The government structurally lags behind the Caribbean islands that are part of the Netherlands when it comes to the construction of infrastructure and climate policy. These are “unjustifiable shortcomings,” according to a report released on Friday.
To rectify the differences between Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands) and European Netherlands, “substantial investments” are needed. That is the conclusion of the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) on Friday. This is an important advisory body to the government.
According to the council, the government pays insufficient attention to Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. This manifests itself in both policymaking and funding.
“There are unjustifiable shortcomings on the islands in the areas of housing, infrastructure, climate, and the quality of the living environment,” the Rli concludes.
Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius have been part of the Netherlands since the autumn of 2010. The Caribbean islands of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten have been separate countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since that year.
‘Road network from 1950’
In terms of roads and housing, the government has not taken into account the population growth on the islands, the council states. For example, the number of inhabitants of Bonaire has grown from 10,000 to almost 25,000 since 2010. It is expected that this will continue to grow to over 30,000 in 2050.
But the infrastructure lags behind. This is because the budget for road construction has not grown accordingly.
“It is as if the municipalities in European Netherlands still had to make do with the road infrastructure and the associated money from 1950,” the council quotes Richard van Zwol. He was chairman of the state committee on demographic developments.
‘Substantial investments’ needed due to climate change
The government also pays insufficient attention to the Caribbean Netherlands when it comes to climate policy. The chance of hurricanes on Saba and Sint Eustatius is increasing. In addition, those hurricanes are becoming heavier. The islands must prepare for this.
Bonaire will also have to deal with the consequences of rising sea levels. According to the council, “substantial investments” are needed for this.