WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Social Development, Labor, and Welfare (SOAW) has been placed under strict financial supervision until a new minister is appointed by the KEM political party. This decision comes after a series of irregularities were discovered in the ministry’s expenses.
Finance Minister Javier Silvania, of the MFK party, who is also temporarily overseeing SOAW, is now required to personally approve all expenditures from the ministry above one cent. The supervision measure was formalized in a ministerial decree signed by Silvania on Friday. However, the decree, which is yet to be made public, does not specify the reasons for the move.
KEM, which will soon nominate a new SOAW minister, called for the supervision following its support for the Pisas II cabinet after the resignation of PNP ministers, including former SOAW Minister Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia.
Jason Fullinck, KEM’s newly appointed chief of staff, revealed that a recent review uncovered spending discrepancies. Some expenses did not match the ministry's budget, and payments had been authorized by an individual who was reportedly on vacation at the time.
The financial oversight will remain in place until further notice, as the ministry awaits new leadership and seeks to rectify its budgetary issues.