Zagers calls on Dutch Parliament to move “from recognition to action”

Commissioner Bruce Zagers has called on members of the Dutch Second Chamber to turn years of recognition of the challenges facing Saba and the Caribbean Netherlands into concrete action.

In a letter dated September 17, ahead of parliamentary votes on motions concerning the Caribbean Netherlands, Zagers says many of the issues he raised with parliamentarians a year ago remain unresolved. While acknowledging the significant investments made by the Netherlands and the progress achieved, he argues that too many structural problems continue to be discussed without resulting in timely solutions.

Connectivity is one of the clearest examples cited in the letter. Although the legal basis for an aviation Public Service Obligation (PSO) is now in place, Zagers says structural financing has yet to be secured, and implementation may not take place before 2028. In the meantime, residents of Saba and Statia continue to face high airfares.

He also draws attention to what he describes as an imbalance in government-related economic activity within the Caribbean Netherlands. The concentration of Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN) and other Kingdom activities on Bonaire generates employment and economic activity there. Zagers asks whether a fraction of that structural spending could instead be used to improve connectivity and economic opportunities on Saba and Statia.

Energy costs are another concern. According to the letter, electricity on Saba would currently cost approximately $0.56 per kWh without local intervention. Measures by the Public Entity Saba and Saba Electric Company have temporarily kept the tariff at approximately $0.46, but this intervention will no longer be available in 2027.

Zagers also questions the use of the €30 million that the coalition agreement says will be made structurally available to address poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands. The 2027 budget allocates €15.3 million of this amount to energy measures, including €6 million for Saba’s solar and battery project and €6.1 million for Statia.

While welcoming these investments, Zagers asks why essential energy infrastructure is being financed from funds intended to improve livelihood security. He points to the billions available through mainstream Dutch programs such as SDE++ and argues that when such programs do not apply to the Caribbean Netherlands, there should be a comparable alternative.

Infrastructure presents a similar challenge. Saba’s recent drought brought the island close to the limits of its water production and distribution capacity. Although investments have been made, Zagers says additional redundancy, pumping and transportation capacity, and strategic water storage are still required.

The Commissioner stresses that advisory bodies, Parliament, and the Dutch government itself have repeatedly recognized these concerns. His central argument is therefore no longer about establishing whether the problems exist but about translating that recognition into structural solutions.

Zagers concludes by calling for political decisiveness and “no-regret solutions” that strengthen the islands’ economies, reduce the cost of living, and structurally improve residents’ lives.

“After all these years, the question is no longer whether these gaps exist, but what we are prepared to do to close them.”

Read the original letter HERE.