Bill changing BES governance laws cleared for Council of State advice

A proposed bill changing the WolBES and FinBES laws for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba can be sent to the Council of State for advice, Soualiga Newsday reported. The laws govern the administration and finances of the three public entities and their relationship with the Kingdom.

According to Soualiga Newsday, the proposal would retain the Kingdom Representative position while restructuring the role. It would also introduce tiered financial supervision for the islands and expand their options to borrow from banks for island-level tasks, including road and energy infrastructure works.

Soualiga Newsday reported that the proposal includes stronger Island Council oversight and a local audit chamber. Borrowing would be subject to conditions and oversight, the outlet reported.