Groninger Bodem Beweging Calls for Action as 22,000 Residents Still Live in Unsafe Homes
Advocacy group demands swift action as thousands remain in unsafe homes and gas extraction continues
The Groninger Bodem Beweging (GBB) has launched a powerful national campaign to spotlight the slow progress in addressing the aftermath of gas extraction in Groningen. In full-page advertisements in major newspapers like Volkskrant and AD, the GBB declared, "Groningers above gas," demanding swift action to resolve safety and housing issues for the thousands still affected by the threat of earthquakes.
Unsafe Homes and Lingering Earthquake Risks
The advertisements highlight the plight of 22,000 Groningen residents living in unsafe homes, with more than 27,600 properties identified as potentially unsafe. While gas extraction in the Groningen field has officially stopped, the risk of significant earthquakes remains, with a 5% chance of a quake measuring 3.6 or stronger. Despite promises to complete the reinforcement operation by 2028, progress is behind schedule, leaving residents uncertain about their safety and future.
The National Coordinator Groningen (NCG) has faced criticism for poor communication and ineffective management. Annual satisfaction surveys reveal widespread dissatisfaction, with many residents feeling abandoned and confused about the reinforcement process. Promised sustainability measures, intended to complement the reinforcement work, remain unimplemented after two years.
Unequal Treatment and Broken Trust
The GBB emphasises the inconsistent treatment of homes in the earthquake zone. Some properties are heavily reinforced, while others with visible cracks are left untouched due to revised safety standards. This uneven approach has divided neighbourhoods and destroyed trust. Residents question why some homes are prioritised while others are ignored, despite similar risks.
Compensation and Bureaucracy
The Nij Begun package of measures promised fairer and more efficient compensation for damage, claiming it would be "milder, more humane, and easier." However, the GBB reports little progress. Bureaucracy continues to plague the process, with 20,000 families in Groningen and Drenthe still waiting for their damage claims to be resolved, and many yet to file initial reports.
Controversial Gas Extraction Extension
Adding to the frustration, Minister Sophie Hermans recently extended gas extraction in the Warffumerveld for another eight years. The GBB criticises this as an unnecessary choice rather than a necessity, further deepening the sense of betrayal among residents.
A Call for Accountability
The GBB’s message is clear: the government must fulfil its promises to the people of Groningen. The advertisement's poignant text, adapted from Boudewijn de Groot’s song "Goodnight, Mr. President," reflects the emotional toll on affected families: "Prime Minister, good night, sleep well in your safe Catshuis. Don't dream too much of all those Groningen villages, and the citizens with the cracks in their houses." The GBB reiterates the call for immediate and decisive action, putting "Groningers above gas."