News item | 09-06-2022 | 16:19
Alexandra van Huffelen, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitization, and the Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning, Hugo de Jonge, will visit Saba, St. Eustatius and Bonaire from 12 to 18 June. The ministers each have their own programme, but they work together during a number of discussions and meetings.
The coalition agreement states that in the coming term of office there will be structurally more money available for the Caribbean Netherlands, EUR 30 million per year from 2023. Ministries are also going to work more emphatically with their responsibilities in the Caribbean Netherlands. In that light, Minister Carola Schouten for Poverty Policy and Minister Dennis Wiersma of Education recently visited the islands.
During her visit, State Secretary Van Huffelen mainly speaks to people who are committed to making life better in the Caribbean Netherlands. “As a cabinet, we have stated very emphatically that we want to pay extra attention to the Caribbean Netherlands. It is especially important in these difficult times worldwide to hear from people what they need most.”
For minister Hugo de Jonge, the journey is all about getting to know each other, during which the minister becomes aware of the problems related to housing and spatial planning. In addition, he will discuss a package of measures to achieve a better housing and living standard on Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius.
Saba
On Saba, discussions are planned with the Island Council, attention is being paid to tackling plastic litter and the preservation of cultural heritage on the island.
St. Eustatius
Restoring democracy, making energy more sustainable and preserving cultural heritage are topics that are discussed on St. Eustatius. The State Secretary and the Minister will also hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday 14 June where everyone can talk to them.
Bonaire
During the visit to Bonaire, the history of slavery, care for nature, contact with young people and opportunities for entrepreneurs are on the agenda.
Aruba
The State Secretary then travels to Aruba. There will be an administrative consultation on Monday 20 June with the Prime Ministers of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten about, among other things, the Temporary Work Organisation.