The public service obligations the Regional Government is "outlining" for maritime transport in the archipelago will be concluded by the end of this year, announced the Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport today in Horta.

Vítor Fraga spoke at the Legislative Assembly during a debate on a draft resolution submitted by PCP recommending the purchase of a vessel with capacity to transport passengers, vehicles and cargo for the establishment of regular maritime links between São Miguel and Santa Maria.

The Regional Secretary considered that the proposal presented by PCP "is clearly a vague and inconsistent measure that does not fit into what should be the good management of regional public resources."

"There is no point in investing in such measures," Vítor Fraga said, stressing that this proposal does not reflect a "global and strategic vision of what should be the maritime transport of passengers and cargo in the Azores" and "it is not addressed at the improvement of efficiency and proper use of public resources."

According to the Regional Secretary,” the primary goal of the Government in this area is to respond to the mobility needs of the Azorean population efficiently, effectively and with reliably" by fostering the creation of an internal market and promoting the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Azores.

In this regard, Vítor Fraga noted that the Regional Government will "establish public service obligations to promote the creation of regional traffic as well as to boost current local operators."

"We will also create a regular route for the transport of passengers and goods in a roll-on/roll off vessel between Central Group islands with balanced fares to regulate the market for all regional traffic," added the government official.

"This is a strategic vision that will certainly revolutionise the maritime transport of passengers and cargo in the Azores with a clear purpose of boosting the economy of each island," said the Secretary for Tourism and Transport.