The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism highlighted today the collaboration with Local Authorities in solving the problems of the population, ensuring that "the safety of people and property will always be a priority for the Regional Government."
 
"In this regard, we have been allocating technical and financial support to parish councils, through specific programmes, taking into account the various needs identified," said Marta Guerreiro.
 
As for the environmental area, the Regional Secretary highlighted that the island of São Jorge has benefited from conservation and maintenance interventions and the cleaning of streams, through the Eco Freguesias programme, besides the agreements signed with parish councils "whenever necessary."
 
"The agreement we are signing today with Topo Parish Council is another example," said the government official. According to her, this collaboration agreement provides for the construction of a 350-metre large sediment retention basin in Ribeira da Vila stream in Topo in order to prevent the clogging of the culvert.
 
Also, in the context of the Government's visit to São Jorge, the Regional Secretary visited the site of the construction works of protection walls, with an extension of 300 metres, in a section of the right bank of Ribeira da Beira stream, following the signing of a cooperation agreement with Velas Parish Council for the prevention of overwash occurrences.
 
"I would to reiterate that it is another collaboration with our parish councils with the aim of anticipating the emergence of possible problems," stressed the government official.
 
In addition, Marta Guerreiro also visited the site where the protection works of a slope overlooking the town of Velas, a contract work carried out by the Regional Directorate for the Environment.
 
This work is being carried out following a rock collapse on the slope overlooking the town of Velas, which occurred in March 2014 and moved a large number of rocks. They were deposited at the base of the slope and ended up hitting the annex of a house and a greenhouse as well as several agricultural fields.
 
"This 120-thousand Euro investment is necessary in view of the geomorphological instability of this area," Marta Guerreiro noted, stressing that "any investment in safeguarding the safety of the Azorean population is of utmost importance for the Government.
 
"We have invested throughout the Region in the improvement and safeguarding of the well-being of the population," namely in the management of the territory, water resources and waste," said the government official.
 
According to her, "it is important to always take into account" the protection of the environment and natural heritage. The island of São Jorge is "an example" representing a global investment over 7.5 million Euros in works carried out by the Regional Directorate for the Environment in these areas since 2011.