Regional Government solved situations at Waste Processing Centres and found solutions for existing problems - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

In light of the statements made by the President of the PS/Açores, Francisco César, denouncing the alleged state of degradation of the Corvo Waste Processing Centre and the accumulation of waste on the island, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action would like to clarify the following:

1 - Francisco César is not telling the truth when he accuses the Regional Government of not managing waste properly when it has been the responsibility of the Regional Governments led by the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition over the last four years to find solutions to the problems that have arisen over more than a decade in the operation of regional Waste Processing Centres, during the successive terms of socialist governance;

2 - In the context of the publication released by the Socialist Party through the press and social networks, it is important to clarify that the accumulation of wood is found on property belonging to the Corvo Municipal Council, outside the limits of the Waste Processing Centre facilities, where this type of material has been abandoned, as opposed to being delivered to the appropriate destination, namely the Waste Processing Centre - a comparative image for the years 2021 and 2024 is also attached to this press release;

3 - This is a situation that began and persisted throughout socialist governance, long before the Coalition Government took office. However, once again with a view to solving a lingering environmental liability, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action (SRAAC) has decided to carry out a procedure to collect and dispose of all these liabilities, which is currently underway, with expenditure already authorised, corresponding to an investment of around 87 thousand Euros. The wood and other materials will soon be shipped in maritime containers, with an estimated maximum of 34 containers, according to the survey carried out for this purpose.

4 - It is also important to highlight a series of investments carried out by the Regional Government at the Corvo Waste Processing Centre. They have significantly contributed to improving the operating and management conditions of that space, such as the construction of a wall/fence and the installation of a gate to enclose and fence off the access to the Waste Processing Centre, as well as the paving, water diversion and construction of an access ramp to the entrance of the facilities, and the repair of the weighbridge, representing an investment of more than 40 thousand Euros; 

5 - With a view to overcoming the constraints arising from the difficulties in shipping waste outside the island of Corvo, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change acquired six 20-foot maritime containers solely dedicated to transporting waste from the island. This solution, corresponding to an investment of around 16 thousand Euros, has significantly reduced the liabilities left by the socialist governance, optimised waste storage and ensured that shipping is not delayed due to the unavailability of containers;

6- Tardily and in an irresponsible manner, the Socialist Party, which caused this problem and allowed it to persist, is now blaming the Regional  Government, which has endeavoured to solve the chaotic situation left by socialist governance;

7 - It should also be noted that the accumulation of waste over the years by the socialist governments, covered by a dense layer of dust, inside the Center, has already been solved, with all the waste being shipped by this Regional Government. The operation is now focused on the waste produced daily, which naturally needs to reach minimum quantities, by type of waste, to ensure the filling of the respective containers to be shipped, thereby preventing the accumulation of waste at the Corvo Waste Processing Center;

8- The Socialist Party left the Waste Processing Centres abandoned, degraded and in need of major interventions, without preparing the Region for the Selective Collection of bio-waste, without guaranteeing their necessary maintenance and modernisation, and with a decades-long accumulation of waste on certain islands;

9 - In view of the total neglect and abandonment of regional Waste Processing Centres, the Regional Government led by the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition has had to invest more than 6.5 million Euros over the last three years to improve these facilities of paramount importance to the Azores and render them more operational;

10 - Francisco César, President of PS Açores, who served as a Member of the Regional Parliament for several terms, knows, or at least should know, in detail, the disastrous situation and liabilities that were passed on to the Regional Government led by the PSD/CDS/PPM Coalition, as regards waste management in the Azores, and therefore, a higher level of responsibility would be expected in his statements.