Regional Port Auhtorities begin contract procedure for emergency protection works in Lajes das Flores Port
Regional Port Auhtorities begin contract procedure for emergency protection works in Lajes das Flores Port
Ponta Delgada
Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas
The Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures reports that on Monday, in strict compliance with the public procurement requirements and legal procedures, Portos dos Açores, S.A. (Regional Port Authorities) sent the invitations for submission of proposals under the tender procedure for the construction of the emergency jetty at the Lajes das Flores Port.
Berta Cabral, Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Public Works, stressed that "this process is now the main priority," adding that the Government wants "to complete this work as soon as possible, so as to provide the island of Flores with the best possible conditions for its adequate supply until the definitive work is completed.
The works contract procedure for the construction of the emergency jetty has a base price of €6,200,000.00 (plus VAT) and a completion period of 135 days.
In October 2019, hurricane Lorenzo destroyed the protection breakwater of the Lajes das Flores port, creating great difficulties for the operation of this port infrastructure, a situation that was seriously aggravated by the effects and damage caused by storm Efrain in December 2022.
"We are facing a critical situation in Flores, with major difficulties in terms of sea roughness inside the port, which makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for vessels to operate during loading and unloading processes," explained Berta Cabral.
The government official stressed that the Regional government "has done everything possible to overcome the obstacles and difficulties by following the situation closely, surveying needs and coordinating all the necessary efforts directly with entrepreneurs, town councils and the local population, with a view to ensuring the supply of the island through various means, within the possibilities that weather conditions allow.
The emergency work to be carried out at the Lajes das Flores Port aims primarily at protecting the new jetty, while also contributing to mitigating the effects of sea roughness within the port basin.
