Blanca Pérez (CC), the Councillor for the Natural Environment of the Cabildo de Tenerife, has labelled the PSOE councillor Javier Rodríguez as “unethical and malicious” on Friday, following his criticism of the intervention by the island’s Waste director, Alejandro Molowny, during the plenary session.
During the regular plenary session of the island corporation held on Friday, the socialist representative stated that Alejandro Molowny is “discredited from the judicial, academic, and public service standpoints.”
The topic of waste management in Tenerife was discussed in the island’s plenary session this Friday at the request of the Socialist group. The Minister of Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, and the island’s Waste director, Alejandro Molowny, appeared to clarify objectives until 2027.
The island’s governing groups (CC and PP) announced a 55 million euros investment over the next 18 months to enhance waste management on the island. They also reactivated a contract with the UTE Nivaria worth 397 million euros for the next 15 years.
An allocation of 9 million euros for research and innovation projects aimed at improving waste management and creating direct employment on the island was also highlighted.
From the PSOE side, Councillor Javier Rodríguez criticised the review of actions by CC and PP, stating that it only reflects past decisions and actions already initiated during the last term under the socialist president Pedro Martín.
In response, Councillor Rodríguez stated, “She (referring to Blanca Pérez) has solely focused on listing the obligations of UTE Nivaria in the contract document, which was awarded by the PSOE in the previous term, as she has not contributed anything noteworthy until now.”
After various exchanges, Molowny responded to allegations by Councillor Rodríguez, who mentioned that the Director General is unfit to speak about waste management due to being discredited in the judicial, academic, and public service spheres.
Amidst the commotion in the plenary session, Councillor Blanca Pérez defended Molowny and referred to Javier Rodríguez (PSOE) as “unethical and malicious.”
Rodríguez criticised the lack of action by the island government (CC and PP) and stressed the importance of Tenerife having a waste management model where separate collection of organic matter is “the fundamental element on which everything else is based to prevent continued failures.”
The island government group highlighted the enhancement of existing clean points with an investment of around 700,000 euros. They also mentioned the new clean points at the Environmental Complex of Tenerife (Arico), Los Rodeos (La Laguna), and Las Chafiras (San Miguel) that have been tendered this year.
Additionally, they plan to launch points in Fasnia, Granadilla, Vilaflor, Guía de Isora, and Tegueste, doubling the number of clean points from 8 to 16. This initiative aims to streamline waste collection and recycling for citizens.
The investment in projects earmarked for 2024 and 2025, that have been planned and approved this past year by the Council, totals up to 55 million euros. This includes improvements to the leachate and construction and demolition waste plants, as well as the enhancement of the Tenerife Environmental Complex facilities and cogeneration facility that generates electricity from landfill gases.
Further enhancements are in progress for the Refining Plant for stabilized organic matter and compost, Degassing plant, and urbanisation of the Tenerife Environmental Complex. These actions aim to boost the Complex’s efficiency.
Plans also include improvements to the management of recycling centres, extending operating hours to facilitate waste disposal for citizens.
