Investments in ports have led to significant improvement in passenger transport, says Ana Cunha
The investments made by the Azorean Government in regional ports have led to a major improvement in maritime passenger transport, stated the Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works.
Ana Cunha was heard at the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly. On the occasion, she pointed out that, considering the most relevant investments made since 2012, they already represent nearly 109 million Euros. We may even establish a "very significant cause-and-effect link in terms of a significant improvement in the maritime transport of passengers in the Azores, namely in the Central Group islands."
At this hearing, the Regional Secretary was asked to comment on the recent occurrence of two accidents, a fatal one and the other with serious financial consequences, and whether a cause-and-effect relation could be determined between the major investments that have been made and those accidents.
According to Ana Cunha, "the direct relation or causal link between the investments made and these two accidents has not yet been established."
On the contrary, a very significant "cause-and-effect" link has been established, which is reflected in the improvement of maritime passenger transport.
The Secretary was heard on a draft resolution from PSD requesting the Government to conduct a study on the operation of regional ports. In this regard, the government official noted that, "about the specific proposal, the Government is available to determine, with some adjustments, in which manner the studies in progress and the conclusions to be reached may be added up to other studies and ideas, involving not only the Regional Port Authorities and Atlânticoline but also the Maritime Authority. According to her, this will be possible if the main concern "is the safety of maritime passenger transport operations in ports and to the extent that this measure intends to support the work carried out by Regional Port Authorities towards the improvement and safety of operating conditions."