National Ombudsman demands immediate closure of Bonaire landfill over health hazards
The landfill on Bonaire must be closed as soon as possible, Dutch National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen said, calling the situation on the Caribbean island “untenable.”
According to NOS, in a letter to the Tweede Kamer, Van Zutphen said, “It cannot and must not be the case that what is unthinkable in European Netherlands is considered normal in Caribbean Netherlands.”
Residents have raised concerns about the landfill for years, as toxic and harmful substances are released into the air, and fires frequently break out. Last year, the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport concluded that the situation was "urgent" and "alarming."
Earlier this month, Van Zutphen visited Bonaire to speak with both residents and the management of the waste processing company. He found that residents feel ignored while living in unsafe conditions.
“People want to know how their health is affected, which is a legitimate question. It is time for the government to listen to them,” Van Zutphen said.
He added that the waste company lacks the resources and equipment to manage its operations effectively on the island, making government intervention necessary.
