Regional Government accuses Socialist Party of political exploitation of recent storms affecting the archipelago - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, categorically refuted all statements made by Socialist Party MP Lubélio Mendonça regarding the operation of inter-island maritime and air transport, particularly to Corvo.

The Regional Secretariat responsible for Transport reiterated that it is important to highlight that the Region has been repeatedly hit by severe weather conditions, with a direct and inevitable impact on port and air operations. Atmospheric instability, combined with particularly adverse sea conditions, has forced the suspension of several connections, a procedure that follows strict internationally recognised safety criteria.

“Any attempt to interpret these technical constraints as operational failures is completely unfounded. Disregarding the weather impacts, affecting not only the Region but the entire national territory and the autonomous regions, only contributes to creating controversy, confusion and misperceptions about the functioning of the transport sector,” stressed the transport department. 

The Government of the Azores recalled that it has been making a huge effort, unprecedented in socialist governments, by chartering a vessel for Corvo (Thor B) and another for Flores (Margarethe) to ensure the regular supply of these two islands, weather permitting.

As is public knowledge, Leixões, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitória and all other ports in the Azores have been affected by rough seas and poor navigation conditions.

The statements made by MP Lubélio Mendonça, who is exploiting the suffering of people who are not receiving their essential supplies due to severe weather conditions, particularly rough sea conditions, for political gain, are considered "unacceptable and pure demagoguery."

The same government department also reported that the vessel Thor B is scheduled to depart from Horta tomorrow, bound for Corvo, where it is expected to unload cargo on Wednesday.

If it is not possible to carry out the operation, the Government of the Azores is considering alternative means of supplying the smallest island of the archipelago, resorting, as was the case last winter, to the support of the Portuguese Air Force.

It should also be noted that, during socialist governance, the island of Corvo had no maritime supply for 50 consecutive days.