The Regional Government “does not invest on one island to the detriment of another,” assured the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs today at the Legislative Assembly in Horta. 

Berto Messias spoke at the debate raised by a political statement issued by the CDS/PP party on the development model of the Azores, stressing that investing on one island to the detriment of another would be “a blatant and brutal strategic error that would jeopardise the development of the Region.” 

“One only has to look at the political options of the Regional Government, as set out in the Investment Plan for our Region, and one only has to learn about the investments taking place on all islands to notice that the accusations about centralism in the public investments in the Azores make no sense and are far from the truth," stressed the government official. 
 
“We are aware of the important work we have done, but we also know that there is still a lot to do. There are projects that should have gone at a faster pace and there are aspects that need to be corrected so that the investments that have not yet started or are not yet finished can be completed,” added Berto Messias. 

The Regional Secretary also rejected the opposition's accusations that there is an “alleged divestment in the health sector.” 

“It is not true that there is a disinvestment in the Regional Health Service. In fact, a rigorous assessment of the evolution of the Regional Health Service in terms of public investment, infrastructures and equipment or increase of human resources for check this out proves otherwise.
 
It is not my opinion, it is the actual data that corroborate my statements," said Berto Messias. 

"In this regard, the opposition show a contradictory position, when it permanently praises the Regional Health Service for the efforts undertaken during this pandemic and, at the same time, accuses he Regional Government of divesting in the Regional Health Service. It forgets that it was precisely this investment that helped us overcoming this pandemic in the way we did,” said the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency. 

Berto Messias also called for the composure and tranquillity of all parties.
 
"Rest assured and do not get nervous about the upcoming electoral calendar, the Azoreans will have the opportunity to democratically assess the work carried out by the Government as well as the political projects presented by all parties. This calendar does not condition our action, but, judging by your speeches, it seems that you are very anxious about this year's regional elections," said the government official.