Communiqué from the Council of the Government - Communication

The Council of the Government, which met in Ponta Delgada on March 16, 2023, adopted the following measures:

In the context of reinforcing the measures to improve the supply to the islands of Corvo and Flores:

- Approve the Resolution authorising the estimated annual expenditure of €800,000.00, renewable for successive periods of one year up to a limit of five years, making up a total estimated expenditure of €4,000,000.00, to be made by the Regional Cohesion and Economic Development Support Fund, with a view to signing a contract for the provision of services to ensure the regular maritime transport of goods between the islands of Faial, Flores and Corvo.

The constraints caused by the passage of hurricane Lorenzo and storm Efrain in the archipelago of the Azores have prevented the regular supply to the islands of Flores and Corvo by sea.

For the purpose of ensuring that the Western Group islands were not further damaged by the damage caused by these natural phenomena, the Regional Cohesion and Economic Development Support Fund signed on June 15, 2021, a contract for the provision of regular maritime transport of goods between Faial - Corvo - Flores - Corvo - Faial, whose term ends on August 15, 2023.

Since the estimated date for the completion of the remodelling works of the Lajes das Flores will only be in 2028, when all conditions will be met for the docking of local traffic ships with the necessary safety conditions, it is urgent to ensure the regular maritime transport of goods to the islands of Flores and Corvo.

- Approve the Resolution authorising the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures to approve the exemption of port use tariffs, applicable to ships and cargo, for ships operated by national shipowners for the sole purpose of transporting goods to the island of Flores.

As the harmful effects of Hurricane Lorenzo on the economy of the island of Flores, aggravated by the Efrain depression, still persist, it is justified that exceptional measures remain in effect to restore normal supply conditions to the island and mitigate the impact on its economy, resulting from restrictions on the operating conditions of the port.

In the context of additional support to the income of fishers:

- Approve the Resolution establishing the "Additional Income Support Scheme for Fishers," which includes as beneficiaries all shipowners and fishers holding a valid maritime registration or boarding authorisation, who carry out their activity exclusively on board a fishing vessel registered in a port of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

In compliance with the recommendation set out in the Resolution of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores no. 34/20222/A of October 10, the Regional Government of the Azores creates additional income support for fishers as a means of offsetting the impact of the pandemic on the sector, in addition to increases in production costs, following the war in Ukraine and the spiralling inflation. 

The amount of support results from the difference between the minimum wage guaranteed applicable in the Azores for 2022 and the average income of beneficiaries in 2022. 

In the context of the Azores Vine and Wine Institute:

- Approve a proposal for a Regional Legislative Decree amending the Regional Legislative Decree that established the Azores Vine and Wine Institute, IPRA.

Following the process of creating the Azores Vine and Wine Institute, IPRA, which was assigned competences hitherto held by the Azores Wine Commission of the Azores, it is important to ensure that these competences do not overlap.

As a result of the decision to extinguish the Azores Wine Commission, it is necessary to determine the procedures required to integrate its workers into the regional public administration.

In the pursuit of public interest and ensuring greater transparency to the procurement process:

- Approve the Resolution authorising the expenditure estimated at €1,300,000.00 for the acquisition of private security and surveillance services for the following premises: Boavista Building and Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada; Information and Archive Centre in Ribeira Grande; Bairro Beira Mar facilities in Praia da Vitória.

The security and surveillance services provided by the Regional Secretariat for Finance, Planning and Public Administration are included in several contracts, covering several premises on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, namely the Sant'Ana Palace, the Boavista Building, the Information and Archive Centre, the Conceição Palace and the Bairro Beira Mar facilities. 

With a view to pursuing public interest, thus ensuring greater transparency to the procurement process, this government entity intends to consolidate all security and surveillance services into a single procedure. 

The Council of the Government also adopted the following measures:

- Approve the Resolution authorising the launch of the public tender aimed at the signing of a contract for the acquisition of passenger transport services for the Lagoa do Fogo Nature Reserve, for a period of 566 days, with the possibility of extension for a maximum period of 365 days and a base price of €453,000.00 (four hundred fifty three thousand Euros).

The high number of visitors, mainly in the so-called high season, has caused various constraints and jeoardises the quality of the experience and environmental sustainability of the Lagoa do Fogo nature reserve.  

Regarding the access of vehicles, particular constraints have been verified both in terms of traffic and parking. Therefore, it is urgent to regulate its access and promote transport alternatives, such as collective passenger transport, for visits with a smaller carbon footprint.

- Approve the Regional Regulatory Decree that clarifies the competences of the Regional Government, for the purposes of implementing the Regional Legislative Decree implementing a pilot project to encourage the collection and deposit of marine litter and the return of end-of-life fishing gear used in commercial fishing in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, which will be assigned to the member of the Regional Government with powers in matters pertaining to sea and fisheries.

- Approve the Resolution supporting the Fonte do Bastardo Youth Association, in the amount of €22,010.44, for the participation in the semi-finals of the Senior Challenge Cup Men 2023 in the 2022/2023 sports season.