The Government of the Azores has decided to transfer to the Region three buildings that "have clearly ceased to be used for the public state duties and services assigned to them."

The decision is included an order issued by the Vice-President that was published today in the Official Journal. It covers the Grená estate on the shores of Furnas Crater Lake, São Miguel Island, an building in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, and a building in the village of S. João, Pico Island.

"The Political and Administrative Statute of the Azores has always embodied the prerogative that the properties under the private domain of the Portuguese State in regional territory that are not assigned to state services will be transferred to the private domain of the Region."

The Vice-President stressed the existence of buildings that are “abandoned and in a state of severe degradation," such as the case of the three buildings in question. The government official added that this situation gives taxpayers "a picture of neglect and lack of interest the preservation of public assets."

According to the order signed by Sérgio Ávila, the State "has never given any use" to the Grená estate, which demonstrates the "disregard for its location - on the shores of Furnas Crater Lake - and the surrounding landscape."

As for the building in Rua de Jesus in the village of Sé, Angra do Heroísmo, where "the support services of the then Minister of the National Government for the Azores were once installed," the order states that it is currently "vacant due to the transfer of these services to another building." The same happens with the building where the Office of the Customs Police was once installed in the village of São João, municipality of Lajes do Pico.

"These situations have lingered for years. Therefore, we may assume that the buildings in question are no longer used for State services. In this regard, the Region, based on its Statute, has the right to transfer those buildings to its private domain," says the document.

In his order, the Vice-President of the Government mentions that the Regional Government sent an official letter on May 13 to the Minister of State and Finance. However, "it has not received any answer, despite the request for a swift answer."

According to the order, it was determined, that 30 days after the notification, "the Regional Directorate for the Budget and the Treasury, through the Heritage Services, should move forward with the transfer of the aforementioned buildings to the Autonomous Region of the Azores; they were part of the State's private domain and were transferred under the terms of the Political and Administrative Statute of the Autonomous Region of the Azores to the Region's building heritage. This decision was implemented with the application of the deadline stipulated for complaints or objections to the administrative justification process and the notary justification process of property rights, respectively."