San Sebastián de la Gomera 22 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Minister for Territorial Policy of the Canary Islands Government has expressed regret this Friday that the hydraulic initiative for enhancing the water distribution network, storage facilities, pumping systems, and telemanagement framework in La Gomera “is presently stalled” as “Madrid has not allocated the 20 million euros for hydraulic projects designated for 2024”, a matter that he emphasised will continue to be “pursued” by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.
The head of Territorial Policy for the Canarian Executive visited the region yesterday where the initial tasks of the Inter-Institutional Collaboration Project for the Barranco de Vallehermoso have just commenced. An investment of 5.9 million euros aims to prevent overflow during rain events and ensure the safety of residents, properties, and public amenities, as stated in a communication.
Regarding the state grant of 20 million euros, in early February, Miranda had previously denounced during a parliamentary address that this “commitment” from the State had not reached the islands. He subsequently elaborated that the absence of this funding could jeopardise the financing of up to “nine” strategic “projects” across different islands.
Visit to La Gomera
The Minister of the Regional Executive, along with the president of the Cabildo Gomero, Casimiro Curbelo, and the island’s mayors convened this Friday in the municipality of Vallehermoso to assess the hydraulic measures undertaken by the government in La Gomera. Consequently, the Ministry highlights that the Executive is currently managing various projects on the island exceeding 17 million euros.
Among these projects are two initiatives funded by Next Generation resources totalling 5.9 million euros, aimed at constructing a new treatment facility in Alajeró and upgrading the existing one in Valle Gran Rey.
Furthermore, according to the Regional Department, emergency works concerning the Deposit are nearing completion (costing 650,000 euros), and improvements to the pipeline between this deposit and Guarimiar will resume, with an investment of 553,370 euros. This project had previously been halted due to the immediacy of prior works. The Acanabre project (1.1 million) is also set to commence.
All of these undertakings are expected to be finalised throughout 2025, along with the channeling of the Barranco de la Concepción, a project run by the island council that received a subsidy from the regional executive amounting to 833,625 euros.
Additionally, this year’s budget for the Autonomous Community includes a preliminary study and the drafting of plans for the future desalination plant in Valle Gran Rey, with an anticipated budget of one million euros.
