- May 11, 2026
Prime Minister Rob Jetten Visits Saba
Yesterday, Prime Minister Rob Jetten arrived on Saba, and was welcomed by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson and Island Secretary Bram Streppel. Prime Minister Jetten met with the Executive Council to discuss a range of important topics including the high cost of living, connectivity challenges, and tourism development. The urgent need for improved air connectivity through a PSO was emphasized, as well as the effects of rising transportation and fuel costs on the cost of living. “What we typically see is that prices go up, but seldom go down and being at the end of the supply chain has a great impact on costs on Saba. We are continuously looking into and focusing on areas where prices can really be influenced and hopefully reduced,” said Commissioner Zagers. Potential measures brought forward by the Executive Council included the lowering of excise duties on products such as fuel, which could help ease some of the financial pressure on residents. Phase two of the solar park project was also mentioned as a strong initiative aimed at reducing electricity costs for the community over the long term. Additionally, the Executive Council highlighted the complexities surrounding border control and supply chain logistics, and the importance of recognizing the unique needs of each BES island. The Prime Minister was also updated on the island’s first Spatial Development Plan currently in progress, and the island’s focus on maintaining the proud title of “The Unspoiled Queen.” A visit was then made to the Black Rocks Harbor project, where work is steadily progressing. Project Director Peter Biemond provided an overview of the current phase of the development, including the construction of the breakwater and arrival of Xblocs in batches, with additional units being produced in Sint Eustatius. Commissioner Bruce Zagers described the development as the biggest project in Saba’s history, which will be a monumental symbol of resilience and safety, following years of hurricane related damages to the current harbor. The delegation also visited the Saba Conservation Foundation, where they were welcomed by Supervisory Board Member Peter Johnson and Director Kai Wulf. The SCF team presented updates on ongoing environmental and conservation initiatives that seek to preserve Saba’s rich biodiversity, the protection and relocation of coral, trail maintenance, environmental education, preservation of the cloud forest with the ongoing Mount Scenery tower redevelopment, and long-term conservation planning. Presentations highlighted the relocation of more than 1,200 coral colonies from the area of the new harbor, as well as coral propagation and nursery projects. Additional discussions focused on the ecological importance of the Saba Bank, the largest marine park within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. SCF noted that while their responsibilities are quite extensive, local capacity struggles to match their scale, calling for more support through structural funding. Prime Minister Jetten then joined members of the Island Council for lunch before visiting the Saba Cares nursing home in observance of Mother’s Day. During the visit, roses were distributed to mothers at the home and staff members, and the Prime Minister toured the newly constructed building at the facility. The final stop of the day was at the St. Johns Campus, where plans are underway for the construction of a new gymnasium, technical school and Enrichment center. Head of Community Development and Culture Rosalyn Johnson and Project Manager Carine Ghazzi presented the masterplan and highlighted the positive impact these new facilities will have Saba. In particular, the Enrichment center, funded through the Regio Deal, is envisioned as a multipurpose space focused on educational, cultural, and community development activities. The Prime Minister noted the innovative use of space within the entire project, including the proposed rooftop play area of the gym and the campus’ focus on multifunctional community use. Reflecting on his visit, Prime Minister Jetten stated, “It’s truly impressive to see the many construction projects underway on Saba, especially at Black Rocks Harbor, which is so important for Saba’s future economy. I also visited the Saba Cares nursing home and the Saba Enrichment Center in St. Johns. There I saw clearly that, however small this island may be, Saba is big on community spirit.” “The overarching theme of today, and indeed my whole visit to the Caribbean parts of our Kingdom, is how we can work together in the years ahead,” he added. “We are one Kingdom, and working together on the basis of equality and respect is both a joint task and a common interest of our countries and our peoples.” The Public Entity Saba thanks Prime Minister Jetten for his visit and the open dialogue on Saba’s development. Saba marked the second stop on the Prime Minister’s tour through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. He will continue onward to Sint Eustatius tomorrow. PES
On behalf of Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN), Opinion Carib recently completed a media research study examining how residents across the Caribbean Netherlands get their news. Last Thursday, RCN presented the findings, and the numbers paint a clear picture: Saba-News.com remains the go-to source for local news on the island. Among respondents who visit local news websites, 88.5 percent named Saba-News.com as their source, making it the dominant online news platform on Saba by a wide margin. BES-Reporter followed at 69.2 percent, with Caribbean Network at 23.1 percent, Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties at 11.5 percent, and Bonaire.nu at 7.7 percent. The survey also confirmed what many already know: radio remains a vital part of daily life in the Windward Islands. On Saba, Voice of Saba led the market with a reach of 62.5 percent, a testament to the enduring role of community radio in keeping islanders connected and informed. RCN
- May 10, 2026
Public Entity Saba Connects with Future Talent at “Working in the Caribbean” Career Fair
The Public Entity Saba proudly participated in the “Working in the Caribbean – Career Fair” held on April 24th and 25th in the Netherlands, where hundreds of students, young professionals, and job seekers gathered to explore career opportunities within the Caribbean region. Representing the Public Entity Saba at Stand #149 were Tessa Alexander, Learning and Development Specialist; Jade Every and Charvella Wilson – Saba/NL Student Representatives; and Dirk Wolters, HR Advisor. Over the course of two engaging days, the team connected with many individuals interested in learning more about career opportunities, professional growth, and life on the island of Saba. The career fair provided an excellent platform to not only promote employment opportunities within the Public Entity Saba, but also to showcase Saba as a unique and welcoming destination to live, work, and visit. Meaningful conversations were held with students and young professionals, many of whom expressed interest in contributing their knowledge and skills to Caribbean communities in the future. For the Public Entity Saba, participating in events such as these remains an important part of strengthening connections with Saban students abroad and encouraging the possible return of local talent to the island. The Public Entity Saba extends sincere thanks to Memory Events (Carriere Beurs and Werken in de Caribbean) for the collaboration and organization of the event. We also extend our appreciation to everyone who contributed to making the participation a success. Together, we continue building connections, creating opportunities, and investing in the future of Saba. PES
Mark your calendars — June 13th is a day to celebrate! We’re coming together to honor the incredible legacy of our Island Governor Jonathan Johnson as he wraps up his final term as Island Governor of Saba. It’s been a journey of dedication, service, and heart, and we want to give him the send-off he truly deserves! Come join us for this special farewell event and be part of a moment we’ll all remember. Stay tuned — more details and the full program are coming your way in the weeks ahead. You won’t want to miss this! PES
Following two weeks of intensive preparations, all groundwork for dismantling the existing Mount Scenery tower has now been successfully completed.In close collaboration with SCF, the site has been carefully prepared with measures in place to protect and preserve the surrounding sensitive natural environment throughout the process. The project team has already removed the first wave of debris from the mountain to create space for the equipment required for the operation. Through a coordinated effort, approximately 27 tons of waste material have been safely transported down the mountain, such as outdated equipment from inside the buildings, steel and metal components, old gates, and other obsolete materials. The project has now entered its second phase: the dismantling of the existing tower. To facilitate this process, the tower’s internal structure has been fully cleared to make room for a specialized lifting system known as a gin pole. This mobile lifting mast enables the designated contractor, HANAB, to carefully dismantle the tower section by section. The dismantling process is progressing steadily, with the first tower components now being lowered, segmented, and prepared for air transport using helicopter baskets. From there, the materials are flown to the ship in Wells Bay before being transported to the Netherlands for further processing and disposal. In the coming days, more flights can be expected, weather permitting. Efforts will continue to focus on the safe dismantling of the existing structure. Once this phase has been completed, HANAB will proceed with the construction of the new tower. PES
Burglary On Thursday, the 30th of April, a report was filed regarding a burglary at a building on Matthew Levenstone Street on Saba. Unknown individuals gained access to the premises and stole, among other things, an empty cash register and two small cash boxes containing cash. The case is under investigation. KPCN
- May 7, 2026
First .BQ Cybersecurity Convention Brings Together Regional Partners to Tackle Digital Threats
The Cybercrime Team of the Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland (KPCN) hosted the inaugural .BQ Cybersecurity Convention across Saba and St. Eustatius. The event was organized in collaboration with MCB, the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations, and the National Cyber Security Center of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The convention was designed to strengthen regional connections by raising awareness of cybersecurity, cybercrime, and emerging digital risks. Through knowledge sharing and targeted opportunities for collaboration, it aimed to support the development of practical solutions to evolving cyber threats while providing a dedicated space for networking among professionals in the field. The program opened with an address from acting island governor Shamara Nicholson, followed by a practical guide to cyber resilience delivered by the ICT team from the Department of Information Services. Members of the ICT team also traveled to St. Eustatius, where the convention continued and participants contributed to further discussions. “The .BQ Convention plays a vital role in uniting organizations to confront cybersecurity challenges,” said Lorenzo Caines, Team Lead of Information Services. “We encourage the community to take an active role in learning more about digital risks and protecting themselves against cyber threats.” PES
- May 7, 2026
Public Entity Newsletter – April 2026
- May 6, 2026
PUBLIC AUCTION of 2 parcels of land with buildings and all appurtenances belonging thereto
NOTARY OFFICE ST. EUSTATIUS & SABA PUBLIC AUCTION ON SABA ON JULY 7, 2026 Ex article 3:268 Civil Code On July 7, 2026, at 10am, at Notary Office Sint Eustatius & Saba, Coble Stone Road 3-A, The Bottom, Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, (NOTARY@STATIASABA.COM) Ms. M.D. Bouterse LL.M, civil law notary, shall, on instruction of the bank, proceed with the public sale of the following immovable properties: a parcel of land on Saba, in the district of Windwardside, having an area 556m², cadaster code C/A 6/2000; and a parcel of land on Saba, in the district of Windwardside, having an area of 786m², cadaster code 9/1982; with a building on it and all appurtenances belonging thereto. Reserve price: USD 352,000.00 (three hundred and fifty-two thousand United States Dollars). The properties cannot be purchased separately. On YouTube you will find a video of the properties. https://youtu.be/5zGkoY984xI Private offers in writing can be made for purchasing the properties. You can acquire a bid form to that effect at our office. Such an offer can be made by emailing the form to notary@statiasaba.com, up to and including June 14th, 2026, at the latest at 16:00 hrs (4 pm). Any offer not accepted before June 21st, 2026, is automatically declined. The auction will take place by raising bids (in Dutch: “bij opbod”) and by decreasing bids (in Dutch: “bij afmijning”) in one session. The seller is entitled to not accept any bid, at his sole discretion. The general conditions of auction are applicable. All auction costs are for the account of the buyer. The successful bidder must submit a bank guarantee, issued by a bank that is supervised by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten or the Nederlandse Bank and acceptable to the seller, to the amount of the highest bid augmented by the auction costs, or proof that he has the funds available in his bank account. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US VIA EMAIL: NOTARY@STATIASABA.COM Notary Office St. Eustatius and Saba, Coble Stone Road #3-A, The Bottom, Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, Phone: +1-721-528 8884 +599-319 1782 or +599-4162700.
- May 6, 2026
The Tourist Bureau asks support for a survey
As part of an internship currently ongoing at the Saba Tourist Bureau, we are kindly asking residents to fill out this survey on your experiences related to tourism on the island. Your feedback is important to us! This survey invites residents to share their perceptions of tourism, its impacts, and how it can be improved. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may choose not to take part or stop at any time. The purpose of this survey is to gather insights into resident satisfaction, tourism impacts, and future development. Your responses will contribute to the development of recommendations to support sustainable tourism and improve the overall experience for residents on Saba. All responses are anonymous and will be treated with confidentiality. The information collected will be used for academic purposes only and may be included in reports, presentations, or publications. However, no personal information will be used, and your responses cannot be linked to you. I am currently studying International Tourism Management. As part of my internship at the Saba Tourist Bureau, I am conducting a research project on residents’ perceptions of tourism on Saba. Start the survey HERE. Sue-yenne Ryner

Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
