The Renovating Movement of Tinajo (MRT) has requested in writing from the mayor, Jesús Machín, public explanations after the assembly of the Lanzarote Water Consortium approved last week a rise in water tariffs with the favorable vote of the Tinajo City Council.
“The governing group has decided to side with those who fail to fulfill their obligations instead of defending the residents of Tinajo,” stated Antonio Morales, MRT councilor, who considers “incomprehensible” to support an increase in water prices while problems in the service persist.
From the MRT they recall that the bad service that Canal Gestión has been providing, company responsible for water distribution in Lanzarote, is a constant concern among the residents of the municipality. “You cannot raise the price of water when there are constant cuts, unresolved breakdowns and lack of information to subscribers. Furthermore, exorbitant bills are reaching residents and Canal Gestión does not even attend to their requests or complaints,” Morales pointed out.
The party recalls that in February 2022 the Tinajo City Council unanimously approved, at the proposal of the MRT, a series of measures to urge both Canal Gestión and the Consorcio de Aguas de Lanzarote to comply with their obligations. Among them were demanding an adequate distribution service, informing subscribers about cuts and their reasons, quickly repairing breakdowns, and that the costs of water tanks derived from supply interruptions be assumed by the concessionaire company, in addition to contemplating possible legal actions in case of non-compliance.
“To this day no one has explained what has been done with that plenary agreement. The silence of the municipal government during these years shows that it has been complicit in the mismanagement”, assured the spokesperson for the MRT.
Likewise, from the Movimiento Renovador de Tinajo they show their concern because, according to their denunciation, the mayor has not provided the documentation requested last week and has urged the group to request it directly from the Consorcio de Aguas de Lanzarote. “It worries and surprises us that Jesús Machín has not given us the requested information, referring us to another administration when what we are asking for refers to actions carried out by the City Council itself. Furthermore, water competencies are municipal even if they are delegated to the Consortium, and precisely for that reason the Tinajo City Council has representation in said body. The City Council has the documentation and it is the municipal government itself and the Mayor's Office who must provide it,” explained Antonio Morales.
The MRT has re-registered the request, understanding that it could have been misinterpreted, insisting that it is “clear and concrete”. In it, it is requested that information be provided and certified regarding the actions carried out by the municipal government in relation to the motion unanimously approved in February 2022, already four years ago, as well as that the documentation discussed in the assembly where the increase in water rates was agreed upon be provided. “The only thing we ask for is transparency and clear explanations from Jesús Machín,” added Morales.
Likewise, they recall that both the Water Councilor of Lanzarote and the President of the Cabildo have publicly recognized that Canal Gestión has not complied with several of the commitments included in the contract. “If even the institutions themselves recognize the non-compliances, it is even more serious that the City Council votes in favor of raising the rates”, added the spokesperson for the MRT.
“The support of the City Council for this increase means crushing the residents of Tinajo and leaving them defenseless, while protecting those who have economic power,” stated Antonio Morales, who described the decision as “a real scandal.”
For all this, the Tinajo Renovating Movement demands from the mayor clear and detailed public explanations about the favorable vote of the City Council and about the actions carried out —or not— since the municipal agreement approved in 2022. “Jesús Machín has to show his face and explain to the residents why he has decided to support the defaulters and turn his back on the residents themselves,” concluded Antonio Morales.
