In recent years, more and more residents in Curaçao have been confronted with a troubling trend: inaccurate payment notices, incorrect tax demands, and administrative miscommunication originating directly from government institutions. Even when citizens pay on time and in full, they still receive claims for amounts they never owed and for debts that never existed.
One of the clearest examples lies in the processing of the Waste Disposal Tax (AFS). Many households pay this fee monthly through their Aqualectra bill, which includes the specific Selikor charge. These payments are processed automatically through the bank, yet some citizens suddenly find themselves receiving demands from the Receiver — sometimes even for periods long settled.
The fault does not lie with the citizen.
It lies in the administrative disconnect between Aqualectra, Selikor, and the Receiver.
One missing entry or internal miscommunication is enough to label a perfectly compliant resident as a delinquent payer.
When Systems Fail, Citizens Are Punished
Instead of first verifying internally whether an error has occurred, the government often sends out immediate payment notices — with additional fees, warnings, and implied consequences. The tone is accusatory, as if the citizen has acted irresponsibly, while the real irresponsibility lies within the government’s own administrative system.
A government that behaves this way does not merely create confusion—it shifts its own chaos onto the public.
The Legal Principle Is Simple
He who claims, must prove.
If a government asserts that a citizen owes money, the burden of proof lies entirely with the government — not with the individual.
When citizens can clearly demonstrate that payments have been made consistently through automated channels, the government should not demand first and verify later. Transparency is not a favor; it is an obligation.
The Human Impact Is Often Ignored
A faulty notice is not just an administrative glitch.
It produces stress, insecurity, and frustration — especially among those who always pay their bills conscientiously. Not everyone knows how to file an objection, and not everyone has the energy to battle a mistake they did not cause.
A government that offloads its administrative mistakes onto its citizens ultimately undermines its own credibility.
Digital Systems Without Accountability
The most troubling aspect?
These issues arise in an age of automated systems, digital payments, and integrated databases — precisely the environment where accuracy should be highest.
Yet as long as Aqualectra, Selikor, and the Receiver fail to maintain synchronized and reliable administrative flows, citizens remain vulnerable to institutional disorganization.
What Must Change
• Verification before sending notices
• Reliable and transparent data-sharing between institutions
• Clear explanations for alleged outstanding balances
• Respect for residents who meet their obligations
• A government willing to take responsibility for its own errors
Final Thought
The relationship between government and citizen depends on trust.
That trust cannot exist when the government punishes citizens for flaws in its own systems.
Citizens should never be made to pay for the government’s mistakes — not now, not ever.
Tico Vos
