PBA ReporterAll has been concluded to dismantle a popular Netherlands bridge situated in Rotterdam to make way for the brand new pleasure megayatch of Amazon Founder, Jeff Bezos.
Bezos, one of the richest men in the world, commissioned the building of the super yacht that tops out at 40 meters (130 feet) high for the price of €430 million ($485 million) at the Alblasserdam shipyard near Rotterdam, just recently.
Reports say, De Hef as the massive steel bridge is popularly called was only renovated not too long ago with the promise that it will never be touched again. But the agreement was set to be reneged to let Bezos’ yacht sail through.
The latest decision has not passed without criticisms from all quarters. Locals have expressed anger at the new development because the council had pledged the monument would never be dismantled again after the major renovations in 2017.
Trouble started for the historic, iconic bridge when the Amazon grandpa embarked on his pleasure yacht project. Bezos’ three-masted yacht was being built by the Oceano shipyard in Alblasserdam but became too big to pass under the bridge when the central section is raised to its full height. Oceano and Bezos then approached the locals about dismantling the bridge with Bezos footing the bill.
“It’s the only route to the sea,” a spokesperson for the city told newsmen.
Reportedly, the bridge was originally built in 1878 and then rebuilt after suffering significant damage during World War II. Plans to demolish the bridge in 1993 were discarded following pushback from residents.
“We don’t have many historic buildings in Rotterdam. Many monuments were lost during the war, and we are very fond of this bridge,” cried Ton Wesselink, President of the Historical Society of Rotterdam.
“It was restored a few years ago and they promised not to touch it again, so it’s not clear why now, just like that, because a boat wants to pass through, we have to dismantle it. There’s always a risk that it could be damaged,” he wailed.
In a discordant tune, the Rotterdam mayor’s office defended the special privileges afforded to the billionaire, saying, the construction of the megayacht had created jobs in the city so should not be frowned at.
Jeff Bezos is one of the world billionaires who is splashing millions into private space travel. Recall he had already traveled into space in his own Blue Origin rocket.
Also remember that Bezos is one of the wealthiest people in the world who seemed to be insulated against the coronavirus so vastly increased his wealth during the pandemic.
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