Recent posts on Saba News

Public Entity Saba would like to inform residents that on Saturday, November 7, 2026 there will be road closures in The Bottom from 6:30 AM until 10:00 AM for the Bizzy B 5k. The start is at 7:00 am at the S.E.C. parking lot (Saba Electric), and the kids’ run starts at 8:15 am. The route is shown on the map. Between these times, please take the detours into account to keep all participants safe. Closed: the race route and the finish road at Saba Electric and Bizzy B. To Windwardside from Fort Bay and Under the Hill: turn at the Old Governor’s house into the pharmacy street, at the pharmacy go left and then right, and continue via Upper Road and Church Street. To Fort Bay from Windwardside: turn right at the police station, go up Upper Road, then turn left and left again down to Fort Bay. Volunteers will guide traffic at every crossing. Thank you for your patience! For questions, contact Jochem Batstra at +599 416 5151 or hello@event66.nl. In case of an emergency during the event, always call 911. PES

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Residents of Saba and St. Eustatius will soon be able to bank with a Dutch bank again. ING will open an office on St. Eustatius on 24 November, followed two days later by a branch on Saba. With the new branches, residents of the Caribbean Netherlands can open an account with a Dutch bank for the first time in years. A year and a half ago, ING announced plans to return to the islands, promising “the same service as on Texel.” Getting there took a lot of preparation. The islands are special municipalities of the Netherlands, but they fall outside the European Economic Area, and people make payments in US dollars. That makes it legally complicated for a Dutch bank to offer accounts and cash services. Absent from the islands Partly for this reason, ING withdrew from the Netherlands Caribbean Bank in 2009. ABN Amro still offers internet banking, but no longer accepts new customers from the islands, and Rabobank only does so if someone has a “clear economic link” with the Netherlands. Residents wanting a bank account have had to turn to foreign banks, which is also cumbersome. ING now says it has met all legal and regulatory requirements to resume services on the islands. To start with, residents and entrepreneurs on both islands can open a current account, apply for a debit card and bank digitally. Online and telephone customer service will run through ING’s regular channels. Cash will be available from new ATMs installed by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). ING calls the two offices a “first step in the further development of services on the islands.” The bank says it hopes the branches will contribute to the islands’ economic development. NOS

For 2027, the government has set up around $6.9 million for the Caribbean Netherlands; Modifications starting in 2028. In 2027, Saba businesses and residents can also anticipate more affordable fixed internet. The State Secretary informs the House of Representatives in a letter that the government is extending the structural subsidy on internet connections by one year. The monthly subsidy in Saba is $35 per connection. For all BES islands, an extra USD 15 per subscription will be added starting in 2024. Regardless of income, both individuals and enterprises are eligible for the subsidy, which telecom providers are required to transfer directly to end users. The Caribbean Netherlands’ entire 2027 budget is $6,895,320 USD. Six providers—Satel NV, Eutel NV, Digicel, Telbo NV, WICC, and Flamingo TV—will receive the funds. The number of connections as of July 31, 2026, is the basis for the extension. According to an EY study, the plan is viable, accessible, and particularly valuable in terms of pricing. No adjustments will be made prior to 2028 due to the evaluation’s delay. More information will be sent to the House of Representatives during the first quarter of 2027. Dossier koninkrijksrelaties

Construction of the Bottomline plaza, a shopping arcade and apartment complex funded by Pension Fund Caribbean Netherlands (PCN), reached a major milestone with the pouring of its ground-floor concrete on Friday, October 30. The operation began  on Friday at 2 p.m. and continued into the early hours of Saturday, with the final bucket poured at 1:30 a.m. The successful undertaking marked a moment of pride for the construction crew and the island community. The project represents a significant investment in Saba’s capital, adding commercial space and housing. Excavation began in early September, and completion is expected in 2027. With the concrete poured, preparations can move forward for installation of the building’s steel structure once it arrives on the island. BES Reporter

Collision resulting in injury On Wednesday, the 28th of October, around 3:45 PM, the central control room received a report of a collision involving an injured person in the Zions Hill area. Upon arrival, a pickup truck was found partially in the brush, where it had come to a stop against the rocks. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital for medical treatment. After being discharged from the hospital, the driver inquired about his waist fanny pack and its contents. However, the waist fanny pack and contents were not found in the vehicle. The driver filed a report of theft with the police. The case is under investigation. KPCN

Gross domestic product (GDP) of Bonaire grew by 4.0% in 2024. This growth was broad-based. The economy of St. Eustatius also grew, by 1.6%, mainly driven by growth in business services, public administration and the construction sector. In Saba, GDP contracted by 4%, mainly due to a decline in education and public ad­ministration. Statistics Netherlands CBS reported this on the basis of newly released figures. In Bonaire, the value added of numerous sectors grew in 2024. The economic value added by Bonaire’s energy, water and waste manage­ment sector rose by 11.0% in 2024, driven by higher production of electricity and water. Population growth of 5.0% and higher production in most sectors drove de­mand for these utilities. Growth in the accommoda­tion and food services sector and the recreation sector co­incided with a higher number of tourists and a rise in the average disposable income of households. The number of tourists staying on the is­land rose by 7.4% compared with 2023, while disposable income increased by 15.0%. The value added of the accommodation and food services sector increased by 8.0%. In the trade and health care sectors, value added rose by 6.0%. Conversely, the agriculture, mining and quarrying, con­struction and manufacturing sectors saw a decline in value added, which is in line with changes in the number of jobs in these sectors. In the con­struction sector, production remained unchanged, but consumption increased, re­sulting in lower value added. Economic growth in St. Eu­statius in 2024 was mainly driven by the rise in value added of the business servic­es sector. Public administra­tion also contributed to eco­nomic growth, with labour volume rising by 7.2% in that sector. In addition, the construc­tion sector expanded. By contrast, value added of the transport and information and communication sectors declined. The education sector made the largest contribution to the economic contraction in Saba in 2024. A decline in student numbers led to a de­crease in value added to this sector. Public administration also contributed to the contrac­tion in GDP, as the number of jobs in this sector fell by 1.6%. However, the value added by the trade, health care and accommodation and food services sectors in­creased. The economy of Bonaire has grown significantly com­pared with 2014, while the economies of St. Eustatius and Saba have contracted. Bonaire’s GDP (adjusted for price changes) was more than 40% higher than in 2014. This growth is seen across most sectors. St Eustatius’ GDP was nearly 30% lower than in 2014. This was mainly due to a decline in value added at a limited number of large enterprises. Saba’s economy also contracted compared with 2014, primarily due to a decline in the education sec­tor. The Daily Herald.

Alto de Pacho is back on Saturday, 21 November. Three kilometers, 344 meters of climbing, and 12.5 percent on average. Short, steep, and spicy, and the clock does not care how you get up there. What: solo bike time trial, riders start one at a time, all bikes welcome When: Saturday, 21 November, briefing 15:45 at Cove Bay School, first rider at 16:00 Where: Cove Bay up to Zion’s Hill, finish near Pacho’s Entry: $20, including a drink and a snack at Pacho’s afterwards. Pay online by 31 October. Sign up here: https://www.event66.nl/alto-de-pacho/ Together with Saba Triathlon Foundation. Most people stay for drinks and some music at Pacho’s after, which is the real finish line. Also coming up: Sea to Scenery on 5 December, run or walk from the sea at Cove Bay to the top of Mount Scenery: https://www.event66.nl/sea-to-scenery/ Hope to see you at the start! Sporty greetings/Sportieve groet, Jochem www.event66.nl

Have you ever wondered how decisions are made on our island? Do you have ideas for improving your community but aren’t sure how to make them happen? Or perhaps you are simply curious about the mechanics of government and democracy on Saba? The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) is inviting the Saban community to pull up a chair and join the conversation at the upcoming Democracy Academy Saba. Set to take place from November 9 – 11, 2026, this three-day event promises to be an engaging deep dive into the heart of civic life. The sessions will run each evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., offering a perfect after-work opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Three Days. Three Themes. One Journey. Under the theme “Three Days. Three Themes. One Journey,” the Academy is designed for everyone—not just those considering a run for public office. Whether you are a seasoned community advocate, someone looking to become more politically active, or a resident who just wants to understand how the system works, there is a place for you here. The Academy aims to provide practical skills, a space for critical questions, and a deeper understanding of how community concerns can become policy. Day 1: Campaigning, Elections & Political Participation The journey kicks off on Monday, November 9, at the Eugenius Johnson Center. The first session will focus on campaigning, elections & political participation. Participants will explore how elections and campaigns function, and, crucially, how they can transform community concerns into political action. It is an opportunity to look behind the curtain of the electoral process and understand how every voice counts. Day 2: November 10: How Government Works & Effective Representation Location: The Scenery Hotel Learn about the roles of the Island Council, Executive Council, and civil service; how decisions are made; and how representatives and citizens can engage with local democracy. Day 3: November 11: Dialogue, Conflict & Negotiation Location: Eugenius Johnson Center Practice listening, managing difficult conversations, negotiating, and finding common ground skills that are valuable in politics, work, and community life. Why Attend? The Democracy Academy is more than just a lecture; it is a workshop for the community. It offers a chance to develop practical skills for politics, community work, or everyday advocacy. Most importantly, it is a space to ask questions. You do not need to be a politician to participate—you just need to care about the future of Saba. Registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx. PES

Both men convicted of killing Saba firefighter Sheldon Johnson have appealed their verdicts, insisting they had no part in the crime. The case was not heard on its merits during Thursday’s pro forma hearing, which focused on scheduling and on where the full appeal should be held. What happened at the hearing? At the pro forma hearing on Thursday, October 8, both convicts confirmed that they stand by their claim of innocence and reject the court’s judgment. The session dealt with procedure only, setting out the next steps in the case. In the first instance, the court sentenced A.N.W. to 28 years in prison and R.V.v.H. to 21 years for their roles in Johnson’s murder. W. was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Carti, Johnson’s partner, and of drug possession. A hearing spread across four islands As in the first instance, the hearing was largely conducted via video link. The three judges of the Court of Justice sat in Curaçao, while the Attorney General and the defense lawyer joined from Sint Maarten. Both convicts attended from Bonaire, and courtrooms on Saba and Sint Maarten were also connected. Why the court convicted them The appeal will re-examine the role each man played in the fatal shooting on Saba on September 12, 2025. During the trial, both men denied any involvement, claiming they had only seen a mysterious “shadow man.” The court didn’t accept that account. It ruled that the figure on the camera footage was W., noting that gunshot residue was found on his clothing, backpack, and glove. The court also rejected the idea that V.v.H. had merely offered help after the fact. In its view, the two men acted together and coordinated their actions. Where will the appeal be heard? The location of the full hearing remains undecided. The wish to hold it on Saba came up again, and the Court said it understands the arguments and wishes of those involved. Holding the hearing on Saba is possible in theory, but the court said safety concerns, among other factors, make it a less favored option. Before choosing, the Court wants to gather more input from the parties. The location matters especially to Johnson’s next of kin, who have said they want to attend in person rather than follow the trial by video. What comes next December 10, 2026: Another pre-trial hearing, by which time the parties must have developed their wishes and any investigative plans. Spring 2027: The tentative window for the substantive appeal hearing, at a location still to be decided. Until then, the position of the two convicts is clear: they say they are innocent and will keep fighting their convictions.