The deputy for the islands of Lanzarote and La Graciosa and island president of Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista (NC-bc), Yoné Caraballo, has exposed the situation of hundreds of Lanzarote residents who suffer from constant water cuts and "who see their right to access this essential good violated." Thus, the formation is even considering taking legal action to ensure that this right is fulfilled.
For Caraballo, "every day we wake up in Lanzarote with entire towns unable to access water, a situation that lasts for days or even weeks, affecting the quality of life and the pockets of residents who have to buy large amounts of bottled water for everyday habits."
According to the Canarian nationalist, "we are no longer merely talking about a technical or logistical problem, but about a constant violation of the population's right to access water, a right," says Caraballo, "interpreted by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the United Nations as the right of all humans to have sufficient, safe, acceptable, accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use."
Thus, NC-bc demands that the Cabildo of Lanzarote and the Government of the Canary Islands "take urgent and effective measures to mitigate this violation of the right to access water, given that this situation puts at risk the well-being of the population, their quality of life and their family economy."
"If this violation of a basic human right continues, NC-bc is considering organizing legal actions together with those affected to hold those responsible for guaranteeing this good to the population accountable, understanding that the ultimate responsible parties are the Island Consortium and the company awarded the service, Canal Gestión," says Yoné Caraballo, who recalls that "the promises of both President Fernando Clavijo, who promised immediate actions in water matters in his inauguration speech, and the President of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, who announced various investments, have come to nothing."
Democratize water
On the other hand, NC-bc proposes that the Island Water Consortium plan "an island network of public fountains that allows access to drinking water for the people of Lanzarote, in order to democratize water, mitigate the effects of heat waves and ensure the supply of residents who suffer from cuts and have to spend money on bottled water."
"It is not logical that, on an island like Lanzarote with high temperatures throughout the year, we do not have a network of public fountains accessible to citizens, especially when water is supposed to be public and is considered drinkable," says Yoné Caraballo, who sees in this proposal "a measure of social justice for the people of Lanzarote who pay their water bills monthly and do not receive the quality of service that they should."
