The dump’s on fire again. That’s how most people tended to describe what was going on at the landfill on Pond Island since Friday, usually with a sense of resignation. After all, a lot already has been written and said over the years about this frequent problem and its
possible consequences for especially residents downwind affected by the smoke.
Rather than waste even more time and energy discussing the need to end these apparently unavoidable periodic blazes and the threat they pose to public health as well as the environment, the question one should ask is how much longer St. Maarten can wait before doing something about its ever-growing “Mount Trash” that also contributes to pollution of Great Salt Pond.
To call the dump a “sanitary landfill” seems a stretch certainly at this point, with hardly any meaningful garbage separation and recycling. The long-announced waste-to-energy plant is supposed to provide the solution, but so far all the talk of realising one has remained just that.
Although plans were made, bids invited and endless debates held concerning this project, the public is yet to see any tangible result. Different forms of financing have been suggested; however, ultimately utilities provider GEBE probably will need to purchase the electricity produced by such a future facility to make it feasible.
It’s no secret that the Government-owned company is in a bit of disarray following the suspension and/or dismissal of various senior management members, while the Supervisory Board is being replaced by the shareholder. The fact that there have been no less than five different Councils of Ministers since 10-10-10 probably wasn’t exactly a big help in terms of continuity in policies either.
Nevertheless, the situation regarding the Dutch side’s garbage processing is becoming extremely urgent and to go on in the current manner would be simply irresponsible. The time for excuses on this pressing issue has passed and citizens want to finally see some real action that speaks louder than words.
