Today’s update on the situation regarding streetlights is most welcome. With some 80 per cent damaged, repairing them is understandably going to take a while.In addition, restoring the supply of electricity to neighbourhoods had priority for obvious reasons. Even now that process is still ongoing in a few spots.
Coincidentally, more than 2,000 of the lamps had just recently been replaced with more energy-efficient LED lights. Part of this investment was lost due to Hurricane Irma.
People who may be getting impatient ought to keep in mind that new poles, fixtures and lights needed to be ordered from abroad. A shipment of LED fixtures should arrive in the next few weeks.
However, the 600 poles had to be manufactured and aren’t expected until the end of February. In the meantime, some slightly bent or leaning poles can also be reused once the fixtures become available, after the fuse boxes and cables inside have been checked.
Plans to focus first on the main roads and commercial zones make sense. At the same time, a concerted effort must be made to complete the enormous job as quickly as possible.
The importance of proper illumination in public areas to the tourism economy cannot be overstated, particularly for stayover guests. Not to put undue pressure on GEBE, but this matter is in fact vital to the recovery of the local hospitality industry.
St. Maarten is known as a fun destination, where activities and entertainment options also during the evening hours play a key role. The relative darkness that is now evident in prime tourist locations such as Simpson Bay simply does not contribute to the sense of safety and security visitors desire and require.
Although most major resorts intend to stay closed at least until the end of year, some hope to open earlier, which is good news. Having a bit more light all over the island would probably be a big help.
