Commissioner for Bonaire, Sint

Eustatius and Saba

H.G.J. Kamp

Kralendijk, August 3, 2010

Progress report Ten weeks to go

On December 7th 2009, I submitted my first progress report “Halverwege”

(“Halfway”). With the date of October 10th 2010 approaching on which the
beautiful islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will become part of The
Netherlands, I am presenting you my second progress report “Nog tien
weken” (Ten weeks to go).

I hope that this progress report will show that in the offices of the Dutch
central government on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba great effort is put in
by the “kwartiermakers” of the Ministries, the staff of the RSC and the
members of my staff. We are doing so with the conviction that the European
Netherlands and “our” three Caribbean islands can be of added value for
each other.

It is with great pleasure that I would like to express my appreciation for the
government officials and the civil servants of the three islands.
Representatives of all the Dutch Departments are working on Bonaire, Sint
Eustatius and Saba on a total of 96 projects, with the ambition to realize
those within a short period of time. This puts unprecedented pressure on
those who carry the political and public responsibility on the islands. Their
cooperation and commitment are, after all, pivotal for the success of these
projects. Nevertheless, we are constantly met in a constructive manner.

Division of Tasks

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In April 2010 proved possible to reach an agreement with the Executive
Council of Bonaire regarding the division of government tasks between the
Island Government and the Netherlands and regarding some other issues.
This was reflected in a policy agreement. The agreements reached with
Bonaire concerning the division of tasks are in line with the agreements that
were reached before with the Executive Councils of Sint Eustatius and Saba.

Legislation
It was a good thing that the fall of the Cabinet in February 2010 did not
cause delays in the effecting of the laws for the constitutional reform of the
Netherlands Antilles. You were given consent by the Lower and Upper
House (Tweede en Eerste Kamer) for the organic BES laws and the
Consensus Kingdom Acts. After the summer recess still, several specific
laws will be handled by Parliament.
Time is becoming of the essence since it is the intention that these laws enter
into force on January 1, 2011. This applies specifically to the fiscal
legislation. Public island officials, entrepreneurs and individuals have
expressed their concerns to me regarding the current lack of clarity in the
fiscal field. Five months before the end of the year, it is unknown which
fiscal regulations will have to be taken into account in the new year. I share
these concerns and hope that the required clarity can be given soon.

RSC
The set up of the Regional Service Center, the organization of the Dutch
government on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, is in full swing. The RSC
renders services to Dutch departments in the fields of personnel, finance,
ICT, facilities (including housing) and communication to the Dutch
Departments. After all, considering the small scale of the three islands it is
not efficient to implement these tasks separately per Ministry.
The point of departure is that all departments utilize the RSC and that the
costs will be passed on. Up till January 1st 2011, the generic costs will be for
the account of the Ministry of The Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK).
After that, costs will be passed on based on an allocation formula. Based on
a product and service catalogue, the RSC will reach service level agreements
with the Departments.
The RSC will be directed by BZK, while the other Ministries – associated in
a council of principals – will have an advising role.

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The RSC will become the employer of all Kingdom civil servants on the
islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. In total this covers about 600
full-time placements for which the Departments have prepared the so- called
organization and staff establishment reports. The unions have assented to
these reports and the departments have been working on the further
execution.
From the country Netherlands Antilles and the three islands about 400 civil
servants will be transferring, who will be appointed as BES civil servants of
the RSC as per October 10, 2010.
A recruitment campaign has been started to fill the remaining (circa 200)
vacant positions also as per transition date. The recruitment of new staff is
especially aimed at individuals who reside in the Netherlands Antilles or
were born here and currently live in the Netherlands. It has become evident
that it’s not easy to find suitable candidates for the vacant positions, albeit
because the build-up of the Dutch government should not be at the expense
of the staffing of the island governments.

The bigger departmental units will get and/or keep their own housing on the
three islands. One can think of e.g. the tax authority, police, fire department
and customs. Smaller departmental units will most likely be accommodated
in the RSC – offices. This will be the case particularly on Sint Eustatius and
Saba. On Bonaire the RSC office space is too small to accommodate all staff
members. With the rental of additional space, the required space has been
provided for the current year. This summer still, the mid-term housing needs
and requirements and how to best address these will be determined.

On Sint Eustatius the RSC office capacity will be expanded to 18

workstations. Since the current office is for temporary purposes, the
Governmental Buildings Agency (Rijksgebouwendienst) is looking into long
term options.
On Saba recently, a new building has become available with a total of 15
workstations, the Antique Inn. This characteristic building will – hopefully –
still be festively inaugurated by you this month (August).

Communication
Within the RSC staff a communication team of 4 individuals has recently
started under management of a “kwartiermaker”. The “kwartiermaker” has

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been temporarily posted by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and
Water Management (Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat – V&W-), the
remaining workers have been locally recruited. The latter enables the RSC to
communicate with knowledge and understanding of the local target groups.
The team coordinates the various communications efforts on the three
islands. The objective is to inform the island residents about the upcoming
changes and to establish a correct and coherent image of the Dutch
government. The media will be actively approached and through purchase of
editorial space in papers and on radio, television and cable news (Saba) the
public will be informed.
Communication from the RSC is neutral in tone and local in nature (per
island), in which case where possible cooperation with third parties will be
pursued.

During the last few months, information sessions, that were broadcasted
directly via radio and tv, were regularly organized for the people of the three
islands. Upon request of entrepreneurs, I have also organized information
sessions for their personnel. Brochures on specific subject matters have been
made and distributed. Apart from that, door-to-door information booklets
were distributed. All communication took place in Dutch, Papiamentu and
English.

Representative of the Kingdom

As per transition date the temporary position of Commissioner for Bonaire,
Sint Eustatius and Saba will, based on the “Wet openbare lichamen Bonaire,
Sint Eustatius en Saba” (The law on public entities Bonaire, Sint Eustatius
and Saba) (WolBES), transition into the position of Representative of the
Kingdom for the public entities Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The
Kingdom Representative constitutes the governmental link between Dutch
Government and the public entities and is a governmental body with legal
responsibilities that have been partially mentioned in the WolBES.

He stimulates the collaboration between the kingdom civil servants of the

various Departments responsible for the assessment of the decisions made
by public entities, among others concerning the appointment, suspension and
dismissal of the island civil servants. Annulment of decrees is executed by
the Minister of BZK, upon recommendation of the Kingdom Representative.

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Furthermore, some of the island ordinances will have to be approved by the
Kingdom Representative before entering into force. In case of negligence of
responsibilities the Kingdom Representative may substitute the Executive
Council or Lieutenant Governor.

Except for those responsibilities reserved for the Minister of BZK, the
Kingdom Representative will become the manager of the new police corps
and the new fire brigade of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. In case of
calamity and crisis management, the Kingdom Representative is given a
coordinating role in the relief effort and can request assistance from the
police or military.

In order to be able to execute these tasks too, the staffing for the support of
the Kingdom Representative will consist of one secretary and four policy
officials. In relation to my current staff this entails an expansion with two
policy officials. For the time being the Kingdom Representative and his staff
will remain housed in the same building as the RSC, but are independently
positioned though. He will make use of the RSC services for the business
and executive operations.

Just like in my first progress report, I can inform you that the collaboration
with the Directorate of Kingdom Affairs has progressed smoothly. Exchange
of information and coordination take place almost on a daily basis. The same
exchange of information and coordination occurs – albeit less frequently –
with other BZK units, the Financial Supervision Board and the Dutch
Representative in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. Anticipating on the
transition date, the responsibilities of the latter regarding BZK-collaboration
programs on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba have already been transferred
to me.

Bookmark
Hereinafter I will give you the current status per Ministry. Beforehand I will
elaborate on a number of subject matters that may have your special
attention.

Free benefits

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The level of the free benefits to the three public entities has been discussed
with the three Executive Councils. The calculations used are based on the
island budgets for the year 2009. During these discussions, the islands
among others pointed out that no or else insufficient expenses were budgeted
for the necessary maintenance of capital goods. As a reaction it was
promised to look into the possibility of the Netherlands making extra
financial means available for this purpose. As conditions set forward it was
mentioned that good long term maintenance plans should be in place and
that the need for additional funds must also reflect from the budget reviews
of the three islands.

Furthermore, during the discussions on the free benefits it was mentioned by

the islands that at shifting of the budgets, based on the agreed upon
assignment of tasks, some inadequacies may have occurred. The review of
the budgets also aims to provide clarity on this matter

This review will cover expenses as well as income that currently are not or
not sufficiently processed in the budget, as well as expenses and income that
in time will not or will not in the same measure belong in the budget any
more. The aim is to finalize the activities in September. After discussing the
draft report with the Executive Councils, the report will presented to you.

Abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage

By means of amendment by the Lower House it has been decided to also
introduce the Dutch legislation on abortion, euthanasia and marriage
between individuals of the same sex shortly – within one c.q. two years after
the transition date – on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. A transition period
of five years was proposed by the government, as was also discussed with
the island governments. The island governments have clearly indicated that
they consider the amendment a deviation from agreements reached on
delicate issues.

At the beginning of July the Director of Kingdom Affairs and I consulted

with the Executive Councils, at which time factual information was
exchanged and the options of careful implementation were examined. To
this end various proposals were discussed, like conducting baseline studies

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of the current practice, consulting with the professionals in the field on the
islands and the engagement of so-called focus groups. These proposals will
be further outlined after which implementation will be executed in close
consultation with the Executive Councils.

Waste water purification on Bonaire

The Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (Ministerie
van Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieubeheer- VROM) has
– after decision making by the Bonaire Executive Council – ordered the
construction, still this year, of a temporary waste water purification system.
The waste waters from the hotels in the coastal area will be delivered by
vacuum trucks. The purification will then take place by aerating and by
means of active silt, at which an extra phase has been built in to decrease the
level of nitrogen. The purified water will be reused for the cultivation of fast
growing feed crops for goats.
The plan for the temporary waste water purification system has been
prepared by Bonaire and will be financed by the Ministries of BZK and
VROM. The installation will become island property and will be managed
by the Water and Electricity Company (Water en Electriciteitsbedrijf -WEB)
in Bonaire.

With the temporary waste water purification system we can bridge the
period till the inauguration of a still to be installed sewage system in the
coastal area and a still to be built permanent sewage water purification
installation (rzi). The capacity of this rzi – which will be financed by the EU
and the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management
(Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat - V en W) – will be double that of the
temporary installation. The available funds are insufficient to link all
Bonaire neighborhoods but the island government has indicated it will use
European grants to be able to link some additional neighborhoods.
The Amsterdam Foundation “Werel Waternet” (Water Board of Amstel,
Gooi and Vecht and the municipality of Amsterdam) will support the WEB
with the set up of a management organization for the rzi and the preparation
of cost and rate calculations. V&W and VROM will facilitate Bonaire with
the set up of a project organization for the regulation, monitoring and
communication.

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Ministry of Finance

Tax Authority
The organization of the BES Tax Authority includes 92 full time placements
including the 44 full time equivalents from customs. The department has
managed to eliminate the existing (heavy) backlogs in levy, inspection and
collection of taxes and to implement efficiency improvements. The staff is
working and has worked hard to have the organization and automation up to
speed by transition date. Possibilities of collaboration with the island
organizations have been explored and utilized.
On Sint Eustatius and Saba, offices have been opened and staff recruited and
trained. On Bonaire a relatively large scale central new building is being
realized. On each island facilities are maintained or created and
improvements have been implemented at the airports for customs.
From the transition date till January 1st 2011, the “kwartiermaker” will act as
the deputy Head of the BES Tax Authority, after which he will be succeeded
by a to be (locally) recruited department Head.

The Tax Authority on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba faced a big challenge
and has handled this in an admirable manner. For this I have expressed my
appreciation to the management of the department. At said occasion I have
also expressed my gratitude for the general support the Tax Authority has
given to the set up of the RSC.

As mentioned before, the delayed political decision making about the new
fiscal regime for the BES islands poses a risk. Apart from the fact that the
requested clarity cannot be provided to citizens and entrepreneurs, time is
becoming of the essence for the adjustment of the work processes and
automation.

Introduction of the dollar

Upon request of the Ministry of Finance, the Dutch Central Bank (de
Nederlandsche Bank -DNB) will organize the transition to the dollar as legal
currency per January 1, 2011. In the meantime, the consultation with the
banks has led to the expectation that they will be able to adapt their
automated systems on time. To also enable the so-called cash transition to go

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smoothly, a “dollar support group” has been formed. For this purpose, an
exchange scenario has been worked out, under management of the DNB,
between the governments, utility companies, entrepreneurs and banks and
implementation agreements have been made.

To avoid unjustified price hikes – the responsibility of the island

governments – the Dutch Consumers’ Association (de Nederlandse
Consumentenbond) has set up a “dollar monitor” and will instruct the
association staff on the islands on the application thereof. The business
community itself will introduce a “fair pricing code”. The participating
entrepreneurs promise not to increase their prices in connection with the
introduction of the dollar and will also make this known to their clients.
The island government of Bonaire, in the meantime, has issued a double
pricing ordinance enabling consumers to monitor the price developments in
the months around January 1st 2011. Saba and Sint Eustatius will also issue
such an ordinance.

Ministry of Economic Affairs

Energy
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has made arrangements with Bonaire
about the preparation of a plan for the improvement of the power grid and
the contribution for the purpose of a strategic oil reserve on the island. On
the latter consultations are still being held with Sint Eustatius and Saba.

In connection with the power supply on these two islands an investigation

has been conducted upon instruction of the Ministry of Economic Affairs –
and upon request of the island governments of Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius
and Saba- on the alleged cross-subsidizing within power company GEBE.
Based on the results of this investigation, the three island councils involved
and GEBE can commence result oriented consultation. In line with this
investigation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has offered to help in
obtaining clarity (consensus) about the property relationships within GEBE.

Furthermore, the Ministry has made commitments on the execution of

research on the practical possibilities of generation of geothermal energy

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(Saba) and the execution of a feasibility study on the placing of a hurricane
proof wind turbine (Sint Eustatius).

Market mechanism
The intended research on the market mechanism on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius
and Saba will concentrate on the structural characteristics that form the basis
of the pricing. On the mid-term these findings will be linked to the data the
CBS is currently gathering in connection with the price level measurement
on the islands.

The CBS in the Netherlands has taken the necessary steps to take over the
tasks of the CBS of the Netherlands Antilles (in adjusted form) and the
current CBS – staff in Bonaire per transition date.

Upon initiative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, a plan has been

prepared to upgrade and modernize the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce, set
up a joint Chamber of Commerce for Sint Eustatius and Saba and update the
Commercial Registry on the three islands. It is the intention that the
Chambers of Commerce will give information on entrepreneurship and
innovation and become a primary subsidy counter for the Economic Affairs
policy instruments for (international) business and innovation. The
Chambers will also help mobilize local knowledge for innovative
entrepreneurs and promote cooperation between small and medium sized
businesses.

The Ministry has finalized the consultation with the Executive Councils on
the BES Law on the establishment of companies. After the transition,
decisions on applications by entrepreneurs or businesses for a business
license can only be made, based on economic grounds.

With regard to telecommunications, Economic Affairs had research

conducted and agreements will be made on the continuity of inspection,
supervision and policy activities. On the matter of mail delivery, the
Ministry of Economic Affairs also had research done and agreements will be

10
made on the concession for mail delivery on the three islands after October
10th.

After a baseline study of the meteorological infrastructure is conducted, the

necessary agreements will be made with the Curacao Weights and Measures
Agency (IJkwezen) about continuation of their activities on Bonaire, Sint
Eustatius and Saba after the transition. In time, training of meteorological
staff and the provision of meteorological equipment may follow.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs will procure that the tourism boards of
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba receive support to obtain insight in the
developments on the Dutch vacation market, the further image improvement
of the islands and the development of a strategic plan.

Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM)

The Ministry of VROM has strongly simplified the legislation on

construction, living, spatial planning and environmental management and
adjusted it to the BES –islands. The result – the draft-legislative proposal
VROM BES – has been presented to the Executive Councils for reaction.
This law also offers the basis for the drafting of a BES – Construction
Decree. For the realization of this governmental decree (Algemene
Maatregel van Bestuur - AMvB) the island governments, departments for
construction and residence inspection and the local architects and contractors
will be consulted. The intention is to have the AMvB enter into force by mid
2011.

The housing corporation Woonlinie from Zaltbommel, is making an effort to

realize construction projects on Sint Eustatius and Saba, in cooperation with
the local housing corporations and Executive Councils. Woonlinie is
prepared to cover part of the financing. Besides, on Saba additional Dutch
subsidy funds (SEI) are applied. Woonlinie is also prepared to post staff
members for a couple of months at its counterpart corporations on the
islands to support the organizational development and management. For
various reasons, concrete results have not yet been realized.

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As mentioned in my first progress report, the local housing corporation on
Bonaire, FCB, rejected the offer of the (big) Dutch housing corporation
Vestia last year. In June 2010 FCB signed a collaboration agreement with
housing corporation Aert Swaens from Veldhoven. In Bonaire there are also
Dutch subsidy funds (SEI) for social housing available. Up till now, concrete
results have not been realized on Bonaire either.

From the perspective of public housing, it is important that the social rental
sector remain available for low income individuals on the islands. The tool
that could serve this purpose would be a housing ordinance. In the proposed
VROM-BES-law a basis for this has been included. A housing ordinance on
islands like Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba is a matter of a tailor made
approach, tailored to the local circumstances and possibilities. VROM
(WWI) has found the former director of the Stichting Experimenten
Volkshuisvesting willing to advise, if desired, on the contents of a suitable
housing ordinance on one or more of the three islands. If the local
governments indicate they would appreciate such advice, VROM will hire
him.

Both Bonaire and Sint Eustatius are preparing a spatial planning

development plan (zoning plan) with Dutch subsidy funds.
Bonaire indicated that the plan aims to safeguard the values, qualities and
identity of Bonaire and to incorporate the new developments in the fields of
living, working and recreation on Bonaire in a positive way. For the
purposes of the spatial planning development plan, Bonaire previously had
an island master plan prepared. Subsequently a strategic environmental
evaluation was done in which the environmental effects of the new
developments were described.
The Executive Council wants to involve the people of the island in the
spatial development plan –that has been brought to procedure in the
meantime-. In that respect information was given, two hearings were
recently held and interested parties were given the opportunity to react in
writing on the plan. The intention is to adopt the spatial development plan,
whether adjusted or not, still before the transition date.

Prior to the spatial development plan, the Executive Council of Sint

Eustatius had a strategic plan prepared, on which interested citizens and

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businesses reacted. The next step, in this case also, is to have a spatial
development plan prepared by the same Dutch firm that prepared the
Bonaire spatial development plan. The intention is to have this plan enter
into force at the latest by December 9, 2010, the date on which the term of
the aforementioned preparation decree expires.

On Saba recently the Urban Development and Planning Ordinance was

discussed by the Island Council. This ordinance is the basis for the drafting
of a preparation decree. After this, the process to make a development plan
will be started. Such a plan is also of importance to Saba, but because
construction costs are high on this island – in part due to of the difficult
terrain- regulation is less urgent than on the other two islands.

Together with the island governments of Sint Eustatius and Saba, the
VROM has sought possibilities to improve the processing of waste products
on the islands. Both islands are working with Dutch and – in the case of
Saba – European subsidies towards the clean-up of the existing wastelands,
the separation of waste products and the transportation of part of the waste to
the Netherlands via Sint Maarten.

On Sint Eustatius the construction of a potable water grid has been tendered.
Before the end of the year, the works shall begin.

The “kwartiermaker”/ inspector of the Ministry of VROM has been

approached, on behalf of the Bonaire Executive Council, for the position of
interim-director supervision and enforcement. The public system in Bonaire
is being reorganized and the Executive Council will recruit transition
managers for the set up of the new to be established directorates. The hiring
of the “kwartiermaker” by Bonaire could be of added value for both parties.
E.g. I imagine the joint preparation of enforcement programs and trajectories
for education, schooling and training. As a result of this collaboration an
effective and efficient execution in the fields of supervision and enforcement
can be realized, fitting the scale of Bonaire.

Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food quality

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As a co-initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
(Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur and Voedselkwaliteit- LNV) – assisted
herewith by the IMARES institute of the University of Wageningen- two
conferences were held in Bonaire in December 2009 and June 2010 as a
preparation of a management plan for the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
This plan will be aimed at the conservation of the rich marine biodiversity
and sustainable fishery. Special attention will be given to the Saba Bank
while pursuing the introduction of a complete anchor ban.
The Ministry of V & W in collaboration with the Coast Guard is taking
preparatory measures for the management of the EEZ. It is the intention that
these activities also be executed in part by the islands.

Upon request of LNV, IMARES on Bonaire in collaboration with the

environmental conservation organization STINAPA and the island agency
for spatial planning and management (DROB) has researched the threats to
the Lac Cai, a unique natural area with mangroves, see weed and coral
reefs. Also based on research data, an action plan will be prepared.

Ministry of Defense

Since the year 2005, The Royal Netherlands Military Constabulary (De
Koninklijke Marechaussee – KMar) supports customs at the Bonaire airport
and since the year 2009 the police on the three islands.
Starting from the transition date the Caribbean brigade unit BES-islands of
the KMar, will be responsible for the border control. This department will
mostly be manned with local staff and complemented with KMar-military
staff. With this personnel mix and an extensive schooling- and training
program, the Military Constabulary wants to bring the quality of the border
control to a higher level and subsequently maintain this level. Collaboration
with customs will be intensive to achieve as efficient a border crossing as
possible.

Ministry of Youth and Family

For each of the three islands a tailor made plan has been made including the
elements of a Youth and Family Center, possibilities for positive leisure
activities, youth care and youth protection. During the year 23 additional

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staff members, as much as possible with an Antillean background, were
recruited for the implementation of the plans.

As per transition date, the three Courts of Guardiansip (Voogdijraden) on the

BES-islands will be clustered to one Court of Guardianship and housed at
the RSC. To be able to execute the legal responsibilities properly, the
staffing of the Court of Guardianship will be expanded and the work
processes will be professionalized.

In the meantime, on both Saba and Sint Eustatius a Youth and Family Center
has been opened, in which (due to the small scale) almost all youth functions
are combined. Apart from serving as a workstation for the staff, the centers
also serve as living room type walk-in facilities where parents and
youngsters can come with their questions. The next step is to further develop
and anchor the services in the communities. Currently, on Bonaire as well a
Youth and Family Center is being developed in cooperation with the island
government for which a suitable building has become available. Four local
organizations will cluster their services there under management of an
independent project manager.

In order to further promote positive leisure activities, Young Bonaire

Foundation has received a grant to further develop both the location and the
range of after school activities offered. On Sint Eustatius and Saba too,
Youth and Family is investing in the expansion of the options for positive
leisure activities.

The Bonaire youth care is housed in one building together with Guia di
Famia Bonaire. In the meantime, an ambulant help providing team is
operational and a first building has been rented for the accommodation of a
family substitution home. The recruitment of the pedagogic staff and family
home parents has been started up.

To work from one methodology on the three islands, “Triple P” will be

implemented everywhere, an internationally proven effective approach to
educational support.

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Bonaire will receive a direct labor market impulse by enabling 20 local
youth workers to further school themselves through dual learning towards
HBO-level in social – pedagogic help services. This project will be executed
by the Christelijke Hoogeschool Ede.

Ministry of Justice
Due to the temporary investment stop on Bonaire, the Custodial Institutions
Service (Dienst Justitiele Inrichtingen – DJI) has experienced heavy delays.
Since April 2010, firm efforts have been made to work off the back log as
much as possible and to finalize the capacity increase of the existing House
of Detention (Huis van Bewaring) still around the transition date. During
this expansion, capacity shall be realized for detainees as well.
The local recruitment, selection and training of additional staff is in full
swing. However, it is expected that it will still be necessary to send a fifth
shift of DJI-staff from the Netherlands to Bonaire this year.

In the meantime, the Government Buildings Agency and DJI have already
taken the preparatory measures for the new to be built penitentiary facilities
on Bonaire and Sint Eustatius. According to current insight, these will be
realized at the earliest in the course of 2013.

The take-over by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (Immigratie-

en Naturalisatiedienst – IND) of the responsibilities concerning the
admittance of individuals on the island, is expected to go smoothly. The IND
has prepared a comprehensive training program for the staff that will transfer
with that responsibility
In the new situation, the IND will make the decisions regarding admittance
and expulsion on behalf of the Dutch Minister of Justice. Aliens need to
apply for an authorization for temporary residence (MVV) in their own
country. The number of residence objectives for which admittance is
requested, has been increased.

Re-socialization responsibilities are currently executed only in Bonaire and

by the Bonaire Probation and Justiciable care Foundation (Stichting
Reclassering and Justitiabelenzorg - SRJB). In the past few years this
foundation was supported by the Netherlands Probation and After-Care

16
Foundation (Stichting Reclassering Nederland -SRN) during an
improvement process. With 2,5 full time placements the re-socialization
efforts are provided for the execution of advice, guidance, supervision and
the execution of community service orders. In part, for the purpose of, the
expansion of the activities to Sint Eustatius and Saba, the articles of
incorporation and the management structure of the SRJB are currently being
reviewed and a cooperation covenant with the SRN is being prepared. For
the execution of the re-socialization tasks on these islands a part time staff
member will be recruited.

Upon request of the Netherlands, the Court has already been expressly
present on the BES-islands. In principle, cases proceeding from Bonaire will
be heard in Bonaire. On Statia and Saba as well, a major part of the cases
form these islands is handled there. For Bonaire, the Joint Court has chosen
to continually station a judge from Curaçao for a period of one year. If
necessary, other judges will be flown in.

As per transition date the BES Public Prosecution Department (Openbaar

Ministerie BES) will come into being. Together with the Curaçao and Sint
Maarten Public Prosecutor Offices, the BES will have one common Public
Prosecutor. The intention is to have the Bonaire Public Prosecution
Department, reinforced with a district attorney and two public prosecutor
office’s secretaries at the latest by January 1, 2011.
On behalf of Sint Eustatius and Saba 0,5 full time equivalent district attorney
will be applied, with post Sint Maarten. This official will be present bon the
two islands on a weekly basis.
On behalf of the penal chain on the three islands, a forensic adviser has been
stationed on Bonaire.

Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations

Police
On July 1st 2010 a new police chief has started at the Bonaire Police Corps,
who will also act as the “kwartiermaker” for the to be established BES
Police corps. Because four of the six members of the Bonaire management
team are making use of the “VUT-regeling”, temporary reinforcement of the
corps management is necessary. Only then, the police chief will be able to
concentrate on the build-up of a new corps. With support of the RSC a

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regional recruitment campaign for the police was started at the beginning of
July. After completion of the selection process it will be clear to what
measure the corps may still be understaffed. It is expected that temporary
support from the Netherlands will be required for the new corps in order to
guarantee public order and safety.

Fire Department
The recruitment of a general Head for the new BES Fire Departments has
been started.
In anticipating of the transition date, the fire brigades of Bonaire and Sint
Eustatius have enabled their staff to acquire the required aircraft firefighting
diploma.
The Governments Buildings Agency has been requested to take care of the
management and maintenance of the fire department buildings on the three
islands. For Bonaire the procedure has been started to realize a new fire
department building which will possibly be ready in 2012. It is being
researched if a temporary provision is required in the interim.
At the same time a procedure has been started for Bonaire for the purchase
of a new crash tender. In this case the Ministry of Defense is being consulted
on the possibility of a temporary provision from the Netherlands.

The new multi disciplinary communications rooms for police, fire

department and ambulance is under development. On Bonaire an extra
broadcast installation has been placed for better connection with the
emergency services. On Bonaire and Sint Eustatius new communications
room equipment has been installed. It is expected that this equipment can be
installed on Saba soon. The recruitment of communications room staff has
been started.

Government
The “kwartiermaker” government supports the island governments with the
implementation of the WolBES, the FinBes and the Elections Act (Kieswet).
Based on the model fiscal ordinances drafted (and explained) by the VNG,
the Island Councils can start drafting the ordinances for the island taxes they
wish to introduce. For the levy and collection of these taxes, completely
updated registries are required of the objects (buildings and installations)

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and subjects (individuals) on the islands. The work necessary for this has
been done for the account of BZK and is currently in a finalizing phase.

The island governments have already requested the VNG for model
ordinances on the other subject matters for which they need to draft
ordinances based on the WolBES. Consultations are taking place with the
island governments about other supporting activities on behalf of the
implementation of namely the WolBES.

At the establishment of the new public entities, the ceremonial aspects are
also of importance. Bonaire and Sint Eustatius have decided to preserve their
current island coats of arms in the new constellation. Saba is expected to
make a similar decision shortly. The Netherlands will handle the production
of the chains of office for the Lieutenant Governors. Furthermore, new ID-
cards will be introduced as per transition date.

Pensions
On February 17th the Foundation BES Pension fund (Stichting BES
Pensioenfonds) was founded. As per transition date, the fund will, as a
branch pension fund, start executing the pension plans of the employees in
the branches of government, education, care and youth and family on
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The preparations are well under way and
good progress has been booked. Pension and VUT-plans (Early Retirement
Plans) have been agreed upon with the unions. For the pensions it has been
agreed that a shift will be made from an end wage scheme to a middle wage
scheme and that wage indexation will be conditional. The content of the
pension plan will be worked out in pension scheme rules and regulations.
The existing VUT-plan (Easly Retirement Plan) has been abolished after
which a limited and brief transition right has been agreed upon.

For the execution of the pension scheme the Dutch company Syntrus
Achmea has been chosen. The required rules and regulations have been and
/or are currently being developed. The fund is consulting with the DNB
regarding the manner in which compliance with this supervisory body’s
requirements can be achieved. Consultation with the APNA will have to lead
to a division of assets in which case the pension obligations and assets of

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this fund shall be divided between the new entities Curaçao, Sint Maarten
and the BES-islands..

On Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba a great number of information sessions

have been held, informing the future participants in the pension fund about
the new pension plan.

Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management

Per transition date the Dutch system following the minimum international
safety norms of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will
be introduced for the airports of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. A master
plan has been prepared to further develop the Bonaire airport and have it
comply with these ICAO-norms. Minister Eurlings has given the green light
to start the renovations of this airport’s runway for the account of the V &
W. It is expected that the to be selected contractor will start the works
around January 1, 2011.
Also for the airports of Sint Eustatius and Saba, master plans are being
prepared, of which the first draft-versions are already completed.

For the continuity of the air traffic and meteorological service for Bonaire,
Sint Eustatius and Saba the Ministry is negotiating with the Antillean
departments NAATC and MDNA & A. The latter will be appointed to
provide the meteorological and seismological services on the three islands.
In order to realize this, regulation is being developed and collaboration
agreements will be established with the KNMI. In this respect further
arrangements will be made about the hurricane prediction and the
implementation of a hurricane monitoring system.

In view of the continuity of the aerial access of Sint Eustatius and Saba a
market analysis has been conducted. For this purpose the effects of the
dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles on the airline Winair are also
examined.

For the execution of the inspections of foreign ships and the supervision of
the local shipping, four shipping inspectors will be appointed. The local

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recruitment of three inspectors is almost completed. They will be trained in
the Netherlands and will start after the transition date on Bonaire and Sint
Eustatius. The fourth position will be filled on a rotation basis by an
experienced shipping inspector of V&W.

Sint Eustatius and Saba have chosen to use a big part of the available SEI-
funds for the maintenance of and some adjustments to the seaports. The
Ministry of V&W assists herewith through the “kwartiermaker” and the
directorates in The Hague. The preparations for the execution of the works
will be completed by the islands in collaboration with USONA. The public
tender for the port of Saba already took place.

The analysis by Royal Haskoning on the best location for a new freight port
in Bonaire has been finalized. The actual construction of the port will require
an amount of about 15 million Euro.

The transportation of hazardous materials over land has been analyzed.

Based on that, suitable regulation is now being prepared. For the short term,
trainings and awareness campaigns are being prepared.

By experts of the municipality of Breda, supported by V&W, a master plan

traffic safety is being prepared for Bonaire.

Ministry of Education, Culture and Science

Education improvement program

Agreements have been made with the island representatives about the points
of departure for an improvement plan for education. The Netherlands has
incidentally made extra funds available, with which a number of
improvement actions could already be realized in 2009 and
The challenges in the educational field are big. Test results on reading and
math show that students in the lower grades (groups 3 and 4) of the
“funderend onderwijs” Foundation Based Education schools were pretty
close to the Dutch level, but that the higher grades (groups 7 and 8) still are

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well behind on this level. The reason is that the higher grades had arrears
that needed to be worked off.

The inspection report that was published in 2008, estimated the education
back log on math at the FO-schools of the BES-islands, in comparison with
the Netherlands, on a minimum of three school years. In the meantime one
school year has passed and at many schools the arrears still are about a year
and a half to two years. This means these schools have caught up on about
half of the arrears in one year’s time.

The results on the tests taken at the three schools of secondary education
(VO) have decreased, not painting a reassuring picture of the measure in
which students experience a favorable development. For most subject
matters, the schools have not yet been able to catch up on the arrears.

In addition to the free school books for the VO and secondary vocational
education (secundair beroepsonderwijs – SBO), the schools for FO, VO and
SBO were allowed to purchase remedial material for reading and math. This
material was applied by the schools to catch up on the arrears. At the same
time the schools were provided with additional course materials, such as
course methods, reading books, dictionaries and land maps.

For the re-enforcement of the quality of the student care, two teachers of
each school on the three islands have followed a specialized training as
internal guidance counselor. A separate provision will be created for the
necessary specialized expertise outside the schools: an expertise center for
educational care. On each of the three islands a process manager has been
hired with the instruction to establish and set up an expertise center, in
cooperation with Youth and Family.

Upon request of the Ministry, the National Pedagogic Centers (Landelijke

Pedagogische Centra) advise the schools on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
about the continued development of their school development plans. In these
plans, the schools include the ways in which they would like to improve the
quality of education in the coming years. Beside an advice on the necessary
improvement actions, the education demands that the school boards and

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school managers have are mapped in view of the transition to the Dutch
educational system.

In good consultation with the three Executive Councils and the schools
involved, programs have been prepared to use the extra funds for the
improvement of school buildings, for the most urgent needs. As a
consequence, on each island various construction projects are in preparation.
The most important ones being:
On Bonaire: new construction of a broad school for “funderend onderwijs”
with neighborhood facilities; new construction of a school for HAVO/VWO
higher grades; urgent facilities for the instruction class rooms of the
Scholengemeenschap Bonaire.
On Sint Eustatius: renovation of the Golden Rock School; expansion of the
Bethel Methodist School (already under execution).
On Saba: rebuilding of a former commercial building to technical instruction
classrooms for the Saba Comprehensive School.

During a visit of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture

and Science (OCW) in June 2010, it was agreed that a master plan for the
accommodation of education would be prepared on short term. The point of
departure is that within five years, all schools will be brought to an
acceptable level based on Dutch standards and that OCW together with the
island governments will make the effort to make the necessary funds for this
available. In these plans, the executing organization and the (future)
maintenance will be included.

Introduction Dutch educational system

It was agreed with the island governments that the Dutch educational system
will be the point of departure at the introduction of a new educational system
on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The specific circumstances on the BES-
islands could lead to an adjusted arrangement.

Staff members of the OCW audit department have determined the current
financial situation at each school, together with the financial departments of
the island governments and school boards. Based on this among others, the
financing for the schools per January 1st 2011 will be determined this month
(August).

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To be able to cover the costs properly, a project manager implementation
financing has been hired. This official of the Education Execution Service
(Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs – DUO) will support schools locally with the
improvement and development of their operations. He will also provide
information on the new education legislation and regulation in general and
the way the defrayal will be implemented in particular.

The direct financing of the schools by OCW will bring many changes for the
school administrations. OCW has requested Administratiekantoor Onderwijs
Service Groep Arnhem to conduct an orientation analysis this month
(August) on everything required for the set up of an administrative office on
the BES-islands. Based on the results, the school boards can decide whether
– and if so, how – they wish to set up an administrative office.

Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports ( Ministerie van

Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport -VWS) wishes to gradually allow the
level of healthcare on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba grow to that in the
European part of the Netherlands. Anticipating the transition date, projects
have been started up to improve the range of care services offered on the
three islands. Per January 1st 2011, the Ministry will introduce the BES-
health insurance, which grants all legal citizens of the three islands equal
right to medical and long term care.

Improvement of healthcare range

Projects in this field cover both the organization and quality of the
healthcare.
In the area of organization, the privatization of the general practitioners on
Bonaire is supported. On Sint Eustatius and Saba, foundations have been
established in which as per January 1sy 2011, the island hospitals will be
incorporated.

It is the intention that the institutions for nursing and care follow suit, whilst
beside that the primary care, addiction care and the Youth and Family
centers be given a place in this respect. If they so wish, the islands could also

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In the meantime, in the field of quality, new ambulances have become
operational on all three islands. The training of the staff is being worked on.
The increase of the number of basic specialties in the Bonaire hospital
demands time. The collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and
the Academisch Medisch Centrum Universiteit van Amsterdam, is shaped
through the incorporation of a legal entity, in which among others the
contract based purchase of basic specialty care will be arranged. This refers
to the specialties of internal medicine, surgery, anesthetics, gynecology,
pediatrics and psychiatry. The expectation is that around October 10 the first
medical specialist will be working in the Bonaire hospital as
“kwartiermaker” and that in the course of a year the other specialists will
gradually become available.

Also the rendering of dialysis facilities on Bonaire is being worked on.

Dialysis-patients have set up a patient association to serve their interests.
After the choice has been made for a dialysis relief center, a dialysis center
will be set up in the Bonaire hospital. At the same time the possibility of
home dialysis will be included.

For the super specialized care, agreements will be made with a big hospital
in the vicinity of Bonaire and in the vicinity of Sint Eustatius and Saba. In
this case the execution of the acute care will be included, to be preferably
executed by the same two hospitals. Linked to this, agreements will be made
on the emergency transportation. The choice for a fixed wing plane or and/or
a helicopter transport depends on the choice of hospital. At the beginning of
August a number of hospitals will be inspected and evaluated to determine
which one would be most suitable. The aim is to subsequently make
agreements that can be made operational shortly after the transition date.

For the improvement of the pharmaceutical care on the islands, it is the aim
to increase efficiency possibly due to improvement (and lowering of
purchase costs and organization of the medicine supplies. In this case the
change in prescriptive behavior of the doctors is of importance.

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Improvement of the medical infrastructure with regards to buildings and
equipments is mostly part of the quality projects. The realization of the plans
already worked out for that purpose, will gradually take shape starting 2011
as part of the regular operations of the various care institutions. The
purchase of image carrying equipment which cannot endure postponement
will be executed with preference.

BES Health Insurance

Per January 1st 2011 the current public and private health care insurances
will be replaced by one public insurance for medical and AWBZ-care. The
regulation for the BES-Health care insurance is still being prepared by
VWS. The to be established BES Health Insurance office will be responsible
for the execution. Prompt finalization of the regulations and of the decision
making by the Council of Ministers is necessary to ensure the timely
purchase of care and the proper information of the insured, care providers
and other interested parties by the Health Insurance office.

As a result of the delay with the tender for the ICT-support, the design of the
work processes and the ICT-support thereof at the Health Care office will
first be in order by mid 2011. At least during the first quarter of that year,
there will therefore be mention of manual processing and control of
information, which of course brings risks for the management and service
provision. An execution scenario aimed at the limitation of the risks is being
worked on.

Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment

In April 2010 the Executive Councils of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
and the Minister of SZW agreed on the level of the minimum wage and the
benefits linked to it. The joint objective is to decrease the difference between
the height of the benefits and the desired level of the needs of existence
based on the economic capacity and development.
The monthly AOV – benefit will increase on January 1, 2011 from ANG
800 to ANG 900, to be increased with a price compensation over 2010. The
pension qualification age will go up to 65 years during the period till 2021.

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In the new situation, the welfare benefit has been established in the form of a
legal regulation, with objectified allowances for independent living, the first
three children, being married or living together and full and permanent
incapacity to work. When determining the height of the welfare benefit, the
possibility of additional earnings up to the amount of the minimum wage of
ANG 1,260 per month was taken into account.

Welfare
Currently the attention of SZW is aimed at the development of work
processes, the to be applied automation system, the selection and
appointment of staff and lastly the training policy. As it currently seems, the
current welfare staff of Bonaire and Saba will transfer to the RSC (Sint
Eustatius currently does not have a welfare staff member).

In good consultation with the island governments –whose role as welfare

provider will transfer to SZW per October 10th - the transfer of the ongoing
welfare database is being worked on. This will require some work.
For all parties involved, the data required to determine the right to welfare
must be established and evaluated. At the same time the parties involved
should be informed about the transition from island to RSC and about their
new rights and duties.
On Saba and Sint Eustatius, it concerns relatively small numbers of people
(a few dozen) but the situation of the persons involved has not been or is not
sufficiently documented. Further research is required to be able to assess the
right on the new welfare benefit. On Bonaire the situation of the parties
involved is pretty well documented, but the evaluation of the right to a
benefit has to be done for big number of people (circa 300). The available
personnel capacity for these purposes is limited (because it’s not tuned to the
work peak of the take-over), however although part of the time of the staff
must be utilized to follow trainings.

The task of labor mediation and the development of job programs have been
assigned to the islands, which do not have an adequate functional system for
this purpose yet. However, since this an important condition for the lawful
and efficient granting of welfare and work permits, SZW has offered support
to the islands. In this respect a pilot was started on Bonaire in cooperation

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with two local organizations (Forma and Mangazina di Rei) aimed at
individuals with a big interval from the labor market.

Work permits
In the governmental agreement with Bonaire, specific attention was given to
the execution of the work permit regulation in connection with the division
of tasks. The point of departure is that per January 1, 2012 this task will be
executed by mandate by the island of Bonaire unless the experiences gained
advise against it. Currently a process description and work instructions are
being worked on. An automation module that grants connection to the
Foreign Management System as applied by the IND, is also being worked
on. In consultation with the Civil Registry department of the island, a joint
front office will be set up.

.
Inspections
On Bonaire, the inspection tasks in the fields of security, illegal labor,
minimum wage and housing of aliens will be executed after the transition
date by inspectors that SZW will take over from the island. For Sint
Eustatius and Saba an inspector will be hired.
The intention is to start with a good information campaign for the two most
relevant sectors, namely construction and the hospitality industry.
Inspections can follow after this information campaign. The inspectors will
be granted extraordinary investigative authority for the making of the reports
and will have to be trained both content- and skill-wise.
The inspection of oil terminals is of a more specialized nature and will be
executed from the Netherlands.

***Attention: This version of the “progress peport: ten more weeks” in

English is only an instrument for support and aid. The Dutch version
“voortgangsrapportage: nog tien weken” is the official version.

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