That the Steering Group of the Trust Fund made extra means available to relocate people living on and near the landfill (see related story) means a structural approach to one of St. Maarten’s most pressing issues may finally be within reach. Asking residents, regardless of legal status, to move out of their homes implies a responsibility to provide them with suitable alternative accommodations regarding both quality and affordability, certainly in the middle of a pandemic and related socioeconomic crisis.
The Solid Waste Management and Environmental Improvement Project consists of two parts, the first one dealing with the current dump and removing debris such as boat wrecks, for which the contract is almost completed so the actual savaging can finally start. This part also entails the so-called fires suppression project to prevent above- as well as underground blazes and the smoke nuisance they create.
But possibly even more important might be the second one that aims to implement a sustainable solid waste management strategy. The latter appears to be what is really needed and ought to include garbage separation, processing, and recycling.
The current budget of US $35 million obviously does not cover a full comprehensive solution to the entire problem but, as Dutch State Secretary Raymond Knops stated, long-term options are being developed that can be considered for financing. Perhaps the best news is his assertion that there is agreement on the way forward, at a time when discord seems to dominate relations with the Netherlands.
Knops also mentioned having asked for a “high-level focal point” to speed things up. It may sound like a crazy idea, but Member of Parliament (MP) Claudio Buncamper for years was the face of Public Works and knows a thing or two about the dump’s history, so perhaps the elected representative could give some practical advice.
The fact that he is currently in the opposition benches should not make any difference, with all the recent talk of unity in the legislature.
