In the usual weekly meeting of the Funchal City Council (CMF), opposition leader, Miguel Silva Gouveia, criticised the current management of the Municipality of Funchal, accusing the current executive of only ‘governing’ the needs of tourists, and not taking into account the interest of Funchalenses.
Miguel Silva Gouveia used the approval of an urban rehabilitation project as an example, lamenting that this was a tourist local housing project? Stating that this showed the lack of measures within the CMF to create adequate housing within the city. He went on to say that Funchal is one of the most expensive areas to live within the national territory and that rents have increased by 30%, and property retail values have risen by 26% within the last 12 months.
Responding to the criticisms, Pedro Calado forestalled any further comments by stating that no matter what the CMF achieved, the previous Mayor would complain that it was not enough. However, he believes that Funchal has become more dynamic and that the conversion of old properties into tourist apartments provides further employment opportunities within the city.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
