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Recent posts on Saba News

  • On March 2, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new St. John’s Gym and Technical Center took place in the presence of Commissioner Eviton Heyliger, staff and students at the Sacred Heart School and the Saba Comprehensive School, as well as representatives of Public Entity Saba. During the general assembly at the Saba Comprehensive School, Commissioner Heyliger reflected on the importance of the project and the need to invest in modern, future-proof educational and sports facilities for the island’s youth. This includes the creation of modern, well-equipped classrooms and a new gymnasium that meets international standards. Commissioner Heyliger proudly noted that the facility will stand as the highest gym in the Dutch Kingdom, sharing words of optimism and encouragement, as he stated, “From the highest point, we will aim even higher.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuzvDhthcIA Beyond regular school hours, the gym will also serve as a space for sports, health programs, youth activities and community gatherings, becoming a shared investment in the island’s wellbeing. Commissioner Heyliger expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) for their support, and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and VRO for the DUMAVA subsidy. He further acknowledged the dedicated civil servants of Public Entity Saba, architect Lyongo Juliana, the principals and staff of both schools, bus drivers, and the students. Special thanks were also extended to the families who made the land available for this important project. Following his speech, Commissioner Heyliger, together with the principals of both schools and Island Council Member Rolando Wilson, a resident of St. John’s, symbolically turned the first soil to mark the official start of construction. This ceremony follows the demolition of the former school gym, making way for the new development, which is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. Residents of St. John’s were also asked for their understanding in the months ahead, as construction will bring temporary inconveniences such as traffic adjustments, noise, and changes in routine. Commissioner Heyliger emphasized that while the inconvenience is temporary, the investment is permanent. “What we are building is not just concrete and steel,” he said. “We are building opportunity. We are building safety. We are building pride and progress.” For more information on this project, please visit School Campus St. Johns | Public Entity Saba   PES  

  • Athletes from across the region took part Saturday morning in the annual Saba Triathlon, an event that once again combined sport with the island’s distinctive terrain and strong community involvement. Participants completed a course consisting of swimming, cycling and running across various parts of the island. Volunteers and local organizations assisted in preparing both the land and marine sections of the race, helping ensure safe conditions for competitors. The men’s overall race was won by Alwin Hylkema, who finished in 1:51:41.5. He was followed by Carlos Franco in second place with a time of 1:56:35.0, while Peter Johnson completed the podium in third at 2:02:41.0. The fastest female participant, Sofia Mondaini, finished in a time of 2:11:02.7. Following the race, participants gathered in The Bottom for the award ceremony, where winners received prizes and congratulations from organizers and spectators. Social media reactions highlighted appreciation for both the organization and the volunteers who supported the event. Notable event The Saba Triathlon has grown into one of the island’s notable sporting activities, drawing competitors and visitors while also showcasing Saba’s natural surroundings. Organizers and supporting groups, including local conservation volunteers, were widely thanked by participants for their efforts in making the event possible. BES-Reporter.com

  • Dutch coalition partner D66 is de­manding solutions for a structural lack of personnel in the police and law enforcement system on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (so-called BES). The questions follow a call from their Island Governors to the House of Representatives and the Senate of Parliament and the new Jetten (D66) Cabinet in The Hague. “The desired and acceptable level of legal protection for residents of the Caribbean Netherlands is under pressure. (…) As independent officials responsible for public order, we experience the consequences of the shortcomings in the judicial system in our daily prac­tice,” the three governors wrote. D66 Member of Parliament (MP) Heera Dijk wants to know whether the Dutch government recognises the problems. “What is the most recent status regarding the staffing of police, judicial, and security personnel on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, expressed in full-time equivalents (FTEs), occupied versus open posi­tions, and the relationship to the policy objective?” She specifically asks what steps have been taken to re­solve the staffing shortage. Dijk is also curious about the accessibility of the ju­diciary and the presence of weapons on the islands, which were also topics mentioned by the authorities. The Daily Herald.

  • Arrest for death threats On Thursday, the 26th of February, around 5:30 PM, a 36-year-old man with the initials J.C.W.was arrested at the police station on Samuel A. Charles Street on Saba. The suspect wasarrested for death threats. The investigation into this case is ongoing. KPCN

  • Public Entity Saba recently organized a co-creation session to collectively shape plans for spatial improvements in The Bottom. The discussions were grounded in the project’s scope, enhancing livability through spatial interventions, and informed by the recent questionnaire results and sessions at the L.I.F.E. center and The Spot. Participants, primarily residents of The Bottom, explored the outcomes related to traffic, vegetation, and amenities/facilities. Using maps that visualized suggestions from the questionnaire, along with photographs, “vegetation cards”, and visualizations, the group worked toward a shared vision for the village. Participants expressed a strong desire to remain involved as the project moves forward. During an upcoming session, attention will shift to specific sub‑projects once the Infrastructure and Spatial Planning Department has advanced the corresponding plans. We want to thank everyone who helped shape our Capital by filling in the survey and joining the sessions. We will keep you posted on the next session via the usual communication channels, and look forward to seeing you there! Got a great idea to share with us already? Please reach out to us via planning@sabagov.nl or stop by our office at Public Works! PES

  • Koninkrijksrelaties.nl reported the following: What concrete steps has the government taken or planned to better protect residents of the Caribbean Netherlands from crime, among other things? Member of Parliament Heera Dijk (D66) wants to know this from State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg and Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel. An urgent letter from the governors of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (which this website reported on Tuesday) concerning the worrying effects of the structural understaffing of the police and Customs on the BES islands has prompted Dijk to question the responsible ministers through a series of written questions. -Are you aware of the call from the BES islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba) for structural strengthening of the justice system in the Caribbean Netherlands? -Do you recognize the situation as outlined by the governors of Saba, Bonaire, and Sint Eustatius, and what is your response to the three specific appeals contained in the message to both Houses of Parliament and to the cabinet? -What is the most recent status regarding the staffing of police, judicial, and security personnel on the BES islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba), expressed in full-time equivalents (FTEs), occupied versus open positions, and the relationship to the policy objective? -What concrete steps have you taken or planned to address the structural staff shortage at the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force and Customs on the BES islands? -What information do you have about the extent and nature of the weapons problem on the BES islands, and what measures are being considered? Considering that the authorities state that Customs currently focuses primarily on collecting excise duties and taxes and less on security issues, can you explain how Customs’ task allocation and priorities are aligned with security risks and what measures are needed to close any gaps in border control and crime prevention? Considering that the authorities indicate that the desired and acceptable level of legal protection in the Caribbean Netherlands is under pressure, what concrete steps is the government taking to guarantee legal protection and access to justice for residents of the Caribbean Netherlands at a level equivalent to that in the European Netherlands? What follow-up has been given to date to the report “State of Law Enforcement in the Caribbean Netherlands 2024” from the Law Enforcement Council? Koninkrijksrelaties

  • On March 3rd, the Queen Wilhelmina Library invites you to an evening celebrating the completion of Beverly’s trilogy — a series rooted in the landscapes, spirit, and stories of this island. Beverly will be donating copies of her work to the library, a gift to the community that shaped her writing from the very beginning. This is more than a literary event. It’s a homecoming. Join us on March 3, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for an evening of storytelling, celebration, and community. https://saba-news.com/saban-author-beverly-whitfield-publishes-debut-novel-the-island-remembers/

  • The new cabinet must take urgent measures to improve the safety of citizens on the BES islands. This is the message from the governors of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba in an urgent message addressed to the House of Representatives and the Senate. “The desired and acceptable level of legal protection for residents in the Caribbean Netherlands is under pressure. As independent officials responsible for public order, we experience the consequences of the shortcomings in the security and justice system on a daily basis. This has a significant impact on the sense of security and the actual safety of our residents,” the governors write in a joint letter. Referring to previous alarming reports, the governors draw attention to the structural staff shortage in the police force. “This means that in certain cases, citizens receive no or delayed assistance in the event of an emergency. Reports have been received on the islands that this situation has indeed occurred.” Due to structural understaffing, Customs’ protective role is also failing to perform effectively, partly because it has “prioritized its efforts on the collection of excise duties and taxes” and not on “security issues such as an escalating weapons problem and growing risks of undermining crime.” “Many of the findings are not new. We urgently urge the new government to work on appropriate and structural solutions to the identified challenges and shortcomings in the justice and security chain. Residents of the Caribbean Netherlands have the right to a safe, just, and stable society, equal to every other citizen within the Netherlands, of which we are a part,” the authorities stated. Article in Dutch with the original letter: https://dossierkoninkrijksrelaties.nl/2026/02/24/gezaghebbers-sturen-noodkreet-naar-den-haag-veiligheid-burgers-schiet-tekort/ DossierKoninkrijksRelaties.

  • Members of Saba’s Island Council will travel to Bonaire today to join the BES Island Council Summit. The BES Summit serves as a key platform for the three Public Entities to jointly discuss developments, legislative processes, and shared priorities affecting the islands. The Island Councils of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba will gather on Thursday, February 27th, 2026, with this year’s agenda including topics such as: WolBES/FinBES consultation and next steps Improvements to consultation processes regarding BES legislation and working agreements Health care research in the Caribbean Netherlands Joint Audit Chamber research topics and follow‑up The state of education across the BES islands Joint letters, coordination procedures, and planning the 2026 six‑islands encounter In addition to the formal sessions, participants, including Island Council members, Registrars, Island Governors, and other representatives, will take part in several side activities. A welcome dinner is scheduled for February 26th. Council Members to Attend Schools 3×3 Basketball Tournament While on the island, the Island Council will also attend the 3×3 Basketball Tournament in Bonaire. The Council is pleased to be present to cheer on the Saban teams and to support all the young athletes participating in this vibrant event. The Council recognizes the powerful role that sports play in building confidence, teamwork, and healthy communities, and is proud to stand behind the youth who dedicate their energy and passion to this tournament. Their attendance reflects a continued commitment to uplifting young people, promoting positive development, and encouraging active lifestyles across the Caribbean Netherlands. PES

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