Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
On Saturday June 13th, the farewell ceremony for Island Governor Jonathan Johnson was held. Many gathered for a moving ceremony, filled with reflection, tribute and gratitude after his 18 years of faithful, dedicated and impactful service. The evening began with an ecumenical service at Sacred Heart Church in The Bottom. Following the service, attendees proceeded to the Princess Juliana Sports Field, where Master of Ceremonies Suzy Guido Peterson welcomed guests and opened the formal program. The ceremony began with a ballet-themed dance performance by the Child Focus Foundation. Commissioner Zagers: A Career Built Around Giving Back to His Island Commissioner Bruce Zagers reflected on Governor Johnson’s lifelong commitment to giving back to the island he loves. He highlighted Governor Johnson’s years in education, including his service as a primary school principal and later as director who had the difficult responsibility of restructuring the high school. He noted that the common thread throughout Governor Johnson’s career has always been investing in the people of Saba. Commissioner Zagers also praised Governor Johnson’s consistency, his willingness to make tough decisions and stand by them, and emphasized that while “he was governor by profession, first and foremost, he is Saban.” Saba Life Center: Community Must Carry on His Legacy Representatives from the Saba Life Center described Governor Johnson as a leader who “watched over our island, guiding it through calm waters and stormy seas alike,” and commended his ability to turn challenges into opportunities and doing so with compassion, trust, and vision. They also called on the community to continue the work Governor Johnson began, honoring his legacy “as one community, one family, and one island.” Acting Island Governor Nicholson: “Leadership Is Service” Acting Island Governor Shamara Nicholson shared that Governor Johnson was “more than a leader” but also “a steady hand, a calm voice, and a heart that beats in the rhythm of the people he served.” She shared a story about how Governor Johnson supported her with patience and grace in her role, recalling his words: “Take your time, we will work through it.” That moment, she said, made her feel seen and supported, and helped her understand why so many people placed their trust in him. Nicholson reminded those present that “leadership is service,” adding that Governor Johnson’s impact “will outlast his tenure.” Orders of Merit During the ceremony, Governor Johnson presented Orders of Merit to his three Acting Island Governors: Hubert Roy Smith, James Franklin Wilson, and Shamara Nicholson, in recognition of their dedicated service representing the island. Family Tribute A touching moment followed when Governor Johnson’s children, Mia, Nolan, and Owen Johnson, took the stage to present a poem honoring his devotion as a parent who balanced public service with family life. Child Focus Foundation performed another dance, before Island Governor of Sint Eustatius Alida Francis took the stage. A Gift from St. Eustatius Island Governor Alida Francis of Sint Eustatius presented Governor Johnson with a symbolic gift: a painting of a turtle, created by Dutch artist Hanneke Floor who lives on Sint Eustatius. “Turtles universally symbolize longevity, endurance, wisdom, and protection,” Governor Francis said. “Because of their slow steady movements and immense life spans, they are a powerful reminder of patience, resilience and the value of persistence over speed and I believe this truly embodies the man you are, and the leader that you are to your people and your family.” Rosa Johnson: Tribute from Island Governor Johnson’s Wife Rosa Johnson, Island Governor Johnson’s wife, offered a personal tribute, and spoke of the sacrifices and dedication she witnessed over the past eighteen years. “I have watched him give his time, his energy, and his wisdom to Saba,” she said. “He has served with integrity, patience, and a deep respect for the people of this island.” She also shared on the unique nature of leadership on a small island, where the people you serve are also your neighbors, friends, and family, and honored the memory of Governor Johnson’s parents, noting that they too would be immensely proud of the legacy he has created. Before welcoming State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government, Eric van der Burg to the stage, the crowd was filled with the powerful sounds from the Riddim Nation drum band. State Secretary van der burg presents Royal Decoration to Island Governor Johnson State Secretary Eric van der Burg then took the stage, and paid attention to Island Governor Johnson’s many years of service, including his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes Irma and Maria, and other defining moments in Saba’s recent history. On behalf of His Majesty the King, Governor Johnson was appointed as Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau, a distinguished royal decoration recognizing his longstanding commitment to good governance, social cohesion, and the strengthening of Saba’s position within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. State Secretary Van der Burg highlighted Governor Johnson’s role in major developments such as the constitutional reform of 10-10-10 and the realization of a new port, praising his ability to ensure that Saba always had a strong voice within the Kingdom and in The Hague. “You are more than [the resident’s] governor,” Van der Burg said. “You are part of their history.” Governor Johnson’s Farewell Address In his closing speech, Governor Johnson reflected on the privilege of serving the island of his birth for nearly two decades and the lessons he was able to learn from those that carried similar responsibilities. “Calm judgment matters, listening matters, and your ego must never get in the way of the responsibility you carry,” he said. He emphasized that leadership is never about one person, but about trust and service, and reminded attendees that the true beauty of Saba lies not only in its mountains, seas, and villages, but in its people and their support for one another. Governor Johnson also reflected on difficult moments during his tenure, including natural disasters and emergencies, noting that even in moments of loss and crisis, we must find the resolve to build something better for the […]
- June 14, 2026
Invasive Species Control Measures
The Public Entity wishes to inform the general public that intensified invasive species control measures will be implemented in the period between June 15th and September 30th. While hiking trails will generally remain open, some trails may be closed if necessary for safety reasons. In those cases, the respective trails will be closed on hunting days and opened up as soon as a hunting activity is finished. The Saba Tourist Bureau and the Saba Conservation Foundation will be updated daily on where hunting activities will be taking place and on trail closures when applicable. We kindly request visitors who plan to go hiking to contact them via the phone numbers below in order to be advised on the accessibility of trails. Current invasive species control measures include hunting of roaming livestock and non-native iguanas, as well as removal of feral cats, rats and chickens. The Public Entity works closely together with the Saba Conservation Foundation in these invasive species control activities. For inquiries or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the Public Entity at info@sabagov.nl. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Saba Tourist Bureau: +599-416-2231 / 2322 Saba Conservation Foundation: + 599 416-3295 / 2709 PES.
At his farewell as island governor of Saba, Mr. Jonathan Johnson received a Royal Honour for his great dedication to the island. He received this tribute from the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government, Eric van der Burg. Jonathan Johnson was appointed as ‘Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau’. Eric van der Burg praised the dedication, integrity, and connecting capacity with which Mr. Johnson fulfilled the position. Johnson did this in a small community where major administrative challenges are directly tangible in the daily life of the residents. In doing so, he championed good governance, social cohesion, and strengthening the position of the island within the Kingdom and the region. His commitment has had a demonstrably positive impact on the stability, development, and representation of Saba. Both locally, and in collaboration with partners within the Caribbean Netherlands and European Netherlands. In his speech, the State Secretary mentioned the major changes Saba went through under the leadership of Mr. Johnson. For example, the constitutional reform of 10-10-10, but also the realisation of a new harbour. He also reflected on the events that had a big impact on the society, such as Covid, and hurricanes Irma and Maria. Johnson was highly appreciated for his approachability, his strong performances during crises, and his personal communication with the residents of Saba. Mr. J.G.A. (Jonathan) Johnson was Island Governor of the Public Entity Saba since 2008. In this position, he was responsible for, among other things, public order and safety, crisis management, the quality of public administration, and the representation of Saba within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. RCN.
State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Effective Government Eric van der Burg will visit Saba from June 12 up and till June 14. During this working visit, he will participate in the farewell activities for Island Governor Jonathan Johnson. Mr. Johnson will step down on June 13 after serving as Island Governor of Saba for eighteen years. Mr. Van der Burg will also hold various informal discussions with attending officials, including Governor Ajamu Baly of Sint Maarten, Island Governor Alida Francis and commissioner Rechelline Leerdam of Sint Eustatius, Saba’s commissioner Buce Zagers, and Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean region Walter Hansen. Additionally, he will visit Saba’s waste management facility and the Saba Conservation Foundation, the organization dedicated to nature preservation. RCN.
Arrest for Assault On Saturday, the 6th of June, at approximately 10:30 PM, a 50-year-old man with the initials K.A.W. was arrested on E.A. Johnson Road on Saba for assault. The case is under investigation Arrest for Insulting a Public Official on Duty On Saturday, the 6th of June, around 6:30 PM, a 37-year-old woman with the initials N.G.M.W.H. was arrested on Booby Hill Road on Saba for insulting a public official on duty. During a mediation, the suspect insulted the officers on the scene, after which she was arrested and taken to the police station. Lobster Theft On Saturday, the 6th of June, a report was filed regarding the theft of lobsters from a lobster trap moored at a pier on Bay Front Street on Saba. Unknown individuals took approximately 27 lobsters with a total weight of about 80 to 90 pounds. The case is under investigation. KPCN
Higher temperatures, heavy downpours, stronger wind speeds, rising sea levels, and hurricanes of the most severe category: the climate will continue to change in the future. That is why the Central Government is drawing up a new National Climate Adaptation Strategy (NAS). It states what is required for the Netherlands to be climate-resilient: now and in the future. Starting from 9 June, individuals can share their thoughts on the ambitions and targets for the Caribbean Netherlands. This process is possible by reacting to the draft of the National Climate Adaptation Strategy 2026. The strategy is adopted at the end of 2026. Minister Vincent Karremans (Infrastructure and Water Management): “Of course, much attention and many resources have been dedicated to the reduction of greenhouse gases in recent years, but considerably less to how we can best adapt to a changing climate. While that is wise, we can already see how heavy downpours result in erosion of the coastline, and the temperatures are already significantly higher than a couple of years ago. We now need to look ahead: how can we keep our kingdom safe and resilient? Clear choices are necessary over time, which is why it’s crucial to decide on these measures promptly”. The strategy outlines the ambitions and targets for each sector. The strategy outlines the ambitions of the central government and the targets established for each sector. A distinction is made between the European and the Caribbean Netherlands. We aim to keep infrastructure functional, ensure safety from flooding and hurricanes, and protect important cultural heritage across the Netherlands, despite the differing effects of climate change. Improve knowledge, then measures. Currently, we are strengthening the knowledge about the effects of climate change on the three islands. The report indicates the points on which we want to improve that knowledge. This step is expressly not the finish line: in parallel, measures must also be elaborated. There will be a specific approach per island, in the course of which the climate plans that the islands are currently developing form an important basis. The public entities are developing these climate plans in collaboration with the residents. More information: From Tuesday, 9 June, up to and including Monday, 20 July 2026, everyone can submit an opinion on the draft program National Climate Adaptation Strategy (Draft NAS) and the related environmental impact assessment (EIA plan). More information can be found at https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/infrastructure-and-water-management/climate-adaptation. RCN
~~Johnson represents Saba~~ Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina announced on Wednesday that Kevin James will replace Tadzio Bervoets as St. Maarten’s representative on the board of Saba Bank Resources NV at the company’s next shareholders meeting on June 17. The announcement came during the continuation of a parliamentary meeting concerning allegations of integrity breaches against the Prime Minister. The issue arose after Member of Parliament Dimar Labega sought clarification on whether St. Maarten currently has representatives serving on Saba Bank Resources NV. In response, Mercelina said that St. Maarten is represented on the board and said Bervoets had been serving in that capacity until now. According to the Prime Minister, Bervoets will be replaced at the next shareholders meeting, scheduled for June 17, by Kevin James, who will become St. Maarten’s new representative on the board of Saba Bank Resources NV. Earlier in the meeting, Mercelina had explained that a separate vacancy existed for the position representing the public entity of Saba. He stated: “Saba Bank NV had a vacancy for the position representing the public entity of Saba. Thus, the person in question fills that vacancy for the public entity of Saba after having received the necessary approvals of the Council of Ministers of St Maarten, Curacao, the executive council of St. Eustatius and most importantly, the executive council of Saba for which the person represents.” The representative serving on behalf of the public entity of Saba is Stuart Johnson. The Daily Herald.
As part of its ongoing commitment to student success and programme development, the team at USM recently conducted a qualitative assessment of the Caribbean Foundation Year Program (CFY), engaging students and stakeholders from St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius. The assessment, led by USM Marketing Consultant Shobhan Giterson, included interviews and discussions with current and former CFY students from St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius, as well as coordinators and community stakeholders, to gather feedback on the program’s first year of implementation. The Caribbean Foundation Year (CFY) Programme, recently renamed from the Caribbean Academic Foundation Year (CAFY) Programme, was introduced to provide students with an accessible pathway into higher education while helping them strengthen academic, personal, and professional skills needed for success at the tertiary level. Throughout the visit, a series of interviews and discussions were conducted to better understand participant experiences, identify strengths of the program, and explore opportunities for future improvement. Discussions focused on student transition experiences, academic support, communication, program delivery, and the overall impact of CFY on participating students. According to Giterson, hearing directly from students and stakeholders is essential to ensuring that the program continues to evolve and meet the needs of the students it serves. The purpose of this visit was to listen, observe, and learn. We wanted to understand what worked well, where improvements can be made, and how we can continue strengthening the program for future students. The feedback received from students, coordinators, community partners, and stakeholders was incredibly valuable and demonstrates the importance of maintaining strong connections with the islands we serve,” Giterson added. The findings from the qualitative assessment will be used to support future program enhancements, strengthen student support services, and inform upcoming recruitment and outreach activities planned for both islands. The visit also provided an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and explore additional ways of supporting students throughout their educational journey. The university extends its sincere appreciation to all CFY students from St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius, the New Challenges Foundation, the Saba Reach Foundation, the coordinators, Gwendoline van Putten School and its students, community partners, and stakeholders who participated in the assessment and generously shared their experiences and recommendations. USM thanked the Mega D Youth Foundation and Acting Governor Sharon Hassell for taking the time to meet during the visit. Their insights, support, and commitment to youth development contributed greatly to the discussions and further highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating educational opportunities and pathways for students across the region. With applications now open for the August 2026 intake, USM encourages prospective students from St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius to explore the opportunities available through the CFY Program and other academic pathways. Persons interested in learning more can attend the upcoming USM Information Session on June 17, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM on the USM campus, where faculty, coordinators, and admissions staff will be available to answer questions and provide guidance on the application process and program options. The Daily Herald.
The Second Chamber in The Hague has approved legislation that will increase the number of Island Council members and island deputies on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba beginning with the next island elections in March 2027. The proposal, known as the Increase Act (Verhogingswet), was introduced by State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation Eric van der Burg and is intended to strengthen democratic representation and administrative capacity on the three Caribbean municipalities. Under the legislation, the number of Island Council seats will increase in stages. Bonaire’s council will expand from nine to 11 members, while St. Eustatius and Saba will each increase from five to seven council members following the elections scheduled for March 17, 2027. The number of island deputies will also grow. Bonaire’s Executive Council will expand from three to four deputies, while St. Eustatius and Saba will each increase from two to three deputies. The changes form part of a broader revision of the Public Entities Act for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (WolBES). The number of council members and deputies has remained unchanged since 2010 despite population growth and increasing administrative demands on the islands. According to the Dutch government, island authorities have repeatedly indicated that the current number of deputies is insufficient to handle the growing workload. Once all phases of the legislative reform have been completed, the number of Island Council members and deputies will be linked to population size, similar to the system used by municipalities in the European Netherlands. Van der Burg welcomed the House’s approval of the proposal. “I am pleased that Parliament handled this bill so quickly and approved it,” he said. “By increasing the number of Island Council members and deputies, we are strengthening both democracy and the administrative capacity of the islands. I will continue discussions with the island governments and work on the support measures previously agreed upon for implementation and financing.” Lawmakers also approved an amendment submitted by Member of Parliament Don Ceder and others requiring an evaluation after the first increase in the number of council members and deputies. Under the amendment, all three public entities must first be evaluated before any further expansion of seats can take place. The bill will now be considered by the Dutch Senate (Eerste Kamer). If approved, the amendments will become law and are expected to take effect in time for the March 2027 Island Council elections. The Daily Herald
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Arrest for Assault On Saturday, the 6 th of June, at approximately 10:30 PM, a 50-year-old man with the initials K.A.W. was arrested on E.A. Johnson Road on Saba for assault. The case is under investigation Arrest for Insulting a Public Official on Duty On Saturday, the 6 th of June, around 6:30 PM, a 37-year-old woman with the initials N.G.M.W.H. was arrested on Booby Hill Road on Saba for insulting a public official on duty. During a mediation, the suspect insulted the officers on the scene, after which she was arrested and taken to the police station. Lobster Theft On Saturday, the 6 th of June, a report was filed regarding the theft of lobsters from a lobster trap moored at a pier on Bay Front Street on Saba. Unknown individuals took approximately 27 lobsters with a total weight of about 80 to 90 pounds. The case is under investigation. Scheduled traffic check During the morning hours of Friday, the 5 th of June, a scheduled traffic check was conducted on Samuel A. Charles Street in The Bottom on Saba. During the check, 11 vehicles were stopped and checked. All drivers had their documents in order. The police will continue to conduct these types of checks on a regular basis. Strict action will be taken against drivers who do not have their documents in order or who do not comply with traffic rules. Anyone who does not follow the rules risks a fine.
