Today, straight after the commemoration ceremony at the National Monument, Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken gave a speech at the opening of the renovated “fourth caisson” at the Watersnood Museum. Visitors can find information here about the future of the South-western Delta and the Delta Programme. The “fourth caisson” was opened by the Queen’s Commissioners for the provinces of Zeeland (Ms Peijs), Zuid-Holland (Mr Franssen) and Noord Brabant (Mr Van de Donk).
In his speech, the Delta commissioner spoke about the innovations in the South-western Delta seen from the national perspective: ‘There are innovations at the system level, the region level and the project level. And, moreover, we have to work – and work together – in an entirely new way. This is a “must” if you want to prevent disasters rather than respond to them. Things must be done differently. Decisions made with no immediate threat. It’s difficult, but it must happen.’
‘We have to keep up the pace and dare to make decisions because we must stay ahead of any approaching disaster. And it is my role to make sure everyone sticks to the job. Reaching a consensus is fine, but real decisions must be made because nature is relentless as the natural disasters across the world over the past 50-100 years have shown us. The Watersnood Museum has an important role to play in raising awareness internationally, and in our country and among its population. Naturally, we should first commemorate the past, but we must then think about the future. The innovations are on display at this museum. The Delta Programme’s Delta Viewer is here too, as well as an interactive flood awareness programme that shows you what happens when things unexpectedly go wrong. But let us first work together on ensuring that won’t happen.’