Restoring confidence in the handling of earthquake damage, that was Bas Kortmann’s mission as chairman of the board of the Institute for Mining Damage Groningen (IMG). In practice, it turns out to be more stubborn.
Kortmann will close the door behind him as chairman of the IMG board on 1 May. The institute took over the claims handling resulting from gas extraction from NAM five years ago.
After those years, he has a message for politicians when it comes to claims handling. “The powers must be expanded so that a legal solution can be sought less. I have been there (at the Institute for Mining Damage Groningen, ed.) for five years, but I often have trouble with which counter to go to. That says something about the position of the citizen. That must and can be done differently.”
Kortmann, who is leaving, emphasizes that the IMG does not have a pot of millions that everyone can take advantage of. The IMG may only pay compensation if it can be demonstrated that the NAM is liable. “Otherwise we are not allowed to do anything about that damage,” he says in the Radio-Drenthe program cassata.
Drents and Groningen residents often expect more. “That we solve their safety problems. Or that we solve their damage.”
Watch the entire conversation with Bas Kortmann in the Radio Drenthe program Cassata below.