Recent posts on Saba News

What does a single seed have to do with Saba’s resilience? Quite a lot, according to the island’s new Climate Plan & Action Agenda, which the island will officially launch on October 3. The launch takes place at 10:00 a.m. at the Eugenius Johnson Center, and the public is invited. Food and drinks will be available during the event. Saba is home to five interconnected ecosystems that help secure the island’s hillsides, retain water in its soils, and support the local fisheries and tourism sectors. Protecting and restoring Saba’s biodiversity is a key part of the Climate Plan & Action Agenda, and it is also central to the work being carried out through the Nature and Environment Policy Plan. The presentation on biodiversity and ecosystems will include an information market. Residents can learn about the actions planned for Saba’s biodiversity, ask questions, and meet the people working in this area. Event details What: Official launch of Saba’s Climate Plan & Action Agenda, including the presentation of the Climate Plan for Biodiversity & Ecosystems When: October 3, 10:00 a.m. Where: Eugenius Johnson Center, Saba Extras: Information market, food and drinks PES

Commissioner Bruce Zagers has called on members of the Dutch Second Chamber to turn years of recognition of the challenges facing Saba and the Caribbean Netherlands into concrete action. In a letter dated September 17, ahead of parliamentary votes on motions concerning the Caribbean Netherlands, Zagers says many of the issues he raised with parliamentarians a year ago remain unresolved. While acknowledging the significant investments made by the Netherlands and the progress achieved, he argues that too many structural problems continue to be discussed without resulting in timely solutions. Connectivity is one of the clearest examples cited in the letter. Although the legal basis for an aviation Public Service Obligation (PSO) is now in place, Zagers says structural financing has yet to be secured, and implementation may not take place before 2028. In the meantime, residents of Saba and Statia continue to face high airfares. He also draws attention to what he describes as an imbalance in government-related economic activity within the Caribbean Netherlands. The concentration of Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN) and other Kingdom activities on Bonaire generates employment and economic activity there. Zagers asks whether a fraction of that structural spending could instead be used to improve connectivity and economic opportunities on Saba and Statia. Energy costs are another concern. According to the letter, electricity on Saba would currently cost approximately $0.56 per kWh without local intervention. Measures by the Public Entity Saba and Saba Electric Company have temporarily kept the tariff at approximately $0.46, but this intervention will no longer be available in 2027. Zagers also questions the use of the €30 million that the coalition agreement says will be made structurally available to address poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands. The 2027 budget allocates €15.3 million of this amount to energy measures, including €6 million for Saba’s solar and battery project and €6.1 million for Statia. While welcoming these investments, Zagers asks why essential energy infrastructure is being financed from funds intended to improve livelihood security. He points to the billions available through mainstream Dutch programs such as SDE++ and argues that when such programs do not apply to the Caribbean Netherlands, there should be a comparable alternative. Infrastructure presents a similar challenge. Saba’s recent drought brought the island close to the limits of its water production and distribution capacity. Although investments have been made, Zagers says additional redundancy, pumping and transportation capacity, and strategic water storage are still required. The Commissioner stresses that advisory bodies, Parliament, and the Dutch government itself have repeatedly recognized these concerns. His central argument is therefore no longer about establishing whether the problems exist but about translating that recognition into structural solutions. Zagers concludes by calling for political decisiveness and “no-regret solutions” that strengthen the islands’ economies, reduce the cost of living, and structurally improve residents’ lives. “After all these years, the question is no longer whether these gaps exist, but what we are prepared to do to close them.” Read the original letter HERE.

The Saba Rent Committee is an independent and impartial body that helps tenants and landlords address rental disputes. It provides objective, accessible information about rental matters, including rent levels, procedures, and the rights and responsibilities of both parties. First, the Committee supports tenants and landlords in reaching an agreement. When a dispute cannot be resolved, either party may submit an application to the Committee for a formal decision. The Committee operates independently and includes representatives of both tenant and landlord interests. Its members are not employed by Public Entity Saba or RCN. All members and the secretary are appointed by Public Entity Saba. The Rent Committee is funded by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) through RCN. Each year, the Rent Committee agrees on performance commitments with the Ministry and reports on their fulfillment at the end of the year. The Saba Rent Committee is currently being established. Applications are open for individuals interested in helping build an independent and accessible rental dispute process for Saba. Refer to the application procedures HERE. PES

The Public Entity Saba (PES) has released its Multi-Annual Budget 2027–2030, viewable in hard copy at the Government Administration Building’s Security Desk or digitally via the Island Council’s iBabs Public Portal and the official Saba website. Key points: Strategic alignment: The budget continues the Saba Package 2023–2027, the Organizational Development Plan, and the new domain-based governance structure, presenting a balanced, forward-looking financial strategy. Income: Built on a structurally increased free allowance (indexed annually to GDP) plus special purpose grants for social, education, health, infrastructure, and environmental programs. A persistent challenge is that many structural tasks still rely on incidental funding, which PES is gradually trying to shift into the regular budget — an issue it plans to raise with the central government. Expenditure: Personnel costs are the main driver of growth (step increases and CLA/GDP-indexed adjustments), with additional funding directed to digital transformation, asset maintenance, poverty alleviation, and resilience building. Future RCN wage negotiation outcomes are not yet factored in. Resilience/risk: The buffer capital reserve has grown to USD 2.7M, supported by a newly refreshed two-year risk register and resilience ratio. Liquidity is strong but largely tied to earmarked grants. Investments: Capital spending on ICT, transport, and public buildings is fully funded through depreciation or grants, in line with long-term asset plans and national reports like Klein Gebied Grote Opgave. Compliance: The budget meets FINBES and BBVBES standards (function-based classification, full narrative disclosure, mandatory paragraphs), incorporates new function tables from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and is reported in USD on an accrual basis. Click HERE to read it PES

On September 16, the Saba Youth Council marked a proud milestone by meeting with the Island Governor to formally present its position paper on the priorities of Saba’s youth. This proud moment represents an important step toward ensuring that Saba’s young people not only have a voice but also play a role in shaping the island’s future. Youth Council members confidently discussed five key issues identified by young people: 1. Dutch-language graduation requirements 2. Meaningful youth participation 3. Mental health support 4. Employment and future opportunities 5. Sports development and exposure The Council also presented key findings from the UNICEF BES Report and discussed how young people can remain actively involved in decisions affecting their lives. The Youth Council requested continued dialogue with decision-makers and coordinated action on the priorities presented. Members expressed their readiness to participate in continuous consultations and help develop solutions that improve outcomes for Saba’s youth over time. The Council thanks the Island Governor for listening to their concerns and creating space for meaningful dialogue. PES

As part of the Saba Heritage Center’s “Preserving Voices” Oral History Project, we are inviting Saba residents aged 65 and older to share their stories, memories, and experiences of life on the island. Childhood. Family. School. Work. Traditions. Village life. Travel. Change. Everyday moments. These stories are an important part of Saba’s history, and we want to make sure they are not lost. We are also encouraging children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members to reach out on behalf of an older relative whose story deserves to be recorded. No preparation is needed. Just come ready to share the memories that matter to you. Each interview will be digitally preserved in the Saba Heritage Center archive for future generations, researchers, families, and the wider community. Your memories are history. Your voice matters. To participate or arrange an interview for a family member, contact: Dimetri Whitfield Oral Historian & Researcher 📧 research@sabarc.org 📱 WhatsApp/Phone: +1-721-580-6562 Help us Preserve the Voices of Saba.

Between September 2026 and December 2026, Statistics Netherlands CBS will conduct the Labour force survey on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (so-called BES is­lands). Interviewers will go to randomly selected households to administer the questionnaire. This is a sample survey conducted among households every two years. Through it, CBS measures labour market develop­ments in the Caribbean Netherlands. One of the most important results is the unemployment rate, i.e. the percentage of the labour force that is looking for a job. Others include labour participation rate, level of education, profession and working hours. To gain a better understanding of the labour market devel­opments on the three islands, a total of 1,233 addresses were randomly selected on Bonaire, 578 on St. Eustatius and 571 on Saba. CBS is obligated by law to process the collected informa­tion strictly confidentially. Therefore, various measures were taken to protect the collected information. All interviewers have a CBS badge and must identify them­selves upon request, so that everyone can be sure. Statistics Netherlands never provides identifiable data to third parties, not even to other government bodies. The Daily Herald.

On Tues­day, Budget Day (“Prinsjes­dag”) in The Hague, the ‘Tax Plan Act 2027 was sub­mitted to the Dutch Parlia­ment. This bill still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives and Senate, after which it will take effect on January 1, 2027. The Jetten Cabinet pro­poses two tax measures that are applicable on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (so-called BES islands). The proposals regard kilometre allowances and fuel duty. The maximum amounts for car expenses, tax-free kilo­metre allowances and certain extraordinary expenses are increased from US $0.20 to $ 0.22 per kilometre. This also applies to the maximum tax-free allowance that em­ployers can reimburse to em­ployees. The increase applies with retroactive effect from 1 Jan­uary 2026. Employers are not required to pay the higher al­lowance. To limit the consequences of the higher fuel prices, it is proposed to temporarily reduce the duty on petrol in 2027: Bonaire: 5.5 dollar cents per litre; St. Eustatius and Saba: 4.19 dollar cents per litre. This temporary reduction is in place from January 1 up to and including 31 De­cember 2027. The proposed measures are part of the Tax Plan 2027 and still need to go through the further legisla­tive process. The Daily Herald.

The Netherlands’ draft 2027 budget, present­ed on Tuesday, contains a provision of thirty million euros to help reduce the cost of living in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. Investments will be made to ensure lower rates for electricity, drinking water, and telecommunications in the long term. A total of 12 million euros will be available to produce more sustainable energy in Saba and St. Eustatius, while the seawater intake system in Bonaire, essential for turning salt water into drinking water, will be re­placed to the tune of eight million euros. Specifically for St. Eusta­tius, some 1.7 million euros will be allocated to replace leaking water pipes while 2.1 million euros has been earmarked to modernise the fibre-optic network. The three public entities may also receive additional funds in 2027 to provide financial assistance to par­ents who are unable to pay their share of childcare expenses. A total of 6.2 million euros has been re­served for these subsidies. “In 2027, we will take signif­icant steps to lower the cost of living. In doing so, we are continuing to implement the recommendations of the Caribbean Netherlands So­cial Minimum Committee,” said Dutch State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg. He added: “Making elec­tricity and water produc­tion more sustainable pays off, as the current geopo­litical situation is driving up fuel and energy prices. Residents are already feel­ing the impact of these price hikes. A large portion of their wages goes toward water and electricity bills. The measures we are tak­ing must result in residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba feeling the finan­cial benefits, both in the short and long term.” Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief said: “On Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, people are experi­encing increasing costs of electricity, water and inter-net. That is why we are now taking a major step to lower the cost of living, with sus­tainable solutions that will continue to deliver results from 2027 onwards.” The Daily Herald.

In 2027, the Dutch government will continue its efforts to strengthen and restore the unique natural environment and ecosystems in the Ca­ribbean Netherlands. A to­tal of 47.5 million euros has been made available for this purpose. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature LVVN announced this on Budget Day (“Prinsjesdag”). According to a release, the natural environment of Bo­naire, St. Eustatius and Saba is unique and indispensable, “for the people who live there, for the economy and tourism, but also for pro­tecting the islands against the effects of, for instance, climate change.” “As the natural environ­ment on the so-called BES islands is under pressure, the national government will continue its efforts in 2027 to strengthen and re­store the unique natural en­vironment and ecosystems. With an additional 40 mil­lion euros, bringing the total to 47.5 million for the sec­ond phase of the Nature and Environment Policy Plan for the Caribbean Netherlands, an important next step is be­ing taken in collaboration with the islands.” added the statement. Work is being carried out in collaboration with the is­lands on measures such as the restoration of vegeta­tion and coral, combating erosion and overgrazing, and reducing invasive spe­cies and water pollution. Consideration is also being given to how nature conser­vation and monitoring can be further improved. The aim is to create a natu­ral environment that is more resilient to climate change whilst also contributing to a healthy living environment and economy on the islands. The Daily Herald.