Islands looking for specific
commitments of the Dutch
SABA--A delegation of the BES islands, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, is leaving for The Hague for the next BES-week, taking place from Monday 17 till Friday 21 November. The islands will be having several “one on one” sessions with the Dutch Ministries in an attempt to have more specific discussions on the level of provisions to be provided by the Dutch Government.
“We will know where we stand and if the Netherlands is up to the commitment to invest in the island’s infrastructure, such as a new school and hospital,” said Leader of the Saba delegation Chris Johnson of the WIPM. He told The Daily Herald that the delegation will fly out to the Netherlands today, Friday.
Specific studies that have been done pertaining to the four main established areas of concern, health care, social development, education and justice (also referred to as the four pillars), will be the main topic of discussion.
Johnson said that Saba will be establishing its point of view that a solid basis is needed to make the improvement regarding the “four pillars.” As an example the Commissioner said that telecommunications and emergency response are two matters that should be up to par to guarantee a better level of provisions.
Johnson said he will be referring to the helicopter accident to show how isolated Saba is. In previous meetings more general discussions were already held on studies done on the infrastructure of the BES islands, but now the islands expect more detailed dialogues.
In light of all the different developments in the Antilles, the BES-islands are still on track and focused on the desired direction of the constitutional change process. Other members of the Saba delegation going to the Netherlands are advisor Will Johnson and political faction leader Rolando Wilson.
Commissioners Julian Woodley and Anthony Nicolaas will be heading the St. Eustatius and Bonaire delegations respectively.
