Statia on its way to 2018

On our way to 2018

By Koos Sneek

As I am writing this we are in the final days of 2017. It is therefore the time to look back and evaluate how this year went, the progress we have made as well as the obstacles and setbacks we have met along the way. Although Statia has been in the news in a negative way regularly the past year, there undoubtedly have been also positive developments. The establishment of a new agreement with NuStar has substantially increased the income of government. Though through various reasons, among which the passing of two major hurricanes, the income this year was less than expected, it is anticipated that it will increase in the coming years. The opening of the second phase of the solar park, financed by the Dutch government, has been a development that received recognition worldwide. About 45 percent of the electricity demand on our island is coming now from solar energy, whereby in the daytime the diesel generators can be switched off completely. Not only places this Statia in the frontlines where it comes to the use of renewable energy, but it also keeps the cost for the consumer under control since the production of electricity has become less vulnerable to the always fluctuating price of oil. The announcement that as of next month there will be four times weekly direct flights to Bonaire is also very good news. It will give us an alternative for the use of St. Maarten as gateway to Curacao and Aruba, to Amsterdam and the rest of Europe, to Columbia for our medical referrals and even to the USA. This comes on top of the recently started ferry service to St. Kitts and Saba by the Edge. The Dutch government subsidizes both developments. In the meantime, in the private sector there is still the hotel development ongoing at the bay front, while soon also a hotel will be constructed in the area of Core-Core. And last but not least, one can also see positive developments in the area of agriculture, with the “Made in Statia” project. Again, this project is subsidized by The Netherlands.

The PLP/Merkman coalition enters its final full year in government. The first three years they have accomplished very little of their extensive campaign promises. There is still no new hospital, no race track, no business center, and no new housing project. Also, the infrastructure and especially our roads are in an increasingly deplorable state. The infamous 6 million for the roads, made available by The Netherlands to make a start with the road repairs, is collecting dust somewhere in a safe at the ministry. While the coalition is spending much time, tax payer’s money and energy on their impossible dream for more autonomy they are neglecting the interests of the people such as providing the basic needs for a good functioning community. Although the island recently received the approval of the 2018 budget, prior financial supervision will remain in effect throughout the entire year 2018. While the budget appears balanced on paper, the figures it is based upon cannot be verified on their accuracy and legality according to the CFT and the minister. This is caused by a since 2014 rapidly deteriorating financial administration.

And then we got Irma. The hurricane caused some serious damage on our island. But in hindsight this may have come as a blessing in disguise. Although on Statia more than a hundred buildings sustained damage, it was the extensive damage on St. Maarten that showed our dependency on this island to survive. This not only became clear to us Statians, but also in The Hague they have realized this. On all political levels one has become aware of our situation and that something needs be done about this dependency. This has led to the earlier mentioned airlift to Bonaire and the ferry services to St. Kitts and Saba which largely improves the accessibility of the island. Also close to 50 million dollars are now available to restructure and repair the damage and to make the island more resilient and hurricane resistant. About 10 million alone will be spent on protection of the cliffs at Lower Town and the one at the end of the airport runway.

The change of the constitution which went into effect earlier this year strengthens our position within the country of the Netherlands but also leaves the way open for alternative constitutional options whereby our right of self-determination remains unchanged. The change also gives us the right to vote in the First Chamber elections, for the first time in 2019.

A start has been made with the study into the social minimum. This study is extremely important for the establishment of the within the Netherlands acceptable level of services. This is something which has been agreed since before 10-10-10 and we have been asking for ever since. With the outcome of this study as the basis we can finally set out a path that will lead to the eradication of poverty and we will get rid of the widespread feeling of not being treated equally compared to the people in the European part of The Netherlands.

My wish for 2018 is that the communications and relations between the national government and our local government will improve and become more professional with the goal in mind to improve the lives of the people of Statia. I sincerely wish that more emphasis is being placed on those matters that can benefit the people rather than on a strife for a change in constitutional status and the continuous battle with The Hague about this.

My third wish is that the moneys that have become available will be used wisely and will contribute to the strengthening of our economy, the improvement of our infrastructure especially our roads, and the reduction of poverty. Together and with the helping hand offered by the national government we will be able to achieve this.

Rest me, to wish all the residents of Statia, as well as the Statians who are living abroad, a healthy and prosperous 2018!

Koos Sneek
DP Statia

Source: Article by Koos Sneek and photo of Fort Concordia in St. Eustatius taken from StatiaNews.