VALVERDE (EL HIERRO), 6 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Cabildo of El Hierro, Alpidio Armas, communicated with the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife this morning to express his disapproval of the proposed installation of a tent in the dock of La Estaca for the care of migrant minors.
“The Presidency has been made aware through various channels concerning the potential establishment of a tent at the port facilities of La Estaca as temporary accommodation for unaccompanied migrant minors, following a request from the Government of the Canary Islands, specifically from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Children and Family,” stated Alpidio Armas in a press release.
In this context, the Port Authority has been informed of its “complete rejection” of the commercial port being utilised for the accommodation of minors.
The president of El Hierro emphasised that the Port of La Estaca is an “atypical” port in relation to its proximity to the capital of El Hierro, Valverde, which renders any proposed facilities as a place of total permanence, as any movement would necessitate the use of a vehicle.
Armas pointed out that the compactness of this port complex would hinder the normal functioning of port activities, as it would have to utilise public or recreational areas designated for passengers, or spaces such as the marina within the dock.
“Similarly, La Estaca is a port experiencing growth in passenger traffic, with considerable expectations regarding the increase of sailings and cruise ship arrivals,” he added.
The report further notes that within the port facilities, there exists a public beach “which has become a key location for enjoyment for countless bathers, both locals and tourists, who frequent it every day of the year.”
Armas reiterated that any installation of this or any other kind, whether temporary or permanent, would “stifle” any future development of the port, either by occupying necessary space or adversely affecting its image as an island, as it is the “only gateway” to El Hierro by sea.
“It is self-evident that the Cabildo of El Hierro, along with this president, has significantly demonstrated its commitment to addressing the migration crisis. We have rendered facilities and public funds in response to the emergency, but there are actions we cannot accept as they contradict our interests, and this is one of those instances,” he elaborated.
Given this scenario, he has notified the head of the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife about its opposition to the usage of La Estaca as a support infrastructure for migratory care in the manner proposed by the Government of the Canary Islands.
He noted that this stance “will also be communicated to the regional Government, which we will urge to explore alternative sites on the island, including those that could be proposed by this institution, taking into account the need to address this humanitarian emergency but with the least possible disruption to the ordinary services for the residents of El Hierro.”
