Former Labour minister Hans Alders has been appointed National Coordinator Groningen to oversee the repair of earthquake damage.

The official announcement is expected on Friday, according to sources in The Hague and Groningen quoted in the NRC. Alders will take up the post on June 1.

The 63-year-old Alders was environment minister in Ruud Lubbers’ government between 1989 and 1994 and queen’s commissioner in Groningen between 1996 and 2007. He is known as a bridge builder, but also for the number of jobs he holds (22), including six in the energy sector.

Alders’ task falls within the economic affairs ministry which is creating a special team with offices in The Hague and Groningen. He will oversee a programme of reinforcement for buildings damaged by earthquakes caused by gas extraction.

Tens of thousands of buildings need shoring up because of the risk of damage.