The cabinet must come up with a plan of action by September at the latest to do justice to the people of Groningen. The ministers must “add to their words, at all costs.” This is what Groningen administrators demand in a joint statement on Wednesday evening in response to the survey report Groningers above gas.
The Groningen administrators want the cabinet to give priority to ensuring that the suffering and frustrations of those affected come to an end. For example, they demand that the government stop the legal and administrative battle against the people of Groningen.
Residents also need to quickly get clarity about the reinforcement of their homes. At the moment, thousands of Groningen residents do not yet know whether their home is safe. Furthermore, the administrators demand that all residents be treated equally. In addition, the victims must be relieved financially and mentally.
In addition, the administrators demand that the cabinet invest billions in the region structurally and for decades. They do not mention an amount in the statement.
Ben Visser, the mayor of Eemsdelta, addressed the guests prior to the presentation of the statement. The debt of honor that the Netherlands has to Groningen must be repaid. According to him, this cannot be expressed in money terms. “It has to change, it has to get better. Money is only part of that.”
Interests of Groningers structurally ignored
In any case, the administrators want all the suffering inflicted on the people of Groningen to be compensated. They also demand investments in the quality of life of neighborhoods and villages.
The requirements correspond to the recommendations of the committee of inquiry. On 24 February, it presented its final report with hard-hitting conclusions. The interests of Groningen residents have been structurally ignored, which has resulted in disastrous consequences. The cause: an unprecedented system failure.
The directors handed over the statement on Wednesday evening in Delfzijl to members of the House of Representatives who speak about gas extraction in parliament. During the presentation, a number of councilors from various Groningen municipalities also spoke.
The package of requirements that is now on the table has been jointly drawn up by all municipal councils, the Provincial Council, boards of mayors, aldermen and the Provincial Executive and the water boards of the earthquake region.
This spring, the government will issue a response to the survey report. The House of Representatives is expected to debate the report in May.
