News

When inhabitants of the Caribbean Netherlands complain that they feel Dutch people are swamping their islands they are partially right; more than 3,000 persons moved from the Netherlands to Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in the past fi ve years. Between 2010, the year that the islands became Dutch public …

An increasing number of patients from St. Eustatius and Saba are being referred to St. Maarten and St. Martin for specialist medical care. In the first half of this year, a total of 1,108 patients went to the hospital in St. Maarten and St. Martin. The medical referral numbers were …

The skeleton of a pregnant woman from approximately the mid-eighteenth century was discovered Tuesday, near the construction site for Saba’s new power plant above Fort Bay. The find was investigated by Jay. B. Haviser of Saba Archaeological Centre SABARC and senior researcher at the Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University, …

Commissioner of Education Chris Johnson recently visited the schools to personally congratulate the four educational institutions with their success in attaining the basic quality standards of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The institutions include Saba Comprehensive School, Sacred Heart School, Saba Reach Foundation and Expertise Centre Education Care. …

Saba’s oldest political party Windward Islands People’s Movement (WIPM) celebrated its 45th anniversary last month, writes The Daily Herald. To commemorate the occasion party members handed over a cheque of US $4,500 to the Saba Lion’s Club to assist them with their annual Christmas activities. These include Santa Claus’ visit …

The Dutch Government has made US $240,000 available to appoint a policy coordinator for children’s rights and domestic violence for Saba who will execute the Children’s Rights Action Plan on the island. Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk stated this in a letter to the Second …

On December 14th, the Caribbean Netherlands Guardianship Council officially said farewell to Ms. Anastacia Simmons during a reception at Island Flavour Restaurant in The Bottom. Important chain partners were also present to bid farewell to Ms. Simmons. After more than 37 years working at the Guardianship Council Anastacia has officially …

The Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department section St. Eustatius in an effort to aid Saba fire victim, Miss Leverock, held a fundraising food sale on Tuesday December 15th. This was collaboration with the Nustar Fire Team. Both Fire Departments express profound gratitude to the community at large for their support. Miss …

The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Thursday approved the Netherlands St. Maarten Tax Regulation to avoid double taxation and to prevent the evasion of income tax between the two countries. The new law will become effective early 2016. The taxes to which the tax regulation, arranged by Kingdom …

Starting the 1st of January 2016, KNMI will provide the meteorological and seismological services for the Caribbean Netherlands. Besides the weather forecasts for the general public, KNMI will also take care of the weather forecasts and specific weather bulletins for air and ship traffic. For extreme circumstances, such as hurricanes, …

The Chamber of Commerce of St. Eustatius and Saba held a by-election on Tuesday, December 8, to fill three seats on the Board, one for Saba and two for Statia, the Chamber stated Wednesday. On Saba, there were no registered candidates for this election. Kelly A. Johnson, a current member …

Caribbean Sail Training (CST) member vessel Regina Maris was the second Tall Ship this past week to be hosted by the Port de Marigot during their short visit here. The vessel sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Amsterdam and left Wednesday for a visit to St. Eustatius. On board for …

The Caribbean Netherlands Health Insurance Office ZVK has started its own magazine called “Secure!” and director Arnoud Bosten (right) presented a copy to National Representative Gilbert Isabella. The first edition of the monthly publication in English, Papiamento and Dutch is dedicated to the five-year anniversary of ZVK in Bonaire, St. …

The ninth Annual Saba People’s Choice Award Show was held Saturday at Eugenius A. Johnson Centre in Windwardside, writes The Daily Herald. Organised by Malofi Foundation and Lorsim Productions, and hosted by Lorna Simmons, the programme included a talent and culture show. During the presentation of the awards there were …

A mysterious canine illness has quickly hit Saba, writes The Daily Herald. Seven dogs have been showing similar symptoms in the past four days. “At this time the only common factor is that all of the dogs have been swimming at Cove Bay and or Fort Bay,” Saba’s Veterinary Technician …

The Saba Lions Club held their Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Eugenius A. Johnson Centre in Windwardside on Friday, December 11, writes The Daily Herald. The tree was officially lit at approximately 7:30pm. Despite the intermittent rain showers, carols were sung and a large crowd was in attendance …

The Public Entity has released their standpoint on the constitutional evaluation. This standpoint is a reaction to the report that was released by the Committee Spies on October 12th 2015. The document is the result of consultations with a large number of stakeholders on Saba, including the Advisory Committee that …

On Thursday, The Island Council of Saba discussed and adopted the Public Entity’s standpoint on the constitutional evaluation. The standpoint is a reaction to the report that was released by the Committee Spies on October 12. The document is the result of consultations with a large number of stakeholders in …

The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament wants a structural solution for the limited financial resources that the Dutch National Ombudsman has to work with in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Member of the Second Chamber Roelof van Laar of the Labour Party PvdA called it “unacceptable” that the Ombudsman …

Subsequent to the annual maintenance of the hyperbaric facility at Fort Bay on Saba in early November, a team from Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) visited the island December 1-8, to evaluate the status of the chamber and train the dedicated volunteers under their Recompression Chamber Assistance Programme (RCAP). Saba’s facility …

Further integration of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba into the Dutch Constellation is not an option for the liberal democratic VVD party, said Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament André Bosman (VVD) on Thursday. “I want to tell the people of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba that …

The Dutch Health Care Inspectorate IGZ has revoked the increased supervision on Saba’s home for the elderly, the Honourable Henry Carlyle Every Home. The structural shortcomings have been addressed, the IGZ announced on Thursday. IGZ imposed increased supervision on The Home in October 2014 for a period of six months …

In 2014, the largest occupational group in the Caribbean Netherlands were construction workers including bricklayers, pavers and carpenters. Nearly 12 percent of the 13 thousand people working a the three special municipalities formed part of this occupational group. Clerical support staff also a large group The second largest occupational group, …

The Island Governor of the Public Entity Saba December 3rd, 2015 PUBLIC NOTICE The Island Governor of the Public Entity Saba hereby cares to inform you that a Public Island Council meeting will be held on Thursday December 10th , 2015 at 10:00 am at the Government Administration Building. The …

RBC Royal Bank on Tuesday launched its EZPay mobile payment systems, which can be used by entrepreneurs and businesspersons while on the go. The machines accept credit card payments outside of an office environment and are ideal for businesspersons such as taxi drivers, small business owners, delivery drivers, contractors, plumbers, …

The budget of Dutch National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen to carry out his work in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will not be structurally increased for now. Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk stated in a letter which he sent to the Ombudsman on Tuesday, that …

The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, on Tuesday, carried a motion requesting the Dutch Government to guarantee a subsistence minimum for people in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, writes The Daily Herald. The motion was an initiative of Member of Parliament (MP) Roelof van Laar of the Labour Party …

The fortieth anniversary celebration of Saba Day wrapped up with an exciting weekend that included a full schedule of events. Saturday started with the boats heading out on their quest for Wahoo at one minute after midnight. Next was the gruelling Island Cross Country Run from Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport …

Domino’s Pizza and Winair gave students in Saba a delicious treat in honour of Saba Day, celebrated last Friday, writes The Daily Herald. Domino’s said “many pizzas” were flown by Winair to Saba on Friday where a representative of Domino’s and Winair delivered them to the island’s schoolchildren. “It’s pretty …

The strong family bonds between Saba and St. Maarten can “never be broken” and form the basis for the islands to “continue to work together and develop,” said United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger on the occasion of Saba Day. The neighbouring Dutch Caribbean island …

Dutch State Secretary of Public Health, Wellbeing and Sports Martin van Rijn promised after his visit to Bonaire and Saba late September that he would continue to work in the best interest of providing optimal health care and to prevent domestic violence on the islands. In a letter he sent …

Saba Day kicked off Friday with the ringing of all church bells at 6:00am, followed by an ecumenical church service at Mount Scenery Seventh Day Adventist Church in The Bottom. After a minor rain delay, a procession with Island Governor Jonathan Johnson as well as local and visiting dignitaries was …

Bonaire Commissioner Clark Abraham (far left) recently received a delegation from Saba that included Commissioners Chris Johnson and Bruce Zagers, as well as Island Secretary Tim Muller, writes The Daily Herald. They visited two water purification projects of government-owned utility company WEB (photo) together with Bonaire’s other Commissioners Norbert Silberie …

Parents in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will be receiving children’s allowance per January 1, 2016, now that the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament has agreed to approve the new Caribbean Netherlands Children’s Allowance Law as a formality next week. The Senate’s Permanent Committees for Kingdom Relations and for …

Note editor: we have received a request from the directors of SHS, SCS, SRF, and EC2 to update the article originally published in The Daily Herald. See below. On November 5th and 6th, the Dutch Inspectorate of Education visited the Sacred Heart Primary School (SHS), the Saba Comprehensive School (SCS), the …

Recently a delegation from the Caribbean Netherlands field of education participated in the 26th meeting of CANTA (Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies) in Trinidad & Tobago. CANTA is the coordinating institution that supervises the uniform implementation of competency-based training and its examination and certification within the CARICOM area. The …

Sparked by the recent report of the Caribbean Netherlands Evaluation Committee, the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament has formulated a number of questions regarding the poverty, subsistence minimum and the level of services provided by government in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Members of the Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee …

The Pre-Saba Day RCN Public Entity Volleyball Tournament concluded with a thrilling battle as Block Party beat previously undefeated Sinking Bullets. Both teams played extremely well and the matches were back and forth until Block Party finally tasted victory with a closely battled 5th set. A good crowd attended the …

On Sunday, Saba Lions Club organised their yearly Christmas bingo and food sale. For many years this has been the club’s most popular fundraising event, and this year was no exception with a full house at Eugenius Johnson Centre and all bingo cards sold out, writes The Daily Herald. Next …

Sheritsa Oleana became the first woman from Saba to capture the crown in the fi nals of Saba Idol singing competition, which concluded Friday night at Scout’s Place in Windwardside, writes The Daily Herald. The house was packed with an enthusiastic crowd. After strong performances from the three finalists, Oleana …