tasked with managing the city’s parking system, has also faced criticism. Under its agreement with the government, WPBD is expected to remit a minimum of 230,000 guilders annually to public coffers. However, these revenues have yet to appear in the national budget, raising questions about the company’s financial transparency.
Concerns have also been voiced over how parking fees are collected and allocated, with limited oversight reportedly in place.
Government Response
In response to the criticisms, the government stated that a management agreement was set up in advance to ensure WPBD’s compliance with its financial obligations. While the current budget does not yet reflect parking revenues, officials have committed to including them in a supplementary budget for 2025.
The government has also emphasized its intent to provide greater transparency and oversight for the new parking system moving forward.