Government's actions in the past four years reflect the will and needs of Azoreans, stresses Vítor Fraga
The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated on Flores that the works carried out by the Government of the Azores in the last four years will meet the actual needs of the population on all the islands of the archipelago.
Vítor Fraga spoke at the opening of the contract work for the rehabilitation and improvement of the section of the Regional Road no.1-2 between Ferros Velhos and Ponta Delgada. He stressed that this work symbolises "the work and investments that have been carried out on all islands of the Azores over four years."
"That is what this Government has devoted its attention and work: equal treatment for all islands, the same dedication to each Azorean, the implementation of homogeneous interventions and works from Santa Maria to Corvo," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary stressed that the work now opened "confirms the Government's contribution to the constant improvement of the road network" on all islands, stressing that these actions "are a mirror of the will and needs of the Azorean people."
"We do not build for the sole purpose of building, as some claim, we build to meet the real needs of all Azores," said the government official.
The works opened today conclude an investment of approximately 1.5 million Euros aimed at improving accessibility to the town of Ponta Delgada in the municipality of Santa Cruz das Flores. The intervention comprised the rehabilitation of the road lane, the construction of a rainwater drainage system and culverts as well as the installation of road signs and safety equipment.
In addition to these works, several improvements were also carried out in Pedrinha and Ponta Delgada viewpoints, which included the construction of paved car parks.
Vítor Fraga stressed that this is "just one of the marks that the Azorean Government leaves on this island in the area of public works," noting that the conclusion of this project "rehabilitates more than 95% of regional roads on the island of Flores."
The Regional Secretary also reminded that, following the work that has been done, there is an ongoing procedure for a contract work intended to rehabilitate and improve the road sections of Ramal da Fajãzinha, Ramal do Mosteiros, southern top of the aerodrome runways, entrance to Lajes village and Baleeiros. These interventions represent an investment of 780 thousand Euros.
The investments carried out by the Government on the island of Flores also include an investment of 135 thousand Euros regarding a contract work for the construction of a wall in Ramal da Fajã and over 25 thousand Euros in various projects, ranging from the retaining wall in Feital, located in Fazenda das Lajes das Flores, to the rehabilitation of Caímbros, Portal and Ponta Delgada viewpoints, and the construction of Cedros Viewpoint in the municipality of Santa Cruz.
"The Azores are today a new, renewed, different, being clearly different in all areas," the Regional Secretary said, stressing not only its natural beauties but also improvements in the technological evolution and development of infrastructures, among other areas.
"Over the past four years we have been challenged to permanently overcome us," Vítor Fraga said, highlighting the search for the best solutions for Azorean entrepreneurs.
"We have neither forgotten a single island, nor have we neglected the claims of the Azorean people. We have invested and continue to invest. We have invested and accomplished many works," the government official said, adding that the "ability to make it happen clearly marked this legislative period."
Vítor Fraga also stressed that the public investment made by the Government on the island of Flores exceeds 20 million Euros, of which 3.6 million Euros represent investments in works already concluded. In turn, 12.4 million Euros correspond to works in progress and over 4.1 million Euros account for the investments in works under tendering procedures.
"This is a path we will continue to follow so that we may we maintain the investment made. We know that there is still much to be done. We promised works and we fulfilled commitments," said the Regional Secretary.