The subsidy for internet connections in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will continue until mid-2022, Dutch caretaker Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Stef Blok announced on Monday. In a letter that he sent to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, Blok explained that the decision-taking about the continuation …
Read More »Old batteries removed from Mt. Scenery by helicopter
Through a creative solution, a large amount of old batteries has been brought down from Mt. Scenery. The batteries were removed using a helicopter that came to Saba from Saint Martin on Friday, October 29 to lift new communication equipment to the top of Mt. Scenery. The Public Entity Saba …
Read More »Police report of Friday, October 29th until Monday, November 1st 2021
Stabbing at nightlife facility In the late hours of Saturday 30th of October, a woman was cut on her wrist as she stood close to some men arguing with each other. This took place outside at a nightlife facility on Saba. She was taken to the hospital by an acquaintance. …
Read More »Committee envisioned for special allowances Caribbean Netherlands
Recognising that there is room for improvement in coordination between the ministries in The Hague, the Dutch government is looking into establishing a governmental committee that will assess all special allowances for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Dutch caretaker State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops stated …
Read More »AMENDMENT PROCEDURE ATTESTATIE DE VITA
As of the first of November 2021 an important change will take place for recipients of the General Old Age Pension (AOV) who live on Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. As of that date they no longer have to submit a proof of life (Attestatie de …
Read More »“World Elderly Day” message from Commissioner Wilson
Commissioner of Social Affairs Rolando Wilson took the opportunity to wish all senior citizens a happy World Elderly Day, which is internationally celebrated on Friday, October 1. This year’s theme for World Elderly Day is ‘digital equity for all ages.’ “It is basically stating that we, the people have to …
Read More »The December 2020 Bulletin of the Public Entity is available online
The December 2020 Bulletin of the Public Entity is out. It shares memories from Saba Day 2020 and updates you on subjects like the successful “Rights of the Child” week, the Harbor project, the renovation of Fort Bay, the installation of water pipes to Hell’s Gate, etc. Click on the …
Read More »Letter to the Editor: A LESSON FOR ZVK AND MINISTER HUGO DE JONGE
Dear Editor, Hugo de Jonge as Dutch Health Minister needs to review the way responsible care is delivered by his civil servants from the ZVK (Care Insurance Office) on St. Eustatius and Bonaire. As a recent patient in need of support from these offices, I was treated with a lack …
Read More »Short term residents of the BES islands may have to leave if they lose their jobs
Website Koninkrijk.nu reports that residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba who have lost their jobs due to the corona crisis, have insufficient financial resources to support themselves and have not resided continuously in the Caribbean Netherlands for 5 years, must return to their country of origin. This is evident …
Read More »Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Saturday, October 31, 2020
Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Saturday, October 31, 2020 A message from Island Governor Jonathan Johnson; I want to address the community on the upcoming phase 1 re- opening of the island on Sunday, November 1st. Firstly, this by no means indicates that anyone can come to the island at …
Read More »Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Saturday, October 31, 2020
Address Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Saturday, October 31, 2020 A message from Island Governor Jonathan Johnson; I want to address the community on the upcoming phase 1 re- opening of the island on Sunday, November 1st. Firstly, this by no means indicates that anyone can come to the island at …
Read More »Government speeds up RORO ramp project to facilitate cargo boat needs
After receiving feedback from the business community, it has been decided to adjust the length of the RORO Ramp project time, in order for it to have less impact on incoming cargo. This will be done by extending the working hours, in order to decrease the overall project time. The …
Read More »Cft holds digital meetings with Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
The Board of financial supervision Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Cft) held digital discussions this week with the Executive Councils of Bonaire and Saba and with the Government Commissioner of Sint Eustatius and his Deputy. As a consequence of travel restrictions, the regular visits to the islands could not take …
Read More »State Secretary Knops will visit Saba November 4
On the 4th of November, State Secretary Raymond Knops (Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations) will visit Saba, where he will have a meeting with the Executive Council and the Island Council, among other things. Before, he will travel alongside Prime Minister Rhuggenaath to Curaçao on the 1st of November, to …
Read More »St. Maarten: 6 additional COVID-19 recoveries recorded
The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA has reported six additional recoveries from COVID-19, thus reducing the total active cases to 53. No new active cases were recorded on Thursday. The total number of confirmed cases for SL Maarten remains at 805. Of the active cases, the …
Read More »St. Eustatius Island Council sworn in
The newly-elected Island Council in St. Eustatius was sworn in at Mike van Putten Youth Centre/Lions’ Den on Thursday, October 29. Sworn in were Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Island Council Members Rechelline Leerdam, Reuben Merkman and Clyde van Putten, and Democratic Party Island Council Members Nicolaas “Koos” Sneek and Adelka …
Read More »SATEL increased internet bandwidth for all bundles
SABARC completes archaeological work
Saba Archaeological Center SABARC announces the completion of archaeological mitigation work at Giles Quarters/Black Rocks as part of the proposed new harbour project, that preserving a part of Saba’s heritage. The work was undertaken by principal investigator Dr. Ryan Espersen and Dr. Jay Haviser, both associated with SABARC and Saba, …
Read More »St. Maarten: 13 new COVID-19 cases, 10 recoveries confirmed
Thirteen persons have tested positive for COVID-19, but with a reported recovery of ten persons the country’s total number of active cases is now 59. The total number of confirmed cases is now 805. Of the active cases, Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is currently monitoring 52 persons who are in …
Read More »Minister positive about lower COVID•19 numbers on islands
Dutch Minister of Public Health, Welfare and Sport VWS Hugo dc Jonge is cautiously positive about the downward trend of COVID-19 infections in the Dutch Caribbean. In a 56-page update the minister sent to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Wednesday, he dedicated a few paragraphs to the Dutch …
Read More »Government commissioner van Rij: ‘it has to be possible for Statia to regain democracy quicker’
Caribbean Network reports that Statia’s newly elected island council will be able to exercise control over executive decisions for the first time in two years after the Dutch intervention on the island. But the scope of their powers will be limited due to the recovery legislation. Because otherwise it could …
Read More »Saba Reach organizes Course Dutch A2 – Maatschappelijk Informeel (Informal Social)
Recently Saba Reach Foundation (SRF) established a cooperation agreement with Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language (CNaVT). The CNaVT certifies language proficiency of Dutch as a foreign language worldwide, using task-based and domain-specific exams related to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CNaVT is a project commissioned by the Dutch Language …
Read More »St. Maarten: Active coronavirus cases still hovering in the 50s
There are now 56 active cases of COVID-19 in St. Maarten, according to government’s latest update on Tuesday evening. This makes it almost three weeks that the country’s daily active cases have been hovering between fifty and seventy. After seemingly having pawed the peak of St. I Maarten’s second wave …
Read More »Saba business community slams govt.’s ‘sudden’ decision to close cargo ramp
Saba Business Association (SBA) slammed the island government’s decision to abruptly announce the closure of the harbour’s roll-on, roll-off cargo ramp for repairs in a letter to the Executive Council on Tuesday afternoon. SBA’s letter – signed by SBA president and owner of shipping company Island Communication Services (ICS) Alida …
Read More »Saba business community slams govt.’s ‘sudden’ decision to close cargo ramp
Saba Business Association (SBA) slammed the island government’s decision to abruptly announce the closure of the harbour’s roll-on, roll-off cargo ramp for repairs in a letter to the Executive Council on Tuesday afternoon. SBA’s letter – signed by SBA president and owner of shipping company Island Communication Services (ICS) Alida …
Read More »Participate in the Media Research Caribbean Netherlands 2020 Survey and have a chance to win a $250 USD grocery coupon!
Give your opinion! Participate in the Media Research Caribbean Netherlands 2020 Survey and have a chance to win a $250 USD grocery coupon! The central government in the Caribbean Netherlands regularly communicates with its citizens, and wishes to know whether this could be done better or differently. When this survey mentions …
Read More »Participate in the Media Research Caribbean Netherlands 2020 Survey and have a chance to win a $250 USD grocery coupon!
Give your opinion! Participate in the Media Research Caribbean Netherlands 2020 Survey and have a chance to win a $250 USD grocery coupon! The central government in the Caribbean Netherlands regularly communicates with its citizens, and wishes to know whether this could be done better or differently. When this survey mentions …
Read More »Work to start on the roll-on, roll-off ramp at the harbor
Starting from Wednesday, November 4th, after the cargo boats leave, work will begin on the ramp used to load and offload the cargo boats. The ramp in deteriorating condition as the rebar (reinforced steel) is lifting out of the concrete, making the ramp less stable and causing damage to the …
Read More »Opinion van Raak: the aversion of Statia to The Netherlands
By Ronald van Raak, Member of Parliament for the SP. “But I said to the minister, pointing my finger at his nose. I told him if you come and when you come be prepared for the consequences. Because if you take the soldiers with us, we will kill and burn …
Read More »Caribbean Netherlands nature is doing average to very bad
Nature in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba is not doing too well with the key threats being invasive species, roaming livestock and climate change, stated Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Carola Schouten on Monday. In the sixth progress report “Nature in the Netherlands. Status of affairs late …
Read More »St. Maarten: 5 new confirmed COVID-19 cases
— Five additional recoveries recorded — Five persons have tested positive for COVID-19, but with the confirmed recovery of five persons the total number active cases remains at 57. The total number of the country’s confirmed cases is now 789. Of the active cases, Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is currently monitoring …
Read More »Van Raak suggests a referendum on Statia to sense wish for independence
The website Koninkrijk.nu reports that MP Ronald van Raak is of the opinion that the population of St. Eustatius should now press ahead and hold a referendum. The Member of Parliament for the Socialist Party is thus responding to the results of the election of last Wednesday. There the population …
Read More »Saturdays Pink Ribbon party was a great success
The first ever Pink Ribbon Cocktail Party was held Saturday evening on Saba. This event was a part of a number of events organized by Patricia Charles-Nation in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Attendees participated in several games and had a chance to win prizes, such as best dressed male, female …
Read More »Saturdays Pink Ribbon party was a great success
The first ever Pink Ribbon Cocktail Party was held Saturday evening on Saba. This event was a part of a number of events organized by Patricia Charles-Nation in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Attendees participated in several games and had a chance to win prizes, such as best dressed male, female …
Read More »Captain Roger Hodge retires from Winair
aptain Roger Hodge has retired after thirty years of service with Winair. Hodge began his career with Winair in 1990 and continued until his retirement this year. He served in Winair’s flight department, beginning as a first officer and progressing through the ranks quickly to become the company’s most senior …
Read More »St. Maarten: Four new confirmed COVID-19 cases
Four persons have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the active cases up to 57. The total number of the country’s confirmed cases is now 784. Of the active cases, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is currently monitoring 50 persons who are in home isolation. There are 125 persons who are …
Read More »Lions club presentation: COVID-19: “From past to present to future”
Island Council approves ordinance to ban single-use plastic
The Island Council of Thursday, October 22, unanimously approved the Island Ordinance to ban single-use plastic. Businesses are given four months to seek alternatives before the ordinance goes into effect, starting January 1, 2021 with a ban on plastic bags, followed by the prohibition of other plastic single-use articles in …
Read More »Pink Ribbon cocktail party – October 24th
St. Maarten: 21 COVID-19 recoveries
The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA has reported twenty-one additional recoveries from COVID-19 as of Thursday, October 22. However, seven new positive COVID-19 cases were also recorded. This )rings the total number of active COVID-19 cases to 52. The total number of confirmed cases for St. …
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