The VOX councilor in the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Óscar Pérez, demanded explanations this Friday for the suspension of the presentation of the so-called Nautical Tourism Revitalization Project for the Bay of Arrecife, initially scheduled for December 11, and warned that it is "another example of institutional propaganda without real planning and disconnected from the city".
Pérez has stressed that the companies in charge of the project have already received public funds, despite not even being able to hold an announced public presentation, which demonstrates, in his opinion, "an irresponsible use of citizens' money".
"The problem is not a specific delay, the problem is that there is no mature project, there is no urban planning, there is no environmental or social backing, and there is no city," stated the councilor.
From VOX, a warning is issued that these types of initiatives, promoted without integrating the neighborhoods or resolving Arrecife's structural problems, contribute to the rising cost of rent, commerce, and services, exacerbating the expulsion of residents and the pressure on a capital that already suffers from serious deficits in sanitation, waste disposal, and public services
Pérez recalled that neighborhoods like Altavista, Argana, Maneje, Titerroy, or San Francisco Javier remain abandoned, without effective transportation or a real connection to the bay, while projects focused solely on a "tourist facade for the photo" are promoted.
Regarding environmental matters, the councilor denounced the absence of environmental impact studies, carrying capacity studies, and compatibility studies with the current uses of the bay, the Charco de San Ginés, and the Arrecife coastline. "There are no reports on noise, water quality, seagrass beds, currents, or marine biodiversity. Without studies, there is no project, only a narrative," he stated
Likewise, Pérez questioned whether the Nautical Plan is linked to the Arrecife Subsidiary Regulations or not, and warned that “the capital cannot be transformed without urban planning”.
During his appearance, the VOX councilor demanded total transparency regarding the companies and consultancies hired and the cost of the project, the award criteria, the actual financing and committed funds, the roadmap, deadlines, and success indicators, the participation of the Arrecife City Council, neighborhood groups, nautical clubs, and fishermen, and the existence of real environmental assessments and public consultation processes"The SPEL depends politically on the Cabildo and its Presidency. We cannot continue spending public money on expensive PowerPoints that are never executed," he statedÓscar Pérez concluded by stating that Arrecife does not need propaganda, but rather planning, infrastructure, and respect for its neighbors:"While the real city falls apart, the capital is intended to be used as a backdrop. And that, once again, will end up being paid for by the residents with their wallets and their quality of life."
