At the meeting, which took place in the Town Hall, the municipal executive questioned the Regional Government about the status of the RAEGE project, which, as early as 2010, provided for the installation of a Fundamental Geodetic Station on the island of Flores, an important project for the development of the municipality and the island, which provided for the creation of several jobs, as set out in the memorandum of understanding signed between the Government of the Azores and the National Geographic Institute of Spain 15 years ago. The project on the island of Flores has yet to be carried out, while the same memorandum provided for the installation of an identical station on the island of Santa Maria, which has been in operation since 2017.

Concerning transport, the municipal executive referred to the importance of resuming maritime passenger transport to the island of Flores, especially in the summer months, using the vessels used for this purpose in the Central Group of the archipelago, which has not happened for 5 years. Since Hurricane Lorenzo struck in 2019, destroying the island’s commercial port, no solution has been found for maritime passenger transport to the island of Flores, despite the construction of the pier and the Ro-Ro ramp.

With consequences for education in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, the municipal executive once again insisted on the urgency of carrying out improvement works on the Lajes School, proposing, once again, coordination between the Municipality and the Regional Government to carry out the necessary works, which will improve the currently very poor conditions of the infrastructure of the only school in the municipality.

The municipal executive of Lajes das Flores also expressed concern about the urgent need to create mechanisms to retain people on the island of Flores, particularly health technicians, noting gaps that are difficult to resolve without a real commitment to incentives for retaining specialized personnel. Still in the area of health, the Regional Government was alerted to the ongoing constraints on medical evacuations from Flores to the islands with hospitals, as well as to the difficulties experienced by the people of Flores in traveling to medical appointments.

Recognizing the importance of Caminho dos Rochões for the island’s accessibility and tourism, the municipality highlighted the need for progress and inquired with the Regional Government about the paving status, emphasizing its role in supporting one of the most visited roads between the lagoons, which is currently in serious disrepair.

The municipal executive of Lajes das Flores has made a commitment to all residents to work towards promoting the development of the municipality and will continue to convey to the Regional Government of the Azores the concerns it considers essential to the real growth of the city and the island, showing its willingness to work together with the Government when necessary.

From a Press Release by the Municipality

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.