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Recent posts on Saba News

  • 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a coordinated effort, approximately 27 tons of waste material have been safely transported down the mountain, such as outdated equipment from inside the buildings, steel and metal components, old gates, and other obsolete materials.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

  • 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

  • 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.  

  • 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

  • On Monday, May 4, Saba honored the lives lost during World War II at its annual Memorial Day observance. Held under this year’s theme, “Lest We Forget,” the ceremony called upon us to remember the vast impacts of war and the importance of upholding peace. The event, organized by Policy Advisor Shaigan Marten of the Department of Community Development and Culture, opened with a moving drum performance by the Riddim Nation Youth Drum Band, followed by an opening prayer delivered by Pastor Liburd. The Saba Comprehensive School (SCS) Youth Choir performed a musical tribute, after which members of the Saba Leos read aloud the names of war victims born on Saba. Students of SCS also recited the poem “Saba Remembers” by M.K. Authors, adding a heartfelt reflection to the ceremony. Island Governor Jonathan Johnson addressed attendees, emphasizing the significance of remembrance, stating, “We gather not simply because history asks it of us, but because remembrance is a duty. We remember because freedom was never guaranteed. Peace was never freely given. Both have been secured, again and again, through sacrifice, courage, and profound loss.” Governor Johnson further noted, “In a world where conflict and division still exist, Dodenherdenking calls upon us to remain vigilant. It asks us to stand firmly for humanity, to choose understanding over prejudice, and to recognize that peace must be nurtured every day.” Recognition was also given to firefighters and their enduring service, in observance of International Firefighter’s Day. A wreath-laying ceremony followed, allowing participants an opportunity to pay their respects. At 2:00 p.m., the gathering observed two minutes of silence in remembrance of those whose lives were lost. This moment coincided with the commemoration in the Netherlands, where silence is observed at 8:00 p.m. (NL time), during a national ceremony at Dam Square in Amsterdam. Also in attendance were members of the Health, Welfare and Sport Committee of the Second Chamber, as part of their working visit to Saba. The ceremony concluded with the sounding of sirens by members of the Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, giving a solemn close to the observance. PES

  • During the Central Committee and Island Council meeting held on April 21, 2026, several key topics were discussed, including road safety, cost of living, border security, and the proposed Language Policy for Saba. Language Policy The proposed Language Policy, developed by the Department of Community Development and Culture, is a multiannual plan that recognizes language as an essential tool for promoting inclusion, dignity, and justice on Saba. It also seeks to establish a structured framework for language instruction and support across the island. The policy emphasizes the importance of multilingualism, incorporates cultural input, and outlines goals to expand multilingual proficiency. While it maintains a strong focus on Dutch language instruction and education, it also recognizes Saban English as an essential part of the island’s cultural identity. Council members raised several questions, particularly regarding the role of technology in language education and existing deficiencies in Dutch instruction. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled to allow for further feedback, after which the policy will be presented again at a future Island Council meeting. During the Island Council meeting, the members brought forward various topics. ICM Rolando Wilson Island Council Member Rolando Wilson raised several issues, including the expansion of the Island Council and the logistical considerations for accommodating additional members. Commissioner Bruce Zagers explained that these factors have been taken into account and the support needed from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations to move forward has been secured. Wilson further highlighted concerns about noise pollution, especially from scooters. Island Governor Jonathan Johnson indicated that he is addressing this issue as part of his ongoing discussions with the police and the Prosecutor’s Office. ICM Wilson also asked what solutions are in place to address the high cost of living, calling for measures to provide relief to residents, and he emphatically expressed his desire for every Saban, particularly young Sabans, to be able to own their own homes in the future. ICM Elsa Peterson Island Council Member Elsa Peterson called attention to a motion that was unanimously passed three years ago focused on creating a policy for student support related to tuition and housing that could not be funded by typical student financing. Commissioner Eviton Heyliger announced that the next ICM will present this policy after finalizing and reviewing the necessary budgetary adjustments. Additionally, while acknowledging the dedication and care of childcare staff, ICM Peterson raised growing concerns about the current lack of capacity at Absolute Childcare. Commissioner Heyliger assured that the organization has hired eight new staff members to fill the positions. ICM Peterson also raised road safety as a major concern. In response, Commissioner Zagers stated that they had conducted a risk analysis, which identified several high-risk areas. Planned improvements include road widening, the installation of sidewalks, and enhanced lighting near the Arawak Hotel, with work expected to begin before the summer. ICM Vito Charles Island Council Member Vito Charles focused on mobility, infrastructure, and connectivity. He inquired about the status of the mobility plan, including parking and road safety measures, stating that mobility needs to be given more attention, given the recent increase in traffic on the island, and more should be done to mitigate this. Efforts are ongoing to improve connectivity, including discussions with operators to create additional routes, though cooperation from border control remains necessary. Charles also referenced the $30 million recently allocated to the BES islands, and the need for collaboration among the councils and, more broadly, among the three islands to effectively access and utilize available funding. ICM Saskia Matthew Island Council Member Saskia Matthew raised concerns about response times from the Executive Council and the effectiveness of communication regarding plans and projects to the public. She also referenced the high cost of living and inquired about the progress of the price transparency decree, with Commissioner Zagers noting that most businesses on the island are aligned with the requirements. Border security and harbor safety remained significant matters for ICM Matthew, referencing previous discussions by the councils on enhancing security and technology at the ports of entry, specifically measures that the local government could implement. Commissioner Zagers highlighted the challenges of monitoring incoming cargo, particularly without commercial scanners, and noted that both the current and new harbor are being assessed to determine how monitoring can be improved. In addition, Island Governor Johnson referenced a joint letter submitted by the BES islands on February 9, 2026, noting that the matter of border security has received attention at the level of the Second Chamber and calling for the Island Council to maintain focus on this issue. Matthew also requested that an execution plan for the governing program be clearly communicated to the Island Council and the public. Commissioner Zagers indicated that this plan will be presented at the next Island Council meeting. PES

  • BES reporter writes that the Joint Court of Justice has issued a new interim ruling in the ongoing legal dispute between Saba Electric Company (SEC) and contractor Sunshine Real Estate (SRE) regarding the construction of the solar park on Saba. The case dates back to 2019. It centers on whether the foundation piles of the solar park were installed correctly and, specifically, whether they should have been drilled or driven into the ground. The Court has previously ruled in favor of SRE’s position that pile driving was the agreed-upon method, noting that SEC appeared to have accepted the construction method during the building process. The Court of Justice has now announced the appointment of an independent expert to assess whether the solar park meets hurricane-resistance requirements. Both parties have until 14 May 2025 to submit their comments on the choice of expert and the research questions to be posed. The Court has reiterated that the burden of proof rests with SEC. Should the expert investigation leave significant uncertainty unresolved, this may weigh against SEC’s position. Meanwhile, SEC has already opted to pre-finance repairs to the foundations at a cost of $950,000 USD in order to restore the solar park to operation before year-end. The case is still pending, and the expert investigation is expected to be decisive for the final outcome. Solar magazine

  • Customers of RBC Royal Bank on Saba have reported ongoing issues with bank transfers to accounts at other financial institutions, raising concerns among residents and businesses on the island. According to multiple customers who contacted BES-Reporter, funds transferred from RBC accounts are being deducted but are not consistently reaching their intended destination at other banks. The issue is said to be affecting both individuals and businesses, some of whom rely on accounts at MCB Bank for payments and credit facilities. Saba’s limited banking landscape adds to the impact, as RBC is the only bank with a physical presence on the island. Several customers indicated that delayed or missing transfers have led to concerns about late payments, including mortgages and business obligations. Lack of communication Customers also report a lack of clear communication regarding the situation. Despite repeated inquiries, no formal update or guidance has been provided to account holders on Saba. RBC has not issued a public statement on the matter. The BES-Reporter.

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