As part of the committee of inquiry into alleged favours to economic groups, The President of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, was asked about 27 works carried out in Madeira, regarding the importance of their construction and whether budgetary expenditures were “acceptable.”
Among others, the Lugar de Baixo marina, the heliport of Porto Moniz, Madeira Theme Park, business parks, sports units, and Penedo do Sono were under discussion.
Replying, Miguel Albuquerque stated that, concerning the Marina do Lugar de Baixo, successive errors had been discovered by the Regional Government and that they had taken the designer to court, a process that is still ongoing. He went on to say that all building projects were important and justified the political decisions regarding costs.
The PS, in turn, questioned him about the Port of Funchal berths, Penedo do Sono and Fábrica das Algas in Porto Santo, a microwave unit for the treatment of hospital waste, the construction of the cable car and the ‘Dubai of Madeira.’
Responding to this, the President of Madeira confirmed that the port’s berths, whose acquisition was the subject of a public tender between 2009 and 2010, came into operation during a “difficult European economic situation for shipowners,” which led to the lower demand for this type of service.” Among other answers about works, the head of the government admits that the investment of algae in Porto Santo has not brought about the desired profits and that the Madeira Electricity Company was working hard to reverse the company’s bank balance. It has been continually running at a loss, so much so that the Court of Auditors (TdC) recently told the company’s directors to get a grip and sort the situation out.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
