PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says he looked into the complaint lodged by the Dutch Quarter Community Center (DQCC) regarding an LPG Refilling Station.
DQCC is acting on behalf of the residents of Lower Princess Quarter and in particular the residents in the nearby vicinity of the LPG Filling Station.
"I was informed by Dutch Quarter residents about the alleged illegal building of a CO2 tank. I called the Inspector from Ministry VROMI and instructed that it be stopped.
"Proper procedures have to be followed. You can't build a tank and put gas inside and then apply for a permit. If anything goes wrong without the necessary due diligence being done, the community would be the one to suffer," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday.
DQCC is opposed to Delta Robertos Gas Station d.b.a. A.Q.S. Gas Station NV request for amending an existing hindrance permit to decrease the storage of lightly flammable gasses and add a large storage tank containing CO2 at A. Th. Illidge Road #291 Lower Prince's Quarter.
DQCC shares the opinion of residents that they should be duly informed beforehand about the dangers and what safety measures are or should be in place for such an installation.
The Council seeks an audience with Ministry VROMI, Fire Department and the owners/operators of A.Q.S. Gas Station in order to be informed prior to making an informed decision regarding the establishment of a CO2 Refilling Station.
"I fully understand the position of the Dutch Quarter Community Council as well as some of the residents who have personally spoken with me or have written to me about their concerns.
"I believe in openness and transparency, and that is how I have functioned throughout my tenure up to this point in time. The residents should receive all the information from the stakeholders involved in order to make an informed decision.
"Our communities have a say in what takes place in their neighborhoods. This has been my approach from one end of the country to the next," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday.
