THE BOTTOM, Saba - Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten visited Saba on Sunday as part of his tour through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, holding talks with the island’s Executive Council on issues including the high cost of living, transportation connectivity and tourism development.
Jetten was welcomed on arrival by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson and Island Secretary Bram Streppel. During meetings with the Executive Council, local officials emphasized the need for improved air connectivity through a Public Service Obligation (PSO) arrangement and pointed to rising transportation and fuel costs as key drivers behind the island’s high cost of living.
Commissioner Bruce Zagers noted that prices on Saba are heavily affected by the island’s position at the end of regional supply chains. Possible measures discussed included lowering excise duties on products such as fuel and continuing investments in renewable energy projects, including the second phase of the island’s solar park.
The Prime Minister also visited the Black Rocks Harbor project, where construction of the breakwater continues and additional Xblocs are being produced on Sint Eustatius. Zagers described the harbor development as the largest infrastructure project in Saba’s history and an important investment in resilience and safety following years of hurricane damage to the existing harbor facilities.
Environmental conservation was another focus of the visit. At the Saba Conservation Foundation, discussions centered on coral relocation efforts linked to the harbor project, protection of the cloud forest and the ecological significance of the Saba Bank marine park. The organization also highlighted ongoing challenges related to staffing capacity and long-term structural funding.
Jetten further visited the Saba Cares nursing home and the St. Johns Campus development project, where plans are underway for a new gymnasium, technical school and enrichment center.
Impressed
Reflecting on the visit, Jetten said he was impressed by the scale of development projects underway on the island and praised Saba’s strong sense of community. Saba marked the second stop during the Prime Minister’s Caribbean tour, with the delegation scheduled to continue to Sint Eustatius on Monday.
