Government

Government News

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Bonaire Has a New Executive Council

Earlier this week, the Island Territory of Bonaire swore in new members of the Executive Council.  As a governing accord already had been signed between ADB leader Jopie Abraham and Anthony Nicolaas, the new commissioners were appointed by the Island Council on Monday. 

The governing accord between ADB and Nicolaas calls for negotiations with the Netherlands “to come to equal rights for all citizens in the broadest sense on the basis of mutual respect, the final result of which will be put before the people in a referendum.” This may be interpreted that the incoming coalition will not accept the current package for Bonaire to become a special overseas entity of the Netherlands as part of the “BES-Islands” together with St. Eustatius and Saba.

The new commissioners are Nolly Oleana, Marugia Janga, Pancho Cicilia, and Frensel Janga and their duties will cover the following areas:

Marugia S.M. Janga will be covering the Structural Status of the island, Public Health and Hygiene, Social Services, General and Legal affairs, and Information and Protocol.

Pancrasio “Pancho” B. Cicilia will cover Finances, Personnel, Economic & Labour Affairs, and Public Enterprises (excluding Telbo, Selibon, and Bonaire International Airport). 

Frensel Janga will manage DROB, the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, & Fisheries, Fire, Internal Affairs, Post & Archive, and Housing.

Nolly Oleana will be responsible for Education, Sport & Culture, Domain Management, Environment, and Transport (including Telbo, Bonaire International Airport, and the Harbour). (Source:  Island Government Release)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bonaire Strives Toward Becoming First Caribbean Island Powered by Total Sustainable Energy

In its continued efforts to become powered by 100 percent sustainable energy, Bonaire announced today that the Phase One Wind Farm should be completed this year and that full conversion is planned for 2012.

In 2007, the island government, which takes pride in the island’s beauty and nature preservation, agreed to a multi-faceted project to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel energy by developing an energy system comprised of an 11MW wind farm, 14MW biodiesel plant, and a 3MW backup battery.  Ecopower Bonaire BV, a consortium consisting of Evelop, Enercon, and MAN, is spearheading this project that is expected to complete its first phase by the end of 2009.

The project developers have already completed the installation of a pilot 330KW wind turbine, whose current energy production exceeds any initial expectations. Accordingly, 12 additional 990 KW wind turbines are being installed on the north coast of the island, where wind and surf conditions are most ideal. By the end of 2009, these wind turbines should produce 44% of the island’s energy.  The remaining 56% will be produced by the planned 14MW biodiesel generators, utilizing fuel derived from algae, which will enable the island to shift to 100% sustainable energy supply within five years.

All electricity generated will be delivered to WEB (Water and Energy Bonaire).  After completion of the entire project, Ecopower Bonaire BV will remain owner of the wind-biodiesel system.  (Source:  TCB-NY)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Accords are Signed at Kingdom Day’s Round Table Conference in Curacao

Yesterday, Kingdom Day, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende was in Curacao to attend the Round Table Conference, where he signed an agreement with the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba on the new political structure of the islands.

The final details were ironed out at this summit, and guidelines are now established on the powers of the Dutch government regarding the administration of law in the Netherlands Antilles. In the 2007 round of autonomy negotiations, the Dutch government agreed to write off the largest part of the Antillean debt in exchange for having a say in the islands’ legal system and finances. The islands of Curaçao and Sint Maarten will become autonomous territories, while Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become Dutch municipalities. In 2009, the last conditions of dissolution will be discussed and finalized. (Source:  Radio Netherlands Worldwide)

Friday, December 12, 2008

Opening of Dutch Regional Service Center Celebrates with Free Concert

The new office of the Dutch Regional Service Center will officially open its doors on Bonaire on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 at 4:30 PM, when State Secretary Ank Bijleveld-Schouten cuts the ribbon.  The center will be located on Kaya Internationaal, in the APNA Building.  To celebrate with all those on Bonaire, there will be a free concert at 7:00 PM in Wilhelmina Park presented by the Dutch singer, Hind, and the Happy Band of Bonaire. 

From the 1st of January, 2009, the center will coordinate all the future activities in regard to Bonaire’s new political status change, and it will work with the local government to create the necessary laws to effect the upcoming status.  The office will be initially working with the departments of education, public health, and infrastructure.

State Secretary Bijleveld has specifically asked Dutch singer Hind to come to Bonaire to give a special show to all inhabitants of the island.  In 2003, Hind was one of the semi-finalists in the first edition of Idols.  In 2004, Hind received the honor of being named the Best New Artist in Holland.  The repertoire will be varied and the Happy Band of Bonaire, also playing, will be much enjoyed with their salsa and meringue music during the concert.

All are welcome.  For additional information, contact Marianne Maldonado of the Information Service of the Insular Territory of Bonaire at 786-0864 (when on Bonaire).  (Source:  Island Government)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Bonaire’s Department of Labor and Economic Affairs Publishes 2007 Economic Note

Each year, DEZA (The Department of Labor and Economic Affairs) publishes a summary of the prior year’s advances or declines in the economy of Bonaire.  This summary has just been published for 2007.

The Economic Note provides in-depth information and statistics regarding many facets of life on Bonaire, including stay-over tourism, cruise tourism, importing and exporting, population, labor affairs, construction, as well as other areas of importance to the Bonaire community.

Those who have an interest in this data may download the Economic Note by clicking here (in PDF format).  (Source:  DEZA)

Friday, October 24, 2008

Bonaire’s Government Passes Fully Integrated Law on Nature Protection

Earlier this month, Bonaire became the second island of the Netherlands Antilles to pass a law that provides a comprehensive framework to protect its nature both on land and in the sea, taking into account all international agreements to which the Netherlands Antilles has agreed.

All islands of the Netherlands Antilles are required by national law to pass such legislation, but until now only St. Maarten did so, back in 2003, and that island has not subsequently established any marine or terrestrial protected areas. Bonaire, of course has had a well managed marine protected area for more than twenty years, as well as the Washington Slagbaai Park on land. The new Bonaire Island Nature Ordinance will allow the island to update and strengthen the regulations that protect those areas.

For more details on the new law (available only in Dutch), click here, where you will also find a link to the full text of the new ordinance as well as its Explanatory Memorandum (also only available in Dutch).  (Source:  VOMIL)

Monday, September 22, 2008

Two New Traffic Circles are Planned for Bonaire

For many years now, Bonaire has been known as one of the few Caribbean islands which still doesn’t have a traffic light.  However, with increasing population and tourism, there are certain areas which have become congested with traffic and problematic.

The Deputy of Infrastructure, Mr. Anthony Nicolaas, announced today that two new traffic circles will be built on Bonaire in the near future.

Because of increased traffic, there are now areas of major congestion which have become dangerous.  The first new traffic rotary will connect Nikiboko and Tera Kora, and the second will connect Kaya Industria with Kaya International.  Both of these areas have shown an increased incidence in traffic accidents in recent months, even with some fatalities, and it’s hoped that the traffic circles will alleviate this problem.

In the meantime, the government hopes that drivers will take more care and drive more slowly, especially in these particularly dangerous intersections, until the traffic circles can be built. (Source:  Island Government)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Bonaire Opts for U.S. Dollar as New Official Currency

As the island moves forward with a new state structure with closer ties to Holland, a new official currency must be chosen that will be used on Bonaire.  This is due to the fact that, when the Antilles ceases to exist in its current form, each island will have a different status, and therefore it’s logical that the Antillean Florin may not exist in the future.

To achieve optimal participation by the Bonaire community in the process of choosing a new currency, trade unions and interested parties in the community formed a commission to render an opinion on a new currency.  Many well respected members of Bonaire’s economic community are in this commission--Sherwin Pourier, Evert Piar, Raymundo Saleh, and Rudy Gomez.

This past Tuesday, during a meeting with trade unions and the government, the commission rendered its opinion and analysis on the subject.  The commission’s decision is that Bonaire’s new currency must be the U.S. Dollar.  The sister island of Saba, has also chosen the U.S. Dollar for its official currency.  The members of the committee also presented their views on how they believe the dollar will have to be introduced.  The conversion must be done in stages and there must be an information and awareness campaign, to avoid any confusion.  Also, it is thought that the sudden introduction of the dollar, according to the committee, might have undesirable impacts on the economy and the social level of the island.

According to the Bestuurscollege, it is important to respond in a timely manner and to have a clear idea of the impact the use of the dollar will have on the Bonaire economy. Therefore, the Economic Affairs Department (DEZA) will continue the awareness campaign on the use of a new currency. Bonaire commercial entities may be requested to price and display their products in both guilders and dollars in advance of the conversion.

The next step in this process is that the Eilandsraad and Dutch governments must be provided information about this presentation and choice of currency.  (Source:  Island Government)

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Dia di Boneiru (Bonaire Day) Celebration Agenda for September 6, 2008

Bonaire’s flag day falls each year on September 6th, and a full day’s celebratory events are planned.  Each year, the festivities take place in a different barrio (or neighborhood), and for 2008, Antriol will be hosting the event.

The festivities begin in the morning with services and speeches, and as the day continues, music and dancing take the center stage.  For a full schedule of events, click here (in PDF format, and in Papiamentu). (Source:  Island Government)

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Deputy Nicolaas Inspects Bonaire’s Reefs

Deputy Anthony Nicolaas, in charge of the environment for the island of Bonaire, recently went on a dive at the dive site 18th Palm with Bonaire National Marine Park manager, Ramon de Leon, to personally inspect and assess the health of the island’s reef system.

The image shows Deputy Nicolaas (right) together with Ramon de
Leon, (left) manager of the Bonaire National Marine Park, as they
prepare to begin their reef inspection at the 18th Palm dive site.

This dive was arranged after a meeting with Deputy Nicolaas, STINAPA, and the Island Government’s DROB (Department of the Environment and Nature) where he was updated on the STINAPA / DROB investigation in relation to the quantity of nutrients entering the ocean and how they may possibly effect the condition of Bonaire’s reefs.

During the dive, the marine park manager pointed out areas of the reef which have been stressed by bacteria or nutrients.  He also pointed out different areas of the reef vulnerable to coral bleaching, normally a deleterious effect of high sea water temperatures.  Deputy Nicolaas will continue to dive around Bonaire to inspect the health of the island’s reef system.  Together with DROB and STINAPA, a continued vigilance will be kept to ensure the health of the reefs surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.  (Source:  Island Government)