Dutch Government pays too little attention to the Caribbean Netherlands, Saba, Statia, Bonaire according to critical report
The government is structurally lagging behind the Caribbean islands that are part of the Netherlands when it comes to the construction of infrastructure and climate policy.
These are “unjustifiable backlogs”, according to a report published on Friday.
To rectify the differences between Bonaire, Saba and Sint-Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands) and the European Netherlands,
“substantial investments” are needed. That is the conclusion of the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) on Friday. This is an important advisory body to the government.
According to the council, the government does not pay enough attention to Bonaire, Saba and Sint-Eustatius. This is reflected in both policy-making and money.
“There are unjustifiable backlogs on the islands in the areas of housing, infrastructure, climate and the quality of the living environment,” concludes the Rli.
Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius have been part of the Netherlands since the autumn of 2010. The Caribbean islands of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten have been separate countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since that year.
‘Road network from 1950’
In the area of roads and housing, the government has not taken into account the population growth on the islands, the council states.
For example, the number of inhabitants of Bonaire has grown from 10,000 to almost 25,000 since 2010. It is expected that this will grow further to over 30,000 in 2050.
But the infrastructure is lagging behind, because the budget for road construction has not grown accordingly.
“It is as if the municipalities in the European Netherlands still had to make do with the road infrastructure and the associated money from 1950,” the council quotes Richard van Zwol. He was chairman of the state commission on demographic developments.
‘Major investments’ needed due to climate change
Also when it comes to climate policy, the government pays insufficient attention to the Caribbean Netherlands.
Dutch Government pays too little attention to the Caribbean Netherlands, Saba, Statia, Bonaire according to critical report
The chance of hurricanes on Saba and Sint Eustatius is increasing. In addition, these hurricanes are becoming increasingly heavier. The islands must prepare for this.
Bonaire will continue to face the consequences of rising sea levels. According to the council, this will require “substantial investments”.
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