An upcoming gift from the City of Loulé, promises of more human and technical resources from the Government and a lot of pomp and circumstance, as the occasion called for. The centenary of the Maritime Police (PM) was officially celebrated yesterday, Sunday, in Quarteira, in a ceremony attended by the Minister of Defense and where this police force made known its activity.
The coastal city of the municipality of Loulé was chosen to host the official commemorations of the XNUMXth anniversary of the Military Police, a party that began on Thursday and had its high point yesterday, with a solemn session, a military parade and demonstration of means of this force.
And one of the themes that crossed the different speeches was the fact that the Quarteira Maritime Police post is close to being reborn, a work that is already underway and will be funded by the Loulé Council.
«We are in Quarteira, where a new post for the Military Police will be born, since, between Portimão and Olhão, where there are bases for this force, there was a very unguarded area. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chamber of Loulé for the partnership that will allow the opening of new facilities here at the end of this year or at the beginning of 2020», revealed João Gomes Cravinho, Minister of Defense, on the sidelines of yesterday's ceremony.
Vítor Aleixo, mayor of Loulé, whose executive made himself available to advance the 725 euros needed for the construction of these equipments, confirms that the works should be completed "by the beginning of next year", but does not commit to dates, because "sometimes, the works suffer small setbacks that lead to them not being fulfilled, with the rigor of a Swiss watch, the calendars'.
But, more month, less month, there is no doubt at this time that a nova página» in the relationship between Loulé and the National Maritime Authority (AMN).
“There are six houses under reconstruction to house the Maritime Police officers who come to Quarteira. There is this large investment in the Salva-Vidas Station and in the PM post that will be built next to the Fishing Port. There is a renewed interest on the part of public entities in what is the root and deepest identity of this land, which are the economic activities linked to the sea», said Vítor Aleixo.
“These commemorations of XNUMX years follow an excellent collaboration that the Câmara de Loulé established with the Maritime Authority and that it has been cultivating in recent years. [The fact that they take place in Quarteira] It is a recognition by the AMN of this collaborative effort that the Chamber has established», he added.
On the part of the Government comes the guarantee that there will be a commitment to the Maritime Police at the national level. “We have a set of ideas that will form part of a new organic law for the Maritime Police for the near future and we will evolve over time. There is a large investment that needs to be made, both in terms of equipment and human resources», illustrated João Gomes Cravinho.
This second aspect “is the most important. We are going to gradually increase the number of military personnel. 38 elements recently entered and it was the first time in ten years that this has happened. We are authorized to proceed with the hiring of 25 more and this will allow this force to modernize, update and rejuvenate its staff».
These means will be "distributed equitably throughout the national territory, including the Islands".
In the commemorations of its centenary, the Maritime Police also made a point of showing its different aspects, either through a static display of media, or using simulations, which took place at sea, near Quarteira beach, and were the delight of many curious, Portuguese and foreigners.
Now illustrated the Vice Admiral Luís Sousa Pereira, General Commander of the Maritime Police, after the commemorations of the first hundred years, this force is prepared «to serve the Portuguese for another hundred».
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues|Sul Informação
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