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March 6, 200
bron Saba News Agency
Newly-appointed Director General of the Department of Internal Affairs and
Kingdom Relations Andrée van Es and Commissioner for Constitutional Affairs Chris
Johnson signed a document Monday paving the way for Saba to receive NAf. 13,160,000
for Social Economic Initiative (SEI) projects. The SEI was approved December 7,
2007, and it sets the policy agenda for the next period with main implementation
scheduled for 2008-2009. The fi ve specifi c areas are tourism development, infra-
structure upgrading, public sector, labour market and education, social issues, and
government fi nance. Project proposals for all areas are to be submitted for
evaluation to USONA. The proposed projects that will have the most visible results
to island residents are a study on Cove Bay improvements, repairs and expansion of
Fort Bay and of roads, extension of the Administrative Building, increases in social
housing availability, and improvements in waste collection and disposal services.
The major fi nancial allocation is NAf. 7,060,000 for harbour improvements, with
emphasis on the small pier. Less tangible projects include the developing of a
comprehensive tourism development strategy, reduction of government red tape, and
signifi cant programmes in capacity building via professional training for civil
servants, including an outplacement programme for those entering the private sector,
and training in technical areas and on-the-job for the labour market. The overall
quality of the current educational system will also be improved. Van Es who was
visiting the island for the first time was taken on a tour of Fort Bay. She also
visited Child Focus. She said she was delighted to experience Saba first hand and
was looking forward to a longer visit.
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