“What needs to be done is already being done” to ensure supply to Flores, says Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government reassured today that “what needs to be done is already being done” to ensure food and fuel supplies to the population of Flores Island, following the heavy damage caused by Hurricane Lorenzo in Lajes commercial port.
“All the difficulties arising from the destruction of this port are quite visible for Flores. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that what needs to be done is already being done to ensure food and fuel supplies to the island by searching for a solution that will take into account the current reality," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke to journalists at Lajes das Flores Port after accompanying the visit of Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and of Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, and the Minister of Planning, Nelzon de Sousa, to this infrastructure, which suffered significant damage from the passage of Hurricane Lorenzo. The visit took place this morning.
“The works have already begun and will require utmost rigour to accurately survey what the reconstruction of this infrastructure entails,” stated Vasco Cordeiro. According to him, the Government is determined to “proceed swiftly with the interventions to recovery from the effects of this disaster.”
“What needs to be done is already being done, whether in regulating consumption and assessing the state of Lajes port bay for the movement of vessels or in planning an alternative solution for the supply of fuel and food to Flores Island," stated the government official.
In view of this exceptional situation, several departments of the Regional Government are working on the “best possible solution to serve the population of Flores, ensuring that the supply of essential goods will not fail” in the Western Group, stated Vasco Cordeiro.
According to the President of the Government, a team from the Regional Port Authorities is expected to arrive to Flores Island today to carry an initial assessment of the situation and damage, as it is also being done in other port infrastructures throughout the Region.
“It is of paramount importance to have an accurate estimate, which cannot be made hastily. This is what we are doing and this is what ensures the best possible response to people's needs,” stated Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he stressed that the visit of Minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and of Economy and the Minister of Planning to the island of Flores and Faial is "a strong message that highlights the solidarity and readiness with which the National Government is available to help the Region in these most demanding times.”
Regarding the declaration of energy crisis, Vasco Cordeiro stated that this measure, published today, aims precisely to ensure that the island does not run out of fuel so as to regulate its consumption and, thus, ensure that reserves are sufficient until a solution has been reached.
“There is also a need for serenity and tranquillity to restore normalcy and we are aware of the urgency of this situation,” said Vasco Cordeiro.