Island Governor John Soliano of Bonaire has responded to the letter from Eric van der Burg, State Secretary for Interior Relations and Kingdom Relations. In his response, the governor addresses the questions posed by the state secretary and outlines the steps the Public Entity Bonaire is taking to strengthen governance and the public organization. The message is clear: we are working, we are investing, and together Bonaire continues to move forward.
Shared concerns, work continues Governor Soliano refers to his letter of August 10, in which he expressed concern about the political situation in light of the major social tasks facing the island. At the same time, the governor emphasizes that work continues with the same intensity and that concrete steps are ongoing. Bonaire’s challenges require stable governance as well as executive power: plans must be properly realized. The agreements in State Secretary Van der Burg’s letter form only a small part of the many ambitions and topics the Public Entity Bonaire works on daily.
A growing island In recent years, Bonaire has grown significantly, and this growth continues. However, the capacity of the Public Entity Bonaire and other services has not grown at the same pace. Because past investments lagged behind, delays arose across various policy areas. Additionally, Bonaire’s scope of responsibilities is larger than that of a regular Dutch municipality. This requires a new way of working, and such a change takes time. To ensure this transition proceeds carefully and successfully, the governor believes it is important to apply focus. By making clear priority choices, the Public Entity Bonaire can direct its energy toward what is most needed and deliver on its promises.
Investing in good governance Dualism also needs time to become fully embedded in practice. Dualism means a clear division of roles between the Island Council and the Executive Council, requiring an ongoing commitment from all governing bodies involved. According to the governor, active investments are already being made through:
- Participation in training programs conducted by professional organizations.
- Revision of codes of conduct for officials and civil servants.
- Utilization of development trajectories to strengthen the public organization.
- Increasing organizational resilience.
Collaboration as the key In his response, the governor describes the current status and highlights efforts to reinforce the functioning of the government and public administration. Soliano emphasizes that collaboration is crucial across the board: between the government and the Island Council, between the Public Entity Bonaire and The Hague, and with the community of Bonaire.
“Bonaire faces major challenges, but we are not standing alone,” said Governor Soliano. “We work every day to achieve stronger governance and better service for our residents. This requires time, focus, and above all, collaboration. I have full confidence that together we will navigate this path successfully.”