News

As expected, the turnout was low for Wednes­day’s referendum on the new law on the secret services, also known as “sleepwet” in the Netherlands. People, who did come out to vote, complained about a lack of information. Citizens could also vote by letter at the Dutch repre­sentations in Aruba, Curacao …

On Sunday March 18, 2018 the Child Rights Film Premiere Gala was held at Queens Gardens Resort on Saba. This event was made possible by UNICEF Netherlands, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Child Focus Foundation. In total 9 children participated in the Film Project. The children had the opportunity to create two short films …

The Court of First Instance in Saba last week heard the criminal case against G.C.G., who stood trial for stabbing a man in August 2017. The Prosecutor found it proven that she was guilty of stab­bing the man, which was considered a case of attempted manslaughter. The Judge, however, acquitted …

A covenant to strengthen the joint approach of financial-economic crime in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba was signed Monday in Bonaire by department heads of the Prosecutor’s Office, Carib­bean Netherlands Police Force KPCN, Kingdom De­tectives Cooperation Team RST, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, Financial Intelligence Unit, Fiscal Intel­ligence and Investigation Service FIOD …

On Tuesday March 20th, 2018, KPCN presented the crime numbers of 2017 to the Island Council of Saba. During this presentation police registered statistics regarding traffic, property crimes, violent crimes and drugs related crimes were discussed. The traffic numbers registered show that compared to 2016 there has been a decrease …

On Monday, March 12th, 2018, Commissioner of Tourism, Bruce Zagers, met with hotel and dive shop owners to discuss recent updates within Saba’s tourism industry and upcoming projects for 2018. Included within the discussion was the upcoming plan for a redesigned Saba Tourism website, the upgrade of the building and …

Unicef Netherlands and Child Focus Foundation Saba are collaborating in the production of two short Child Right Films. The topic of the short film was selected based on the drawing competition, which was held on Friday February 16, 2018. The winning drawing depicted the Child Rights Article 28 and 29, that all …

The Dutch Government is contemplat­ing a number of measures to improve the means of communication in St. Eu­statius and Saba to ensure that a reliable system is in place in case of a disaster such as a hurricane. Dutch Minister of Justice and Security Ferd Grapper­haus sent a letter to …

Saba made the headlines in the Netherlands on Thursday with the news that Dutch marine biologists during their research of the Saba Bank discovered a section of coral reef that was in a surprisingly good state. Scientists of Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and the Netherlands Institute for Maritime Research …

Heleen Conet will exibit in Saba’s Five Squares Art Gallery. The opening will be performed  by Lt. Governor Mr. Jonathan Johnson on March 24 at 5 pm . *Heleen Cornet* was born in Holland. She obtained a degree in education and a master’s degree in fine arts from the Academy of Fine …

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) has approved Saba’s plans for finalizing the water project this year. During a visit from a delegation from Saba to the Netherlands, led by Commissioner Bruce Zagers, the plans for the remaining works were presented. The proposed plans are based on the …

Pension Fund Caribbean Nederlands (PCN) today has founded the so called  Participatiemaatschappij Caribisch Nederland (PMCN) at the office of Notary Public, Kenneth Arends. PCN wants to use the investment company to give shape to its local investments. “For strategic reasons, we have chosen to set up a local investment vehicle”, …

At the end of March, the repre­sentatives of the National Ombudsman are coming to the Caribbean Netherlands. During consultation hours they will receive complaints about the Government agencies in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. They can assist residents with problems with, for exam­ple, the Dutch Caribbean Tax Authorities, the Prosecu­tor’s …

On Saturday, March 10th a man with initials S.S.J.G. was detained on Saba, regarding (heavy) abuse. On Sunday, March 11th  a man with the initials W.B.G. was detained at a house at Under the Hill Road on Saba, regarding threatening with a weapon. KPCN

Some 15 students of the 5th form of Saba Comprehensive School (SCS) were informed about studying abroad. Dahlia Hassell, a master student Marine Resources Management at Wageningen University and Research, visited her former high school during her holidays to give a personal lecture. She did that on behalf of Stichting …

Correction: In the first version of this post the columns “Upload” and “Download” speeds had been interchanged. The information is now correct. Satel NV introduces new bundled telephone/internet packages that offer great cost reductions to its Saba clients. The new packages include  more calling options like International dialing and *FREE* local dialing. …

Preparations have started for what will be Saba’s larg­est infrastructural project ever: the expansion of the harbour at Fort Bay that in­cludes the construction of a second, larger pier. A so-called sub-soil study, which entails the testing of the sea floor in the direct vicinity of the new pier, is …

The Saba Government keeps looking at ways to increase access to the island by sea and air. Not an easy task with the high airfares, the dependability on hurri­cane-hit St. Maarten and to a certain extent the re­luctance to cater to Saba’s wishes and needs. Accessibility to Saba is a …

The Dutch National Disaster Fund (NRF) announced today that funds are available for the rebuilding of the three Dutch Windward Islands (Sint Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) due to the damage caused by Hurricane Irma last September. The funds to be made available will go towards community projects, projects for …

Saba Commissioner Bruce Zagers looks back at a very successful visit to the Netherlands. During the two weeks, Zagers and his small delegation, were able to table Saba’s issues and concerns at the various ministries in The Hague. “There is comprehension for Saba’s issues. It is a new, positive environment …

Saba is continuing its efforts to become an even greener eco-tourism destination. The agreement that Saba Commissioner Bruce Zagers signed with Green Destinations certification agency in the Netherlands on Thursday serves to confirm that objective. Some three years ago, Saba won a Green Destinations silver award, and now it wants to …

This week, representatives from Saba’s tourism team are attending the 38th Annual Heineken Regatta at Port de Plaisance. Saba’s booth in the Regatta Village opened on the first registration day, February 27th and will remain open until March 4th. The representatives will be promoting Saba not only to the sailors …

On March 1st the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland officially launches its new website. You can access this online platform for all relevant information about the services and departments of RCN. You will also find the latest news, vacancies and more information about working at the government. Online visitors can easily find …

Since October 2017, money held in bank accounts by residents of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba is protected up to USD 10,000 per person, per bank. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), responsible for managing the deposit guarantee for the Caribbean Netherlands, considers it important that residents are aware of the existence …

The Saba del­egation led by Commissioner Bruce Zagers met with several members of the First and Sec­ond Chambers of the Dutch Par­liament last week. The meetings were deemed constructive and inspiring. The Saba delegation met with members of the First Cham­ber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations and with members of …

Commissioner Ro­lando Wilson was among representatives of the Dutch Overseas Coun­tries and Territories OCTs of the European Union (EU), discussing OCTs future after 2020 with Eu­ropean Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica. On behalf of OCT, Saba Commissioner Wilson made a passionate plea for more regional coop­eration in the …

Last week Commissioner Bruce Zagers and Island Secretary Tim Muller met with Director General (DG) Roald Lapperre at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) in The Hague. Mr. Lapperre recently started as the new DG Environment and International Affairs. The Commissioner and Island Secretary had a pleasant introductory …

From February 16 until February 25, 2018, 30 children between the ages of 4 to 18 years old were offered the opportunity to receive swimming lessons by coach Nelson Manuel from Curaçao. “Swimming is an important skill for children to develop, according to Child Focus Program Manager Caroline Teeuwen. Swimming …

All children must be able to participate. Also children who grow up in a family with a low income. With the subsidy scheme “Opportunities for all Children”, the Cabinet makes resources available to help children. The subsidy scheme is intended for supplies that children from 0 to 18 years are …

The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) are joining forces to establish a direct air link between Bonaire and the Winward islands. This week, Ruud Peters (Head of the Shared Service Organization RCN) signed the agreement with Winair on …

Greg Slyngstad’s American Bieker 53 multihull Fujin has capsized during the RORC Caribbean 600 near Saba. All eight crew are safe. On Tuesday the ship was moored in front of Fort Bay, upside down. Stephen Cucchiaro’s Gunboat 60 Flow stood by until Dutch/ French authorities organised a rescue vessel. Preparations …

Saba Health Care Foundation (SHCF) will start the renovation of A.M. Edwards Medical Center in the Bottom in March. To make sure that the patient clinic can remain up and running SHCF has decided to move the clinic to a temporary location. During the renovation, which is SHCF’s biggest renovation …

In 2017, the trade deficits of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba were higher than in the previous year. In relative terms, St Eustatius saw the sharpest increase in annual deficit. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports this on the basis of new figures. The Caribbean Netherlands has a structural trade deficit, with …

Saba Electric Company N.V. hereby informs its customers that there is the possibility of a brownout or blackout in the supply of electricity on Monday, February 19th, 2018, and Tuesday, February 20th, 2018, as it is in the process of finalizing its first solar park installation. A brownout, in this …

The Commissioner of Finance and Infrastructure, Bruce Zagers, and Island Secretary Tim Muller will be in The Hague for the next two weeks to discuss this year’s plans of the Public Entity and address longer term issues once more in the relevant Ministries. Central themes of the visit will be: …

Saba Health Care Foundation welcomes family physician Dr. Lennart Bergwerff Originally from Friesland in the Netherlands Dr. lennart recently moved to Saba together with his family to be one of the 2 new physicians.  Some of you might remember him from last year when he worked here as a temporary …

On January 28th, the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department (BKCN) started with the training of 12 new colleagues; 3 from Saba, 2 from St. Eustatius and 7 from Bonaire. The participants will be trained for Fireman-A. They will learn about fire control, technical aid and accidents involving dangerous substances. Additionally in …

On Dec 7, 2017 The European Council and European Parliament Decision designating 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage was adopted on 17 May 2017, based on the European Commission’s proposal of 30 August 2016 The year belongs to all to experience, appreciate, and enjoy cultural heritage. Everyone is …

On November 30th and December 1st ,2017 the employment conditions negotiations for the civil servants started. It was a wish of the unions to have an agreement in time because of the expiring CAO 2016-2017. Negotiations continued on January 18, 2018 and resulted in a negotiation result. The result was …

New and existing entrepreneurs in St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius can now access microloans up to US $25,000 at two per cent interest, personal mentor­ing and business development tools from Dutch funding foundation Qredits. The low-interest loans are backed by the Dutch Recovery Fund. Entrepreneurs will only pay back …