THE BOTTOM – Outgoing Island Governor Jonathan Johnson has received a Royal Decoration at his farewell as Island Governor of Saba. He was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. The decoration was presented by the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation, Eric van der Burg.
Praise for dedication and connection
Van der Burg praised the dedication, integrity, and connecting capacity with which Johnson carried out the role. He did so in a small community where major administrative challenges are directly felt in residents’ daily lives. According to the State Secretary, Johnson championed good governance, social cohesion, and the strengthening of Saba’s position within the Kingdom and the region. His commitment is said to have had a clear positive impact on the island’s stability, development, and representation, both locally and in cooperation with partners in the Caribbean Netherlands and the European Netherlands.
Major changes during his term
In his speech, Van der Burg pointed to the major changes Saba underwent during Johnson’s tenure. These included the constitutional reform of 10-10-10 and the realisation of a new harbour. He also reflected on events that had a significant impact on the community, such as the Covid pandemic and hurricanes Irma and Maria. Johnson was praised for his approachability, his performance during crises, and his personal communication with Saba’s residents.
Governor since 2008
Jonathan Johnson has been Island Governor of the public entity Saba since 2008. In that role, he was responsible for, among other things, public order and safety, crisis management, the quality of public administration, and the representation of Saba within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
