PHILIPSBURG--With 662 of 1,111 VROMI permit applications still pending, Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Viren Kotai is proposing a fee-based fast-track system that would allow applicants to pay for faster administrative processing within a defined timeframe.
Kotai made the proposal during the second day of debate on the draft 2026 budget on Friday, saying the system could help address the permit backlog while creating a legitimate and transparent service for applicants who require faster processing.
The figures presented show that 247 applications were received in 2022, of which 82 remain pending. In 2023, 260 applications were received and 101 remain pending. In 2024, 189 were received and 123 remain pending. In 2025, 260 applications were received and 206 remain pending. Thus far in 2026, 155 applications have been received, with 150 still pending.
This means that 1,111 applications were received over the period, with 662 still pending and 449 no longer pending.
Kotai stressed that the 449 applications should not automatically be described as permits issued because the information provided only identifies applications that are no longer pending. Some applications could have been denied, withdrawn or otherwise closed.
He therefore called on the Ministry to provide Parliament with the actual number of permits issued, applications rejected, applications withdrawn and applications still pending for each year.
Kotai said the trend in pending applications was particularly concerning, with the pending rate increasing from 33.2% in 2022 to 38.8% in 2023, 65.1% in 2024, 79.2% in 2025 and 96.8% thus far in 2026.
He questioned whether the backlog could realistically be resolved at the current pace.
Kotai said the backlog also presents an opportunity for VROMI to improve its services while potentially generating additional revenue. He proposed exploring an official tiered permit-processing system under which applicants could choose between the regular processing period and an expedited service for an additional fee.
Under his proposal, applicants using the regular service would pay the standard fee and follow the normal process, while those requiring faster service could pay a higher officially established fee for a shorter, guaranteed processing timeframe.
Kotai stressed that paying more should not mean purchasing an approval. “Paying more should never mean buying an approval; it should only mean paying for faster administrative processing and a decision within a defined timeframe.”
He said expedited applications would still have to meet the same legal, technical and planning requirements.
Kotai also questioned whether parts of the permit-processing system could be outsourced to a qualified external company through a transparent procurement process if VROMI does not currently have enough internal capacity.
Under the approach he described, Government would remain the regulatory authority and retain final decision-making responsibility, while external capacity could help clear the backlog and process new applications within established service levels.
Kotai asked whether VROMI has explored a tiered, fee-based expedited permit-processing system and whether the Ministry has calculated how much additional revenue such a system could generate.
He also asked whether outsourcing parts of the permit review process has been considered, what additional staffing or external capacity would be needed to guarantee defined processing times, and whether additional revenue could be used to strengthen the department and improve the permitting system.
Kotai said the backlog cannot simply be allowed to continue without changes to the way applications are processed.
