Van der Burg discusses governance and rapid growth with Executive Council Bonaire

KRALENDIJK – State Secretary Eric van der Burg paid a working visit to Bonaire on Tuesday, October 13. He met with the Executive Council to discuss good governance, the development of the island and the progress of the governance agreement between Bonaire and the Netherlands.

Earlier in the day, Island Governor John Soliano held a separate meeting with Van der Burg about the administrative situation on Bonaire and the strengthening of public administration.

During the meeting with the Executive Council, the island government presented the projects that have already been launched, as well as its plans for the coming period. Topics included the development of public transport, the security of electricity supply and the improvement of financial processes.

A large part of the conversation focused on strengthening the organization of the Public Entity of Bonaire (OLB). Due to the island’s rapid growth, the demand for government services is also increasing, and the civil service must be able to meet that demand.

Integrity and delivery capacity

Administrative integrity and delivery capacity were also on the agenda, as was the support Bonaire needs from the Netherlands to fulfil the commitments in the governance agreement.

The Bonaire Governance Agreement 2024-2027 was signed in May 2024 by the Executive Council and then State Secretary Alexandra van Huffelen. The agreement focuses on controlled growth and sustainable development and contains arrangements on, among other things, livelihood security, public transport, infrastructure, permits and enforcement. Public transport was supposed to be operational from 2025, but that goal has not yet been met. In July, Van der Burg said he still wanted the Executive Council to give him a concrete date on which the first bus will run.