NC denounces that low cost gas stations "paralyze" the right of Lanzarote residents to benefit from the fuel bonus

The president in Lanzarote, Yoné Caraballo, commented that “the price compared to Gran Canaria and Tenerife will continue to be higher and will not ease the burden on Lanzarote residents”

July 31 2024 (15:17 WEST)
Sheila Guillen with Yone Caraballo at the new low cost gas station
Sheila Guillen with Yone Caraballo at the new low cost gas station

Nueva Canarias denounces that "the PP and CC promote the opening of gas stations" with the aim of "paralyzing the right of Lanzarote residents to benefit from the 20-cent fuel bonus."

The parliamentarian and island president of Nueva Canarias (NC) in Lanzarote and La Graciosa, Yoné Caraballo, wanted to respond to the "grandiose" announcements of some leaders of the right-wing CC and PP in Arrecife, who valued the entry of up to three low cost gas stations in the capital and announced that the price of fuel on the island would drop considerably.

For the deputy, “the satisfaction of the conservative parties for the entry of this type of gas station in Arrecife aims to divert attention from the rejection by the Government of the Canary Islands and the PP and CC of the possibility that Lanzarote and Fuerteventura will benefit, as the Green Islands already do, from the 20-cent fuel bonus.” A fact, continues the Canarianist, “that shows that they are not willing to keep their word to the citizens of the Yellow Islands, but rather to confuse and buy time.”

According to Caraballo, “the PP and CC seem to be publicists for these oil companies that are setting up on the island because they see a profitable business in their cost and profit margin. Fuel is so expensive that they can afford to adjust prices at the cost of not offering other services or not generating direct employment.” But the truth, says Caraballo, “is that the price compared to the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife will continue to be higher and will not ease the burden on Lanzarote residents.”

That is why Yoné Caraballo will continue to demand a “fair treatment” from the Government of the Canary Islands for Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in relation to the living costs that the citizens of both islands have to suffer, and that the public bonuses that are already implemented in the western islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma be extended. Furthermore, the deputy believes that the entire population of La Palma is benefiting from the 60% reduction in personal income tax regardless of whether or not they were affected by the volcano, a fact, he points out, “that has an even greater impact on the inequality that the CC and PP government is carrying out between islands, and that is already being considered to be extended even to the island of La Gomera.”

Arrecife: asphalt and gas stations

For her part, the NC spokesperson in the capital, Sheila Guillén, regrets that the "only economic policy that the capital's government group (PP and CC) defends is counting how many gas stations are opened and how much asphalt they lay."

For Guillén, “this government group is pleased with an easy licensing economic policy lacking planning. It leaves the way open for speculators and large business chains to order Arrecife urbanistically and commercially to the detriment of the general welfare of citizens and local and neighborhood businesses.”

The Canarianist continues that “both CC and the PP deny local merchants the right to survive and offer customers nearby and quality services, in addition to promoting entrepreneurship, diversifying the economy and generating activity in alternative areas such as neighborhoods.”

In addition, she also points out that “the attitude of the conservative parties of using every corner of Arrecife's land to build gas stations or other infrastructures that are not aimed at putting the pedestrian as the protagonist of the city, means that the possibility of boosting the economy by up to 300% is being denied, given that it has been shown that cities that have improved mobility by adapting to bicycles and walking have had a return on investment of eleven euros for every one euro invested.”

Guillén maintains that academic studies indicate that “the less people drive, the more money they will have available to spend locally; it improves their physical health; it makes people happier; it reduces traffic and pollution; it makes neighborhoods gain vitality and a sense of belonging; and it generates social inclusion.”

“I am saddened that within a ratio of one kilometer there are four gas stations and no green, recreational or rest spaces. The PP and CC are giving a clear signal of what city they want, one in which asphalt, cars and easy and fast consumerism prevail. In short, a city to go out in the car, buy and go back to lock yourself in your house,” says Sheila Guillén.

Plenoil facilities in Arrecife. Fuels.
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