Vítor Fraga urges National Government to speed up recovery of NATO Pier and certification of Lajes Air Base for civilian use
The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works urged the Minister of Defence to speed up the recovery of NATO Pier in Ponta Delgada so that the Port Authorities may move forward with the second phase of the rehabilitation works of the port.
Vítor Fraga spoke in Lisbon at the end of a meeting with minister Azeredo Lopes. He stressed that this is a fundamental work with "direct impact on the second contract work that Port Authorities will launch in the same port for the reshaping of pier -10, repaving of the pier and expansion of the container park, which is directly related to this work. Hence, we must coordinate the works and the respective schedules in order to ensure the operability" of Ponta Delgada Port.
In this regard, the Regional Secretary revealed that the Minister of Defence took the commitment to "send all the necessary documentation to the Cabinet of Prime Minister between today and tomorrow so that he may authorise the expenditure for subsequent release of the tender and, thus, continue this important work."
In addition to the contract works already underway, the Port Authorities will launch a second contract with a budget of approximately 32 million Euros. It represents a major investment to improve the operating and safety conditions of this port and prepare it for the challenges of the future.
Regarding the certification process of Lajes Air Base for permanent use by civil aviation, Vítor presented to the Minister of Defence the claim to move forward with this process "as soon as possible in order to anticipate the two-year period for its implementation as this is a structural and fundamental measure for the activity of Lajes Air Base; the latter has a direct impact on the economy of Terceira Island."
Currently, this work is being developed by the working group created for this purpose, which includes members of ANAC - National Civil Aviation Authority, Air Force, ministries of Defence and Planning and Infrastructure, and the Regional Government.
Recently, the working group conducted a technical visit to the infrastructure between January 31 and February 2. On March 6, "the members will meet again in order to follow the whole process," said Vítor Fraga.