The Governments of St. Eustatius and Saba wish to provide an update regarding the status of the Makana Ferry service and the ongoing discussions surrounding its operational funding under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) arrangement. The partners of this PSO agreement include the governments of St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Kitts and the Makana.

As part of the second phase of the PSO, an amount of $1 million was allocated to support the continuation of the Makana Ferry service for the years 2024 through 2025. This is a reduction of 50% from the previous PSO. During evaluations and negotiations with the Makana, it was determined that the allocated level of funding is not sufficient to sustain the service at its current fare structure, due to rising operational costs. 

In the absence of further subsidy support, Makana has therefore had to make adjustments to their fares as of May 1^st in order to meet these operational expenses. While this change is unfortunate, it reflects the real financial pressures involved in maintaining essential inter-island connectivity.

The island governments of Sint Eustatius and Saba have actively engaged in discussions with the relevant ministries in The Hague to secure additional support, to prevent fare increases and preserve affordability for residents and visitors alike. Despite our concerted lobbying efforts, we regret to inform the public that we were not successful in obtaining the necessary supplemental funding.

During this period of uncertainty, Makana Ferry demonstrated commendable patience and cooperation by maintaining current fare levels up until May 2025, even without confirmation of additional subsidies. We extend our sincere thanks to the Makana team for their continued partnership and understanding as we work toward sustainable, long-term solutions.

We are also aware that there have been delays and cancellations, due to urgent repairs needed to the vessel. The Makana’s overall priority is ensuring the safety of its passengers, which is why this maintenance is crucial to upholding the service. 

Please rest assured that our island governments remain committed to ensuring reliable and affordable sea transportation for our populations. We will continue to actively pursue all available avenues to secure additional funding for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS), the Milton Peters College will be hosting its first “Dutch Summer Camp”. The aim of this summer camp is to help students improve their proficiency in the Dutch language in a fun and creative way.

The first summer camp will be held between June 30, 2025, and July 11, 2025, for current group 8 students who have registered for either the TKL or HAVO/VWO department for the academic year 2025-2026. The camp will be organized at the Milton Peters College. The morning sessions (8:30 am until 11:30 am) will focus on improving Dutch in a fun and playful way: through drama, songs, games, scavenger hunts, reading, and with a focus on the specific language needs of each child and study skills needed for a successful start in high school. The afternoon sessions will be centered around the arts, technical science, sports, and excursions.

The second summer camp will take place between August 11 and 15 and is meant for TKL graduates who will be continuing their high school careers at the HAVO/VWO department. This camp will focus on their specific needs to succeed in HAVO regarding the required level of Dutch, study skills, and research skills. In the afternoons, they will also participate in recreational activities. Both camps will end with a showcase for the parents.

Despite Dutch being one of the two official languages of Sint Maarten, it remains foreign to many individuals, including our youngsters.  Many students therefore struggle to obtain an adequate level in the language, which is needed for nationalization, working in government, the judicial system and for studying in the Netherlands. With specific Dutch as a foreign language strategies, the Milton Peters College wants to show the students that learning the language can be effective and enjoyable.

The Dutch Summer Camps are financed through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) and are therefore completely free of charge. The participants will be provided with a snack, lunch, and beverages.

There are still some spots available for both camps. For questions, please call 548-3511/548-3190 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Ministry (VROMI), in partnership with the World Bank and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), officially launched a two-day sanitation workshop focused on enhancing the Sint Maarten Wastewater Management Project (SWMP), a transformative initiative to initiate the modernization of the island’s wastewater infrastructure towards safeguarding its marine environment and the overall health and quality of life of the people.

The Minister of VROMI, Honorable Patrice Gumbs, opened the session with a strong call to action: “We meet at the interface of sanitation and the sea. “When wastewater is safely managed, both public health and our blue economy flourish; when it is not, both are threatened.

The workshop brings together a range of stakeholders, including local NGOs, community leaders, technical experts, and representatives from key ministries, the World Bank and the NRPB, united by a shared mission to deliver sustainable sanitation solutions and build climate-resilient infrastructure.

The SWMP will contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and represents a concrete step toward implementing global commitments at the local level. Last September, the project secured US $25 million in financing, combining a $10 million grant from the Sint Maarten Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund and $15 million from the Government of Sint Maarten.

Progress is already underway:

• A water quality baseline assessment is underway.
• The design-and-supervision consortium for the wastewater treatment plant and sewerage network expansion is contracted. This group will also carry out the technical, social and environmental assessments needed to ensure a robust and sustainable solution can be tailored for the central part of St. Maarten.

Still, the Minister acknowledged the challenges ahead, including supply chain volatility, high bid costs, and the complexities of connecting individual households to the upgraded sewer network.

“Let’s be practical,” the Minister urged. “Flattening protocols and limiting bureaucracy is key. Our ability to be agile and efficient will determine how far we go.”

The workshop is guided by four core principles:

• ⁠Inclusivity – every household matters.
• Climate resilience – infrastructure must withstand future shocks.
• Evidence-based action – guided by science and field data.
• ⁠Collaboration – breaking down silos across sectors.

In closing, the Minister shared a hopeful vision for the island’s future:

“Picture a child diving off the jetty at Great Bay in 2030, clear goggles, clearer water. That future is the dividend of the choices we make in this very room.”

VROMI reaffirms its full commitment to leading this effort, supported by a dedicated team of wastewater experts.

The President of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization and member of Muhernan Fuerte Bonaire, Davika Bissessar Shaw, accompanied by the leader of Pueblo Progresivo Unido, Mr. James Finies, participates in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) meeting on May 15, 2025. Her attendance marks a critical moment in amplifying the voices of women and girls from Bonaire on the global stage.

This initiative by the Bonaire Human Rights Organization represents a significant step toward advancing the goals of the UN CSW, guided by the 2024 Pact for the Future where Mrs Bissessar Shaw attended last year and the Beijing Declaration’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality and the empowerment and rights of women and girls across all sectors of Bonairean society. BHRO wants to bring global attention to the specific challenges and human rights violations that women and children are facing in Bonaire.

President Bissessar Shaw will join leaders from UN Women and civil society organizations to advocate for the rights of women, children, and indigenous peoples. Bissessar Shaw's participation underscores the urgent need for communities from small islands to be represented in global discussions on gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. Bringing Bonaire’s perspective to the forefront will help shape more inclusive and equitable policies that reflect the lived realities of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

The Bonaire Human Rights Organization remains steadfast in its mission to defend the rights and dignity of all people of Bonaire, with a special focus on those most at risk of exclusion from international discourse.

Her presence at this high-level meeting serves not only as a voice for Bonairean women and girls but also as a powerful reminder that no community—no matter how small—should be left behind. The Bonaire Human Rights Organization calls on the international community to listen, engage, and take meaningful action to uphold the rights of Bonairian women. This moment is not just about participation—it is about transformation.

President of Bonaire Human Rights Organization     

     Davika Bissessar Shaw, Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar