Government

Government News

Friday, February 29, 2008

Bonaire Island Government Stipulates Fish Reserve Areas

The Executive Council of Bonaire took the decision to install two areas of fish reserves in the Bonaire Marine Park.  The two areas are between Playa Chachacha going southward to the marina at Plaza Resort, as well as Punt’i Waya (the north end of Hato) going southward to the marina at Harbour Village Resort.  Effective immediately, it is prohibited to fish in these areas.

The creation of these reserve areas is part of the government’s nature management plan and are part of the marine park which STINAPA administers.  During 2007, STINAPA, together with a section of the nature managment area of DROB, investigated the idea of the reserves with scientists, local fishermen, and other involved entities.

The rangers of the Bonaire National Marine Park will be supervising and patrolling the new fish reserves.  As in the past, other areas within the marine park are unaffected, such as between Karpata and Bopec and the area of Playa Frans to Boka Slagbaai.

The creation of these fish reserves was based upon the fact that, during past years, the local Bonaire fishermen noted less fish were available and that the fish caught were smaller in size than those caught only ten years ago. This same phenomenon was also experienced in St. Lucia, where local fisherman found more fish, and larger fish, only after the creation of fish reserves.  The reserves provide fish with areas where they can reproduce and grow to larger sizes without disturbance. (Source:  Bonaire Island Government)

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Additional Changes in Street Closures in Coming Weeks Due to Cruise Ships in Bonaire’s Port

This coming Wednesday, February 13, 2008, both the Crown Princess and the Summit will be in Kralendijk’s port.  Both piers, Town Pier (North Pier) and the Customs Pier (South Pier) will be in use during this day.  The Crown Princess will arrive at 8:00 AM and will depart at 5:00 PM.  The Summit will visit from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM. There are five additional occasions in the coming weeks when both piers will be in use, and road closures will occur.

In connection with this, the previously published scheduled of street closures has been amended.  Instead, the following areas will be closed to any traffic not holding a required permit on February 13, February 20, March 5, March 12, March 19, and March 25:

1) The entrance to the parking lot next to Bestuurscollege (Government House).

2) Kaya Grandi will be closed.

3) The road by Karel’s Beach Bar.

4) The road by the Customs Pier (South Pier).

For those who require additional information, it is suggested they contact either Mr. Robert Evertsz or Mr. Rolando Marin at the TCB, phone 717-8322.  The Tourist Corporation Bonaire apologizes for any inconvenience this situation causes.

To view the TCB release in Papiamentu, click here.  (Source:  TCB Bonaire)

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Street Closures are Amended for February 6th, 2008, Due to Cruise Ships in Bonaire’s Port

This coming Wednesday, February 6, 2008, both the Crown Princess and the Summit will be in Kralendijk’s port.  Both piers, Town Pier (North Pier) and the Customs Pier (South Pier) will be in use during this day.  The Crown Princess will arrive at 12:00 Noon and will depart at 7:00 PM.  The Summit will visit from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM.

In connection with this, the previously published scheduled of street closures has been amended.  Instead, the following areas will be closed to any traffic not holding a required permit:

1) The entrance to the parking lot next to Bestuurscollege (Government House) will be closed from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

2) Kaya Grandi will be closed from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM. 

3) The road by Karel’s Beach Bar will be closed from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM.

4) The road by the Customs Pier (South Pier) will be closed at noon.

For those who require additional information, it is suggested they contact either Mr. Robert Evertsz or Mr. Rolando Marin at the TCB, phone 717-8322.  The Tourist Corporation Bonaire apologizes for any inconvenience this situation causes.

To view the TCB release in Papiamentu, click here.  (Source:  TCB Bonaire)

Note Update February 5, 2008: We’ve been advised by the TCB that the two ships’ amended hours are as follows:  The Crown Princess will arrive at 10:00 AM and sail at 7:00 PM, and the Summit will arrive at 11:30 AM and depart at 7:00 PM. (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Friday, February 01, 2008

The Bank of the Netherlands Antilles Warns About Fraudulent Bank Notes

With upcoming festivities such as Karnival, as well as other events, the Bank of the Netherlands Antilles warns the public about the possibility of the circulation of false banknotes. 

Although the extent of counterfeiting is not substantial at the moment, the bank is nevertheless warning of the possibility. The bank said it had experienced a problem last year at this time, where perpetrators were removing the gold foil found on 10 guilder notes and pasting it on false 100 guilder notes they produced, which caused the fraudulent note to appear authentic.

The bank advises paying attention to the authenticity characteristics on any notes you may receive, and when in doubt, visit the bank’s web site by clicking here for more information on how to identify fraudulent notes and also confirm authentic bank notes. 

The bank does give much emphasis on the fact that it does not accept false bank notes and does not exchange bank notes that have been manipulated. It advises that when one encounters a falsified bank note, one should contact the police. A person who falsifies or is aware of paying with false money is subject to a nine-year prison sentence.  (Source:  The Daily Herald St. Maarten)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

EU Provides Euro 20 Million to Bonaire for Sewer System

According to commissioner Anthony Nicolaas (UPB) of Town and Country Planning & Management, after 18 years of trying, Bonaire has finally received the needed financing from the EU to implement a sewer system.

The subsidy of 20 million Euro, or more than 50 million Antillean Guilders, will fund the project which includes digging and installing the sewer system, as well as an installation for water treatment.  It is planned that WEB will be in charge of the implementation, and the LVV will manage the water treatment installation.  The treated water will be used to irrigate the green areas of hotels and for agricultural uses.

The sewer system will run from Hato to Punt Vierkant, with a buffer zone of 500 meters.  All cesspools in this area will be replaced with septic tanks, to prevent sewage water from flowing into the sea via the groundwater.

“I am very pleased. The contract must now be signed, after which we can start with the tender. The start of the project is planned for early next year”, says Nicolaas. (Source:  Amigoe)

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Closing of Streets on Bonaire for Cruise Ship Season Begins Next Week

As was done for the 2006/2007 cruise ship season last year, once again areas and streets will be closed to traffic when large cruise ships are in port.  However, this year, not only will Kaya Grandi be closed during certain periods, but also three other areas.

Closings will occur beginning October 31st, 2007 when the Crown Princess visits.  Kaya Grandi will be closed whenever a cruise ship of more than 3000 passengers is in port. 

Additionally, closings will occur at various times in the area of Karel’s Beach Bar, the entrance to the parking area of the Bestuurscollege, and in the area of Fort Oranje.

You may view the entire schedule of closed areas with dates and times (in PDF format and in Papiamentu) by clicking here.  During the 2007/2008 cruise season, it is expected to received 156,702 passengers in port.

For additional information about street closings, you may contact Mr. Rolando Marin at the Tourist Corporation Bonaire at 717-8322.  (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Bonaire’s Population is Growing

This year through September 30, 2007, the population of Bonaire was increased by 473 inhabitants.  At the beginning of 2007, Bonaire had 14,006 inhabitants, and by the end of September, the Registry Office of Bonaire had a total of 14,479 people registered as residents.

114 babies were born in the first nine months of this year and there were 49 deaths.  895 people established residence on Bonaire in the first nine months, while 487 emigrated.  Of those coming to reside on Bonaire, 292 were from the Netherlands, 229 from other Antillean islands, 79 from the United States, 60 from Peru, 51 from Colombia, 36 from the Dominican Republic, and 33 from Aruba.

134 persons registered at the Registry Office in June, 122 in January, 105 in September, and 104 in August.  110 Persons emigrated off the island in July, the month that students traditionally leave Bonaire to go to school in the Netherlands. 

Of the 14.479 inhabitants, 7453 (51 percent) are male, and 7026 (49 percent) are female.  47 percent are between the age of 31 and 60, 18 percent are between 0 and 18, 8 percent are between 13 and 18, 14 percent are between 19 and 30, and 13 percent are older than 60.  Most of those re-locating to Bonaire registered home addresses in Antriol (211), Nikiboko (128), and Playa Pabou (75). (Source:  Central Bureau of Statistics)

Monday, September 03, 2007

Final Agenda Announced for Bonaire Day

September 6th is Bonaire Day--and a legal holiday.  Each year the day’s festivities are held in a different neighborhood, but this year’s events will be held in Wilhelmina Park in Playa (Kralendijk).

The activities start as early as 8:00 AM and go all day, ending at 10:00 PM.  You may view the agenda by clicking here (in Papiamentu, in PDF format).  (Source:  Island Government)

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Bonaire’s DEZA Publishes its 2006 Economic Note

The Department of Economic and Labour Affairs (DEZA) has just announced the publication of its 2006 Economic Note.

This document succinctly presents data regarding various sectors of Bonaire economy in a graphical and detailed manner.  Viewers may find a variety of information from the island’s tourism statistics to how much beer and soda is imported and everything in between.  To view the Economic Note, click here (in PDF format).  (Source:  DEZA)

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

New Recompression Chamber for Bonaire

In a recent Island Government release, it was announced that the Fundashon pa Desaroyo Ekonomiko (Foundation for Economic Development) along with Minister Burney el Hage (Minister of Economics and Labor) had approved the necessary funds to purchase the new chamber for the island.

A recompression chamber is essential for a destination such as Bonaire, which is dependent to a large degree on tourism, and dive tourism specifically.  Additionally, the recompression chamber can be used to treat other diseases, such as complications due to diabetes or wound treatment.  Although the chamber that the island has used for many years is still functioning, it is time to replace it before it ceases to operate.

To view the release, click here (in Papiamentu). (Source:  Bonaire Government)