Parliament and senate approve intervention in Statia

THE HAGUE – The Second and First Chamber unanimously approved the legislation that underpins the Dutch administrative intervention in Statia. State Secretary Raymond Knops travels on Wednesday morning to Statia to explain the decision to the population, politicians and the Island Council.

The law determines that the Island Council will be dismantled and that the commissioners and the acting Lt. Governor will be relieved of their duties. On Wednesday a government commissioner will be appointed who will take care of governance matters.

The intervention follows after a report a committee of wise men published on Monday. The committee found gross neglect of the governance on the island. The administrative situation has serious consequences for the daily life of Statia’s population.

Earlier measures to improve the situation did not have any effect. “This is the most serious measure, but now that everything else has failed this is the only remaining option. The people in Statia deserve better,” Knops said.

The state secretary will inform members of the Executive Council and the Island Council. Afterwards he will address the population in a town hall meeting and introduce the government commissioner. Knops will then travel to St. Maarten to address issues related to the reconstruction of the island after Hurricane Irma.

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