The PSOE of Lanzarote has denounced that the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, intends to approve a 15% increase in the price of water to allow Canal Gestión to transfer the integral water cycle contract to the companies FCC and Aqualia, in an operation that once again harms the public interest and makes citizens pay for the cost of failed management.
The insular secretary of the PSOE of Lanzarote and deputy in Congress, María Dolores Corujo, has warned of the "gravity" of this decision, which she considers "unjustified and profoundly damaging to Lanzarote"
“Oswaldo Betancort intends for the people of Lanzarote to pay 15% more for water to facilitate the exit of Canal Gestión, a company that has failed to meet its commitments, has deteriorated the network, and is now leaving without assuming responsibilities,” Corujo stated.
The socialist leader has been forceful in pointing out that "the operation is tailor-made for Canal Gestión. It facilitates their exit and, moreover, they retain the right to claim more than 30 million euros from public institutions, which represents an incomprehensible decision that once again places citizens in a position of absolute defenselessness".
Months of "occultism and decisions behind citizens' backs"
The PSOE has also denounced the "obscurantism with which the president of the Cabildo has managed this operation". As Corujo explained, Betancort has had the offer of contract assignment since last November 12 and has had the proposal for a tariff increase on his desk since January 16, "without having transparently informed the town councils or the citizens".
“We are facing a decision that has been attempted to be managed in silence for months, hiding key information and without giving public explanations about a water price increase that will directly affect thousands of families and businesses in Lanzarote,” he/she/it has denounced
Canal Gestión leaves "after years of non-compliance"
The PSOE has recalled that Canal Gestión abandons the contract after a period marked by "serious breaches, including the increase in water losses in the network, the lack of execution of committed investments, and the deterioration of essential infrastructures, such as the desalination modules, some of which are currently paralyzed".
“Canal Gestión is leaving after having deteriorated the system, without fulfilling the committed investments and leaving a service in worse conditions. And instead of demanding responsibilities, Betancort facilitates their departure and intends for the cost to be borne by the citizens,” Corujo has stated.
The socialist general secretary has warned that the PSOE of Lanzarote will defend the general interest and demand transparency in a matter that affects an essential service for the island"Water cannot become the price that citizens have to pay to rescue a company that has failed to meet its obligations. Lanzarote cannot bear the consequences of mismanagement while the concessionaire is protected. The Cabildo has the obligation to defend the public interest, not to facilitate operations that harm the island and benefit those who have failed," Corujo concluded.