News that land has finally been purchased for a joint sewage plant serving the Dutch and French sides is most welcome. Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Egbert Doran recently signed a deed for the private property behind GEBE’s power plant in Cay Bay.
European Union (EU) funding for this long-awaited project has been available many years already, but issues arose with several earlier proposed locations in the Cole Bay area. Studies will have to confirm that the currently chosen spot is suitable to house a wastewater purification facility.
The importance of sewage treatment to prevent land-based pollution of especially Simpson Bay Lagoon and surroundings cannot be overstated. The inlet is one of the island’s greatest attractions and key to its marine industry that has grown into a major contributor to the tourism economy.
People who noted how much clearer the water became during the lockdown because business activity was interrupted will be amazed at the pace with which nature restores itself once the principal source of contamination has been addressed. Who knows, perhaps it will one day even be safe to eat fish from the lagoon again.
Such projects are also needed to provide some employment and earnings, particularly in view of the coronavirus-related crisis. The Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund managed by the World Bank is involved, so if its own Post-Hurricane Irma boat wrecks and debris removal in and around the lagoon can finally take place, the whole area would get a significant boost that could help revive the yachting sector too.
Speaking of tourism, Puerto Rico as a US territory has taken to testing passengers coming from the mainland on arrival (see Wednesday paper) but in the future wants to do so before they board the flight. This is interesting, as several other Caribbean countries seem to favour a 14-day mandatory period of quarantining for holidaymakers.
The latter may be no big deal to persons booked at all-inclusive resorts, so long as they do not have to remain in their rooms. The same can probably said about vacation homeowners who often stay for months.
However, others want to go out to experience the island and – most importantly – patronise the local businesses, including restaurants. That certainly applies to – for example – timeshare guests with just one or two weeks to spend here.
These are strategic decisions moving forward that could make a huge difference in the pace and extent of economic recovery. The future success of any destination to some degree depends on such.
There must a balanced approach that makes the health risk manageable, taking into consideration the need to also safeguard people’s livelihood.
