Santa Cruz de Tenerife 28 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The councillor Naim Yanez (Vox) has this Friday accused the president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, of creating “social alarm” by advocating for the expansion of the port of Los Cristianos without conducting a public consultation.
In a query posed before the Plenary of the Corporation, he challenged the president’s stance without being aware of the “sentiment” of the locals, emphasising that an intervention of such magnitude requires active involvement from the community.
“The residents of Los Cristianos must have a say, as they will be the primary individuals impacted by the changes entailed by this potential extension,” he stated, while also highlighting that the Citizen Participation Strategy mandates that society must be consulted in cases of draft projects.
Yanez, who remarked that Dávila was reluctant to respond—”I understand the president wishes to avoid uncomfortable questions”—believes it is essential to initiate some form of consultation to determine whether the locals, shopkeepers, and entrepreneurs support the initiative.
The Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García, indicated that according to technical reports, action at the port of Los Cristianos is “indispensable and urgent,” a matter already discussed with the president, given that these are “verified facts.”
In this context, she noted that the Cabildo will “advocate and support” all initiatives that “enhance not only mobility on the island but also the quality and living conditions for Tenerife,” asserting that action at the port of Los Cristianos is necessary as there are even safety concerns among vessels.
Nevertheless, she stressed that the jurisdiction lies with the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which will, when the time arises, provide public information, conduct a hearing process, and listen to all stakeholders regarding the potential expansion.
“A decision needs to be made promptly, and it is both urgent and essential; we cannot afford to delay for another 20 years,” she explained.