PSD deputies demanded from the Government «concrete results in the fight against drought in the Algarve», wanting to know what data allows Duarte Cordeiro, Minister of the Environment, to affirm that «there will be no shortage of tap water» in the region.
For deputy Rui Cristina, «propaganda, nor the creation of yet another commission, or even the announcement that a Government proposal to amend the Water Law is in the final phase are not enough.»
«Throughout these years, there have been no concrete measures from the Government to mitigate the severity of the drought problem, there has been a lack of the necessary political commitment and determination to put alternatives on the ground for the judicious management of a resource essential to life» , warns Rui Cristina.
On the other hand, «we have commissions, working groups, plans and more plans that are not implemented, when the Algarve needed contingency measures, especially effective savings, when the stored water only guarantees one year of consumption».
PSD deputies questioned the Minister of the Environment, considering that the Algarve is facing the most critical situation recorded in this century, in terms of water scarcity, which is why it is necessary to clarify the implementation of the 57 measures of the Regional Plan of Algarve Water Efficiency, announced in 2020 and approved in 2021, and forecast an investment of 228 million euros.
According to Rui Cristina, it is about «abandoning the Algarve to its fate, in a critical situation and with heavy losses for several economic sectors», in which consumption has already been cut, namely agriculture and the golf tourist segment, which contributes decisively to reduce the seasonality of the tourist industry.
The PSD also questions what the task force created in June and whether the Government's inertia will continue.
Comments