The second refugee boat in Meppel will also stay longer. At the request of the COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers), Mayor Richard Korteland has agreed to an extension until the end of March next year. That is as long as the boat on Paradijsweg.
The second boat – in the Meppelerdiep, near the Handelsweg – has been in Meppel since the beginning of October. The boat can accommodate 110 refugees. The expected duration of the shelter was three to six months. Korteland said at the time: “I don’t know how reliable that price is. In any case, there is no intention to make it last longer.”
The fact that this is happening now has everything to do with increasing waiting lists at the COA. As of 1 February, the COA has taken over the coordination of the second boat from the municipality of Meppel. Local residents were informed about the decision by COA last weekend.