Despite promises made, a second firefighting helicopter will not be arriving in the region this year.
While inaugurating an AL property in Rua da Til, the President of Madeira stated that a tender for a second helicopter had to be opened. As this was the case, he was unsure when this would happen.
When challenged by journalists, he added
“We will just have to make do with what we have, and what we have paid for.”
The helicopter was supposed to have been in the region from the 1st of July (this year).
Other political parties are unimpressed with the situation, especially as temperatures are expected to soar from Thursday onwards.
The JPP deputy in the Assembly of the Republic, Filipe Sousa, condemned the absence of the second firefighting helicopter in Madeira, a promise made by PSD/CDS figures and which, according to the party, has now been ignored by the Government of the Republic.
The JPP considers this omission a “serious flaw,” which compromises the operational capacity of Civil Protection in the Region and represents “a clear devaluation of the specific needs of an outermost and mountainous region.”
For the party, the decision also demonstrates the “lack of influence” of the Regional Government with national executives of the same political color. Filipe Sousa questions the silence of the deputies elected by the PSD, such as Pedro Coelho, Paulo Neves, and Vânia Jesus, and demands public clarification on the non-compliance with the commitment.
The JPP demands a response from the Regional Government regarding the alternative plan to make up for this absence.
Last year, two Spanish water bombers had to be requested to help combat out-of-control fires on the west of the island.
There was a further blow to the regional government, as the tender for the work on the Porto Santo pier attracted no applicants. The tender, assured the President will be reissued.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
