Minister VROMI, Patrice Gumbs tagging an abandoned car.
PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) has tagged approximately 250 abandoned and wrecked vehicles for removal during the first two weeks of a campaign targeting car wrecks across St. Maarten. Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs said the number is significant but represents only a small portion of the wrecks across the island.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t even scratched the surface,” Gumbs said while participating in the tagging of vehicles for removal. According to the minister, some known hotspots have between five and 10 wrecks on a single street, meaning that the 250 vehicles identified so far represent only a limited reach of the ongoing campaign.
Gumbs also highlighted the cost to government associated with removing the wrecks. The government pays a contractor US$100 for each wreck removed, meaning that the approximately 250 vehicles already tagged represent a potential removal cost of about US$25,000 if all are removed under that arrangement.
Gumbs said the cost adds to other concerns surrounding abandoned vehicles, including their impact on the appearance of neighbourhoods, quality of life and property values, as well as potential health risks. The removal campaign also comes as St. Maarten enters what is commonly regarded as the peak period of the Atlantic hurricane season. Abandoned and wrecked vehicles can pose additional hazards during severe weather and stressed the importance of clearing them from communities.
He encouraged residents to monitor government announcements and weather-related notices as hurricane season continues. The ministry will also provide information through its social media channels regarding cleanup schedules and the locations of large metal bins where residents can dispose of certain waste.
Gumbs stressed that VROMI has not stopped removing car wrecks from the island but described the current campaign as an escalation of those efforts. The issue is also being addressed as part of the government's broader efforts to establish a more sustainable waste-management sector.
Earlier this year, the ministry submitted a financial framework aimed at supporting the development of a sustainable waste sector. The framework was approved by the Council of Ministers and identified end-user disposal fees as one potential instrument for financing the sector.
Gumbs also supported a motion submitted in Parliament last week aimed at helping implement the approach as government continues to address the island's growing waste-management challenges. The minister acknowledged that removing all wrecks will take time, while thanking residents for reporting abandoned vehicles and engaging with the campaign. “While this will take time, we are coming," Gumbs said.
