For the last two years, the BES islands together witht he Dutch Ministery of Finance have been workign on the future tax structure. These ongoing negotiations have been held on various islands and during the BES weeks, in the Netherlands. The overall goal is to provide revenue for the Islands without increasing the tax burden for the residents. Both Holland and the BES islands realize that the people can not be strained in order to increase revenue. One of the main goals agreed upon with State Secretary, de Jager is to decrease direct taxes and increase indirect taxes. This basically means, that the tax burden will be shared among all persons on the Island – not only the local citizens. For more information please refer to this site and read the translated document.
DOWNLOAD – Bes-fiscal-dlst2009
Finance, General
Henk Kamp
Friday, January 30, 2009 (SGIS) –
On Wednesday, Mr Kamp arrived to pay his first working visit to the Island Government of Saba. As representative of the BES islands, he was accompanied by his wife and secretary, Eric van Haveren. Mr. Kamp started off his meetings with the Executive Council during which he outlined his specific priorities for the island, such as spatial and economic development, environment, waste management, education, police, and safety.
Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs, Chris Johnson, expressed his gratitude for Mr Kamp being able to visit the islands and was in agreement with his list of priorities. However, Comm. Johnson also requested that Kamp pay close attention to the health care when it comes to Saba as well as proper staffing of the Regional Service Center.
Furthermore, Comm. Johnson also was very concerned with regards to funding that has been allocated in the areas of education, health care, and youth/family. The concern lies in the process that which these funds can be obtained, due to Saba’s unique lack of available human resources.
Mr. Kamp spent his second day touring the lush Island of Saba. He paid visits to the hospital, comprehensive school, harbor, and landfill. In closing, he had a final meeting with the Executive Council. Mr. Kamp felt encouraged by what he had seen and how things operate thus far on Saba. He concluded by stating that he is looking forward to working along with the Island Government and improving the public services during the transition period.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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Left to Right: Commissioner Zagers with Mr. Stapleton and Mr. Powell of Nevis Administration and Commissioner Johnson
January 28, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:
Commissioner Zagers and Johnson recently travelled to Nevis to holds talks about the geothermal possibilities on Saba. The trip proved positive from building positive informative relationship with the Nevis Island administration to seeing a live geothermal well with West Indies Power.
Friday the commissioners were able to speak directly with the drillers who would be coming to Saba. The drillers were made aware of the environment of Saba and what can be expected there. On Saturday, open talks with West Indies Power continued and concluded with a tour of Nevis 3 – a live geothermal well site. Upon seeing a live well Commissioner of Energy, Bruce Zagers, was very optimistic that alternative energy is within reach for the island and people of Saba.
Sunday morning they were able to visit another location to see the equipment that will be shipped to Saba – some of which included, drilling rigs, lengths of drill bits, and 20 containers of equipment. The talks concluded with in discussing the entry of workers onto Saba.
The assistance from Minister of Energy, Carlisle Powell, and his Permanent Secretary Ernie Stapleton, was extremely forthcoming when discussing with the Commissioners their experience with geothermal power and legislation. Furthermore, the Nevis Administration also offered significant assistance with Saba’s contract negotiations with West Indies Power, power purchasing agreements, and also shared extensive legal documentation pertaining to the legislation of a geothermal project.
Commissioner of Economic Affairs stated that this kind of economic development could possibly make a small island like Saba self-sustainable. If this were to be achieved it would be an incredible feat for the Island of Saba.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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Commissioner Johnson, with SONA board, signs release of funds for strategic tourism development plan.
January 28th, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:
Today the SONA (Samenwerkings Organisatie) met with the Executive Council of Saba to discuss the SEI (Social Economic Initiative). The Executive Council stressed that regarding infrastructural projects, they are very close to achieving a number of them, however, some things are moving slowly. In particular, it was decided that there is often too much bureaucracy involved in the process of drafting projects.
Commissioner Johnson stated that being a small island has its limitations in regards to human resources and project planning. The island only has a small number of contractors, project writers, and managers therefore things often go slower then is anticipated.
SONAs response was positive, stating that they understand the concerns of the Government and would be willing to assist the Executive Council with methods to speed up the process in any way they can.
Part of the discussion touched on the joint cooperation programs in the fields of education, institutional strengthening, and administration development. One much anticipated project for the SEI that will soon begin is the expansion of the Government Administration building.
Following the meeting, the delegation was escorted by Commissioner Bruce Zagers to the harbor to see the progress that has been made from the hurricane relief project, totaling 540,000 FLS.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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January 22, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:
Late Thursday, Commissioner’s Zagers and Johnson have left Saba to attend several meetings on Nevis regarding geothermal energy solutions. Starting early Friday they are scheduled to meet with the Honorable Carlisle Powell the Jr. Minister of Natural Resources and Public Utilities on Nevis. The Commissioners will have an information session with Mr. Powell regarding Nevis’ experiences with geothermal energy solutions and West Indies Power. Commissioner of Energy Affairs, Bruce Zagers, stated, “It is important, as neighboring islands, that we foster open communication on similar issues that affects our region”.
A series of deliberations between Friday and Monday is scheduled between the Commissioners and West Indies Power. Planning for a geothermal plant on Saba is going to be the topic of discussion during these meetings. At this point the main discussion point will be license issuance to West Indies Power to start their work on Saba, as well as land issues and a realistic timeline. Commissioner Johnson states, “The Government of Saba embraces the idea of geothermal energy and will work towards meeting that end”.
GEBE’s involvement will also be important to this project as they should be a working partner with West Indies Power here on Saba. It was stressed by Commissioner Zagers that this alternative-energy solution is being aggressively pursued in the best interests of Saba. He hopes that it will not only add to the world-renown stature of Saba as an eco-friendly tourist destination, but also create jobs and boost the local economy.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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Commissioner Zagers and Johnson with Ministry of Justice delegation
January 21, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:
Early this morning the Executive Council met with the Dutch Ministry of Justice at the administration building in The Bottom. A delegation of four arrived at the meeting one of which was Joris Demmink, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice. In attendance were Commissioner Chris Johnson and Commissioner Bruce Zagers. The meeting was chaired by the Acting Lieutenant Governor, Roy Smith.
The Ministry of Justice was curious to know the status of constitutional changes in relevance to the justice system on Saba. Discussions continued with immigration concerns and questions on the working relationship between the local police and the Grand Marchaussee.
Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs, Chris Johnson, commented that the communication with the Ministry of Justice thus far has been very open and informative. Johnson stated that because of this smooth foundation, he is sure that the strong communication with the Ministry will continue through the transition and beyond.
The delegation assured the Executive Council that when it comes to the issue of Justice, the most important areas can be quickly resolved during the implementation stage. Commissioner Zagers expressed that, “petty problems such as drugs and crime on Saba should be easily resolved in a small community like Saba”.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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January 20, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom – Today various department heads of the Island Government of Saba met in the Fire department with the Island Secretary as chairperson to discuss the upcoming year. During the course of the meeting it was clearly elicited that in 2009 we are now directly under the budget agreed upon with the CFT. The CFT benchmarks are expected to be met within a timely manner. During the previous department head meeting it was concluded that, most Departments have been under spending. It was elicited that each department should make viable efforts to, most importantly, not overspend their area of the budget but also to make use of the funds allocated.
In the coming months Government civil servants can expect to have further training opportunities. Previous in 2008, a Dutch language course was instituted for all Island Council/Executive Council members and Executive Assistants within the Government administration. Information Technology training was also introduced in 2008 and there is talk of later building on this foundation within 2009. Pending courses will be in the area of “Coping with stress and change”, French Language for tourism and Census personnel, and upgraded AutoCAD training for the Planning Bureau. At the end of January, all department heads will attend a course given by the Bestuursacademie regarding use for the budget and budget planning on department level. Last but not least, CARICAD will be administering training in Management level courses to all department heads throughout the first half of 2009.
Each month the department heads will be meeting to specifically be updated on the status of the budget and training issues. Before the meeting was closed, each Department head was given the opportunity to ask any questions pertaining to the meeting. Mr. Hemmie van Xanten, the new Head of Department of Education was welcomed to his first Department head meeting.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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New GIS Coordinator with Commissioners Johnson and Zagers
January 19th, 2009 (SGIS) - Starting mid-January, the Island Government of Saba has appointed a new Government Information Services coordinator. Currently known as their IT Systems Administrator, James Wright will take over the responsibilities of acquiring and delivering Government news to the public.
Wright was granted a 6-month contract to jump-start the new GIS initiative laid down by the Executive Council of Saba. “With changing times and modern technology the time has come for Saba to introduce new methods of content delivery to the region”, Wright says. Traditional methods of newspaper articles and e-News postings will continue. However, one new way to release information will be through a regularly updated website with articles, sound bites, and photos. A monthly newsletter is in the making that will keep the Saba community abreast of the strides the current administration is making to improve the Island. Both Commissioner Zagers and Commissioner Johnson both stated that they have faith in Wright and his abilities, given his background in information systems and data processing concepts.
In the coming months, the community can look forward to seeing some new ways of being informed by the local Island Government.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com
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