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NAM Earthquakes: Anger of Groningen Population with Minister Eric Wiebes

Printed below is an English translation of an article published today by the Dutch Financial Times, Financieele DagbladRoyal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil each own a 50% share in NAM, the company responsible for the earthquake blighted Groningen Gas Field and consequential potential bill for untold billions in damages to effected residences.

The Minister wants, as he explained once more, to avoid the risk of unnecessary housing being demolished by the reduction of gas production. By carefully examining the new situation first, it must be prevented that ‘an entire province is unnecessarily demolished…’

Minister Wiebes wants to make up again with the Groningers

Louis Hoeks • Economics & Politics

There were no apologies, but on Thursday Thursday Eric Wiebes was expressly looking for an understanding of the House of Representatives and the Groningers, many of whom occupied the public gallery. Originally, the debate was about the historic cabinet decision to close the Groningen gas tap in 2030.

Instead of praise for the March decision, the high-spirited quarrel in which the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate had ended last week dominated. Not only the Groningen population is angry, but also a large number of regional administrators, such as former PvdA politician Hans Alders who stepped up as National Coordinator Groningen last week.

Maladministration

They blame the VVD minister that he unilaterally canceled the agreements with the region by temporarily suspending the reinforcement of 1588 dwellings in the earthquake zone. Where the coalition parties praise the Wiebes Chamber, the Groningen anger exceeds the party boundaries. CDA mayor Albert Rodenboog of Loppersum spoke of ‘improper management.’

‘We just have to conclude that we have been untruthfully ugly about the complexity’, Wiebes acknowledged. But he did not think it was wrong that he let the fortification be postponed. Since it has been known that gas extraction from the Groningen field is being phased out, a unique situation has arisen and existing agreements can be changed, he argued.

Slow pace

‘If once in the 55 years gas production stops, I interrupt the procedure.’ However, he hopes to restore the relationship with ‘my friends in Groningen’. Wiebes praised their autonomy. “They have to keep the scope to say: the Empire is crazy.”

The Minister wants, as he explained once more, to avoid the risk of unnecessary housing being demolished by the reduction of gas production. He outlined the slow pace of the reinforcement operation. The ambition was 22,000

Landlord levy

By carefully examining the new situation first, it must be prevented that ‘an entire province is unnecessarily demolished,’ according to Wiebes. Soon after 1 July there must be clarity about this. Henk Nijboer (PvdA) said he feared that there would only be a new standard and that it would take a long time for the Groningen people to have certainty.

To curb the discontent, the minister told a series of extra measures to consider for the residents of the 1588 houses, on top of the security interventions. The approximately 1,100 homes owned by corporations may receive a discount on the landlord’s levy that they pay annually. In addition, part of the € 950 million that the government wants to give to the regions can be used and Wiebes is considering doubling contributions from the corporations and the province.

Refurbishment of the province

There was grumbling about the position of the Dutch Petroleum Company (NAM), which is getting the gas off the ground in Groningen. The opposition wondered whether NAM really no longer interferes with the system of strengthening, as Wiebes claims. The risk model developed by NAM is still being used, but it no longer influences the redevelopment of the province, the minister swore.

The opposition found at the end of the problem that the debate had yielded little and found that the minister was too easy of it. “Where Wiebes is, is chaos and afterwards it is the fault of everyone except Wiebes,” said Sandra Beckerman (SP). Lammert van Raan (PvdD) said it more elegantly. ‘We have gone into the house of the minister’s logic. We have not understood or seen it in his eyes. It will soon be clear whether the Minister’s house should not be strengthened. ‘

Box text

‘We simply have to conclude that we have been untruthfully ugly about the complexity’. • Minister Eric Wiebes of Economic Affairs and Climate

‘Where Wiebes is, chaos and afterwards it is the fault of everyone except Wiebes’. • Sandra Beckerman (SP)

‘We have gone into the house of the minister’s logic. We have not understood or seen it in his eyes’ • Lammert van Raan (PvdD)

DUTCH SOURCE ARTICLE

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