Recent posts on Saba News

The site BES Reporter announces that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has decided that the same company will continue to deliver mail on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Minister Heleen Herbert has signed the decision granting Flamingo Express Dutch Caribbean N.V. (FXDC Post) a new ten-year concession, effective 1 January 2027. FXDC thus retains the exclusive right to deliver mail on the three islands. A concession is a government license that gives a company the exclusive right to provide a public postal service, subject to certain quality and delivery requirements. FXDC has operated the postal service on the BES islands since 2014. The current concession will expire on 31 December 2026. The decision goes against the advice of a study by Economisch Bureau Amsterdam (EBA), published in 2025. The bureau concluded that postal delivery in the Caribbean Netherlands structurally fails to meet quality requirements and that statutory delivery times are regularly exceeded. According to the researchers, this is partly due to logistical obstacles, such as irregular flight connections between the islands, the small market, the lack of street names and postcodes, and manual processes. In addition, postal volume has fallen by about a third since 2014. EBA advised splitting the concession and granting one per island. The bureau also proposed introducing postcodes, particularly on Bonaire, to enable ‘community mailboxes’, and adopting a new quality framework that distinguishes between local mail, mail between the islands and international mail. According to EBA, a financial contribution from the government, linked to performance requirements, may be needed in the future. The bureau also called for more active oversight by citizens, businesses, and local authorities. Conditions still unknown With the new decision, however, FXDC has again been granted a concession for all three islands, from 2027 through 2036. It is still unknown which conditions or improvements are attached to the new concession and why the minister chose not to award a separate concession per island. Neither FXDC nor the ministry has yet responded to the decision. BES Reporter

Last Tuesday, a female passenger arriving on a flight from Saba was intercepted at Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten by the Alfa Team after authorities discovered firearms in her belongings. 721news contacted the Public Prosecutor’s Office for official confirmation of the incident. In a statement to 721news, the office said: “A woman arriving in Sint Maarten on a flight from Saba was arrested after three firearms were found in her luggage. All weapons were confiscated, and the woman was released from police custody after questioning. The investigation into the importation of the firearms into Sint Maarten remains ongoing.” The incident raises questions about security screening at Saba’s Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. Authorities have not yet explained how the passenger was able to board a flight to Sint Maarten with three firearms in her belongings, prompting scrutiny of whether departing passengers undergo physical or scanner-based checks at the airport. No further details were provided on the case. Sint Maarten authorities continue efforts to combat the illegal importation of firearms on the island. 721 News.

Organisations involved in the Caribbean Netherlands immigration chain met on Bonaire for their annual mini conference, focusing on how to cooperate better, work smarter, and use new technology responsibly. Director-General of the Migration Chain Esther Pijs and Island Governor John Soliano attended as speakers. The event looked back on the chain’s launch on 10-10-10 and its development since, including progress on actions from earlier meetings and the “Moving Forward Together” theme of the 2025 conference. Contributions came from, among others, former Saba Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Statistics Netherlands, and the Ministry of Justice and Security. Innovation was a major topic. Speakers from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and the SBIR Programme discussed AI and chat functions in work processes, and participants considered whether technologies such as AI, drones, algorithms, and biometric identification could make the chain’s work more effective. In breakout sessions, participants discussed new ways of working and integrated partnerships, involving external parties such as civil-society organizations or private service providers, and applying new technologies. The aim was to see how greater information exchange and closer collaboration could strengthen the chain. The conference was organized by the Repatriation and Departure Service, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, IND CN and the Ministry of Justice and Security’s Migration Policy Department. RCN

Representatives of the Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao paid a visit to the Harry L. Johnson Museum during their stay on Saba, a meeting that brought two Caribbean heritage institutions closer together. Michaela Kuckelkorn and Stephan Smeets of the Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao were given a wonderful and extensive tour by Pamela Whitfield. Both visitors were particularly impressed by the passion and enthusiasm with which she shares the rich history of Saba. In a personal and welcoming way, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into island life in earlier times. It also highlights the importance of preserving these stories, traditions, and cultural heritage for future generations. The visit was more than an introduction to Saba’s past. It also gave both sides the chance to exchange experiences and ideas about the work that takes place behind the scenes at their respective museums. The Harry L. Johnson Museum Saba and the Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao will stay in contact to keep sharing knowledge and experiences. Wherever possible, they also intend to support one another in preserving and presenting the historical heritage of their islands. Two islands, each with its own unique history, united by the same passion for keeping the past alive for future generations. Maritime Historical Museum Curaçao

The Public Entity Saba welcomes the announcement by ING that it will officially open its doors on Saba on November 26, 2026. This marks an important milestone in improving access to banking services for residents and businesses on the island. The Public Entity has advocated for improved access to essential banking services for several years. Throughout this period, the challenges experienced by residents and businesses have been raised with the Dutch Government, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and other stakeholders. Commissioner of Finance Bruce Zagers met this news with the statement, “This is very welcome news for Saba. For many years, we have continued to advocate for better access to banking services, recognizing how important these services are to our residents, businesses and the local economy. It has taken considerable time, effort and cooperation to reach this point. We are grateful for the commitment and support of the Dutch Government and DNB throughout this process, and extremely pleased that ING has made the decision to establish a physical presence on our island.” ING’s announcement comes ahead of the planned closure of RBC’s physical branch on Saba in January 2027. “The circumstances surrounding RBC’s departure were unfortunate and created a great deal of uncertainty within our community. Throughout this period, our priority has remained ensuring that residents and businesses continue to have access to essential banking services. ING’s arrival provides some much-needed reassurance and represents an important step forward” stated Commissioner Zagers. Continued Improvements and Challenges While the opening of ING is a significant development, questions and concerns remain about access to cash, particularly the availability of change for local businesses and the ability for residents and businesses to make cash deposits. These matters are a priority in ongoing discussions with the relevant stakeholders. As part of the banking initiative with DNB and Brink’s, two additional ATMs for cash withdrawals and B-boxes for business cash deposits will be available in the coming weeks. The two new ATMs will be installed in Windwardside and The Bottom, in addition to those currently installed at the harbor and airport. Public Entity will continue to work closely with ING to support a smooth transition, particularly on the needs of pensioners and other residents who may require assistance with changing banks or using digital banking services. “While we are very pleased with this announcement, we also recognize that there is still work to be done. Access to cash, the availability of change and the ability to make deposits are important issues that we continue to address. We also want to ensure that our pensioners and other residents who may need additional assistance are not left behind during this transition. We will continue working with ING, DNB and the Dutch Government to find practical solutions to these challenges.” The Public Entity Saba expresses its appreciation to ING, the Dutch Government, DNB, and all stakeholders who have contributed to making this important development possible, and we look forward to continued dialogue with ING and other stakeholders on improving access to banking services for residents and businesses. PES.

The Island Council of Saba has unanimously approved the Island Ordinance Audit Chamber Saba and adopted the Multi-Annual Budget 2027-2031, following two days of discussions on gov­ernment performance, public finances, infrastructure and essential services. The decisions followed a Central Committee meeting on October 26 and an Island Council meeting on Octo­ber 28, during which Council Members questioned the Ex­ecutive Council on progress under the Governing Execu­tion Plan and the island’s fi­nancial and development pri­orities. At the Central Committee meeting, chaired by Island Council Member Elsa Peter­son, the Executive Council presented updates on com­pleted initiatives, ongoing projects and implementation challenges. Progress included the first phase of the Giles Quarter Road project, affordable housing initiatives, funding for seven owner-occupied homes in The Range and the expansion of the hydroponics farm. Work continues on the Black Rocks Harbor Project, the tender policy and the Eco­nomic Development Strategic Plan. However, several initia­tives are expected to extend into 2027 because of organisa­tional capacity constraints. The proposed Multi-Annual Budget 2027-2031 provides approximately US $37.1 mil­lion for 2027. The Financial Supervision Board CFT con­firmed that the budget is bal­anced for 2027 through 2030 and provisionally meets the central budgetary require­ments under the Public Fi­nances BES Act FinBES leg­islation. During the review, Council Member Vito Charles raised questions about government vacancies and projected tour­ism tax revenue, prompting further discussion on staffing capacity and revenue collec­tion. At the October 28 Island Council meeting, chaired by Island Governor Jocelyn Lev­enstone, members examined a range of issues affecting residents, including transpor­tation expenses, the cost of living, housing, infrastructure, water security, childcare and government accountability. The affordability and re­liability of transportation emerged as a major concern. Council Member Julio Ev­ery called for an assessment of temporary financial relief for residents facing high air and sea travel expenses while efforts continue to secure a structural Public Service Ob­ligation (PSO). Charles also raised the possi­bility of reducing airport taxes for residents and improving ferry reliability. The Executive Council reaffirmed its com­mitment to securing a com­prehensive PSO for air and sea transportation, but con­firmed that no interim subsidy arrangement had been devel­oped or financially assessed. A new tender process for the ferry PSO will be required in 2027, with an update on structural funding expected in the second quarter. Ferry accountability and passenger safety were also discussed, following concerns raised by Council Member Saskia Mat­thew about the current opera­tor’s performance. The cost of living was anoth­er key issue, particularly with the electricity subsidy sched­uled to expire at the end of 2026. The Executive Council outlined ongoing efforts to se­cure additional support from the Netherlands. A planned solar park expansion in early 2028 is expected to increase renewable energy production to approximately 90%. Peterson raised concerns about road safety, traffic management and the future operation of Black Rocks Harbor, including staff­ing, maintenance costs and management arrangements. Members also discussed housing accessibility, parking and the need for improved public transportation. The Executive Council confirmed that a request for a mobility expert had been submitted. Road improve­ments between the Arawak Hotel and the Trail Shop are scheduled to begin in No­vember 2026. Water security and long­term planning were also dis­cussed, with Council Mem­bers calling for measures to prevent a repeat of previous shortages. The Executive Council outlined plans to increase water production, including an additional de­salination unit expected in January 2027. Childcare discussions fo­cused on staffing shortages, waiting lists and support for children with special needs. The proposed budget in­cludes an additional US $535,000 for childcare ser­vices, while construction of a new facility is expected to begin in the second half of 2027. Members also raised ques­tions about transparency in government subsidies and how funding recipients are evaluated. Other matters in­cluded support for cultural and heritage organisations, enforcement capacity and oversight of public expendi­ture. Following the deliberations, the Island Council approved the Island Ordinance Audit Chamber Saba, establish­ing the legal framework for an independent body tasked with examining the effective­ness, efficiency and lawful use of public funds. The Audit Chamber is in­tended to strengthen trans­parency, accountability and good governance through independent findings and recommendations to assist the Island Council in its over­sight responsibilities. The Multi-Annual Bud­get 2027-2031 was also ap­proved, with four votes in favour and none against. In addition, the Council approved the appointment of a second Acting Island Registrar to ensure continu­ity within the Office of the Island Registrar. In closing, Levenstone thanked the Executive Coun­cil and Island Council mem­bers for their respectful and constructive exchanges, de­scribing the deliberations as a demonstration of democ­racy in practice. The Daily Herald.

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

PES

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