4th Interministerial Committee for the reconstruction of Saint-Martin and St-Barth / Philippe Gustin: "Rethinking the Northern Islands for sustainable reconstruction"!

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The Prefect, Philippe Gustin, interministerial delegate for the reconstruction of SXM and St-Barth, has just submitted a report to "guarantee a successful and sustainable reconstruction" in the Northern Islands. At the end of this presentation, the State and the community of Saint-Martin signed a cooperation protocol based on the recommendations of the interministerial delegate.

The Prefect Philippe Gustin, interministerial delegate for the reconstruction of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, presented yesterday a report on the occasion of a new meeting of the interministerial committee formed after the passage of Hurricane Irma. He presents a series of recommendations to “guarantee a successful and sustainable reconstruction” in Saint-Martin and on the sister island of Saint-Barth.

The senior official first stresses the need to "strengthen the means of action" of the state on the spot "to ensure legality control and effective public policies". This notably involves a greater presence of the services currently based in Guadeloupe and the rapid reconstruction of an "hard" administrative city in Saint-Martin, where the prefectural offices have been devastated.

Maintain "credible security forces"

Even if "stability currently appears guaranteed on the two islands", the prefect Gustin also recommends the maintenance of "credible security forces" to ensure "optimal security", in order to "remake Saint Martin a safe destination" and to restore "the confidence of residents and economic players".

According to him, the image of "Friendly Island" was indeed "permanently" tarnished by the looting taking place after Irma.

The report also highlights the difficulties of access to water which remain "significant" in Saint-Martin. "This situation must force the public authorities to find solutions as quickly as possible to meet the needs of 20% of the population who still do not have running water," writes Philippe Gustin, recalling that "there are still too many leaks." on the network ”.

Prioritize local businesses

For the prefect, it also appears “important (…) to ensure that reconstruction benefits local businesses as a priority”, while the latter are faced with foreign competition, by “targeting contracts as much as possible or ensuring compliance strict of the law ”.

More generally, the report recommends “rethinking the development” of the Northern Islands to prevent a new disaster, based on precise risk diagnoses. This would be an opportunity to "promote an innovative reconstruction" and to initiate a "reflection on the future of these territories, on the mode of development they wish to adopt and build an ambitious development project".

Favor sustainable tourism

In this case, while Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy live mainly from tourist flows, Philippe Gustin believes that it is necessary to favor “sustainable” tourism.

"Emphasis should be placed on a tourist activity respectful of the site and the environment, eco-responsible, and on a development model based on ecological and energy transition", he specifies.

Finally, the document calls for relaunching Franco-Dutch cooperation to "rebalance" the two parts of the island. After noting that the passage of Irma "above all revealed pre-existing dysfunctions", the prefect Gustin believes that "a unique opportunity to rethink these territories opens up to us". "I dare to hope that each of the actors in the reconstruction (...) will be able to grab the ball with bounds," he concludes.

In this case, while Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy live mainly from tourist flows, Philippe Gustin believes that it is necessary to favor “sustainable” tourism. "Emphasis should be placed on a tourist activity that respects the site and the environment, is eco-responsible, and on a development model based on ecological and energy transition," he said.

Finally, the document calls for relaunching Franco-Dutch cooperation to "rebalance" the two parts of Saint Martin. After noting that the passage of Irma "above all revealed pre-existing dysfunctions", the prefect Gustin believes that "a unique opportunity to rethink these territories opens up to us". "I dare to hope that each of the players in the reconstruction (..) will be able to grab the ball with bounds," he concludes.

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