The Executive Council (BC) has reviewed the ILT report and continues to take a step-by-step approach to implementing improvements.
On November 7, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) published a so-called IBT report. The report describes the ILT’s findings on how the Public Entity of Bonaire (OLB) carries out its licensing, supervision, and enforcement tasks related to the VROM BES Act (legislation concerning building and environmental regulations).
According to the ILT, the OLB has taken positive steps in the right direction regarding the implementation of licensing, supervision, and enforcement under the VROM BES Act.
On April 1, 2024, the Inrichtingen & Activiteitenbesluit BES (IAB) came into effect. This decree introduces new and complex environmental protection rules. It is important that businesses are given the opportunity to comply with these rules and receive proper guidance.
To support this, an environmental expo was organized at the end of September for the construction and hospitality sectors. During the expo, companies were informed about the new environmental regulations and reminded of their key role in protecting the environment. The OLB trusts that businesses will take their responsibilities seriously. Improvements are being made step by step.
The OLB believes that the environmental tasks under the IAB should be implemented locally. The guiding principle is “Teach us how to fish” — help us to achieve this ourselves. Learning to “fish,” such as issuing environmental permits, supervision, and enforcement, is complex and takes time to master.
The OLB is working closely with the Association of Environmental Services in the Netherlands (ODNL). Local civil servants are being trained and educated, while new staff are being recruited. Improvements are being made step by step.
The Departments of Spatial Development and Management (DRO) and Technical Affairs and Housing (DTH) are each working individually and jointly on necessary improvements. With the support of ODNL, a significant backlog of old building permit applications has been cleared, and building permits are increasingly being processed on time.
Supervision of unauthorized construction has been intensified: around 60 construction stops have been imposed where permits were either missing or not being followed. In the near future, the joint office housing DRO’s Realization Department and DTH will be completed, further strengthening cooperation.
Again, improvements are being made step by step.
The OLB acknowledges that the three individual cases cited by the ILT, including Selibon, are examples where improvement is needed. The ILT rightly noted that these often involve complex and urgent situations. The OLB is taking measures step by step — for example, an enforcement order has been imposed and resources and materials have been made available to Selibon to carry out the required measures.
As legally required, in early 2026, both the Island Council and the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) will receive a report detailing the results for 2025. Based on this, the Implementation Program 2026 will be submitted.
Step by step, improvements are being made — after all, this is our island and our responsibility.
Press release: Public Entity of Bonaire