WILLEMSTAD — The stands and terraces, particularly in the center of Punda, are currently being dealt with summarily. Those not in the possession of a permit, are requested to pack their things. The new permits are only valid for one year.
Lieutenant Governor Lisa Dindial announced the aforementioned this week, after the police had cleared the street ‘Plasa Jojo Correa’. In addition, the kiosk at the Gomezplein was also cleared after having provided its services since years. In particular, the foreign kiosk holders will have to relocate to, amongst others, the route along the Waaigat. However, they are not happy with this request at all, as fewer tourists will pass by; it is an uninviting and extremely hot spot. In addition, the stands are often knocked over by miscreants at night.
The government wishes to give the inner city an organized impression. After all, Punda and Otrobanda are included on the UNESCO’s World Inheritance List. Other locations will have to be found for those stands usually selling souvenirs. Until now, the stand holders, united in the institution People of the Sun, to no avail raised the alarm with the government on their complaints regarding the intimidating attitude of the Bureau Exceptional Laws (BBW) of the Police, which is responsible for the issuance of permits.
During the last year, there was a question of a critical situation regarding the stands in the inner city, as many retailers did not posses a local stand permit, according to Dindial. "In order to realize tourism promotion and an organized center for the entire community, the working group ‘Tourist Rapid Response Team’ was deployed. The group consists of representatives of the CTB, Drov, CPA, DOW, and the office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The team received the task to come up with practical solutions for the various problems in the center, such as the (illegal) stands. A local stand policy was developed. This policy arranges for relocation of the stands as well as the compliance of the technical requirements for the stands. After a social- and financial-research and based on applications, BBW and Ban Bario Bèk will decide on those wishing to qualify for a stand permit and the location thereof. The stand holders have also been informed of these procedures in cooperation with the organizations DMO and SKO, according to Dindial. They have been given sufficient time and information. The government and the relevant services will look for a solution for those not complying with the requirements, said the Lieutenant Governor, who will provide for additional information at a later stage.
Terraces
In the framework of an organized inner city, the permits, which were issued to terrace-holders before 2007, have been revoked, and replaced by new permits that comply with the current requirements, and the one-year validity. In this manner, the government wants to accomplish that the sufferance dues are actually paid every year. In addition, permits for terraces that are not being used, have also been revoked.
Courtesy of www.amigoe.com