The Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote has denounced that the island's president, Oswaldo Betancort, has added new expenses to the "controversial" trip to Texas, including the hiring of a personal photographer for 10,000 euros and the transfer of five senior political officials: three councilors and two island directors.
“Oswaldo Betancort has become the official tourist of Lanzarote, and he does so with public money. He goes on tour with his photographer and entourage while here we cancel services, suffer water cuts and the Cabildo is in technical bankruptcy”, denounced the socialist councilor Benjamín Perdomo.
The PSOE of Lanzarote recalls that this institutional trip has cost the pockets of the people of Lanzarote 254,370 euros, which were awarded to a private company, through a negotiated contract without publicity or possibility of real control.
Now, 10,000 more euros are added for a personal photographer, a completely unnecessary expense in a context of economic crisis and cuts. The displacement of three councilors and two island directors is not justified. This is not economic promotion, it is personal promotion and pleasure trips paid for with everyone's money”, Perdomo reproached.
“The presence of the island's Minister of Education on this trip is especially incomprehensible, as she has no powers in foreign trade or in tourism or gastronomic promotion,” Perdomo stressed. “What does her participation bring to an event that, according to the Cabildo itself, is focused on the promotion of local products? No official explanation has justified her inclusion in the delegation, and her participation only demonstrates the lack of rigor with which this trip has been organized.”
In addition, the Socialist Group emphasizes that Lanzarote has been exporting wine, salt, aloe vera, organic and gastronomic quality products to international markets for years thanks to the institutional programs and agreements promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Proexca (Government of the Canary Islands).
“It was not necessary to put on a millionaire show. The serious and rigorous work that had already been done has made it possible to open markets, consolidate commercial relations and support the primary sector and the business sector without the need to put on a media show in Texas”, explained Perdomo.
The PSOE reiterates that while the island suffers a water emergency, a housing crisis and key projects for the sector are suspended, the president of the Cabildo continues to shoot political spending, accumulating advisors and trips that have no real return for the citizens.