The Regional Government will award 250 thousand Euros to the Western Cooperative for "technical and management support with a view to ensuring its sustainability." This allocation will also contribute to the "development of a new image for products bearing the 'Uniflores' brand" in order to update it according to current market trends," said the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs.
Berto Messias spoke at the presentation of the Press Release from the Council of the Government that met on the island of Flores during the statutory visit. On the occasion, he highlighted the "very positive development that has been registered by the Western Cooperative" with the delivery of 1.1 million litres of milk by 15 members last year. This figure represents an increase of 4.7% over 2017 and "a turnover growth of around 12.7%."
The Regional Government will also support the Flores Agricultural Association with an allocation of 65 thousand Euros, an amount that will support the technical and economic promotion of farms.
In addition to this aid, the Regional Government has decided to authorise the purchase of a baler to "support farmers in forage-related operations," an investment of 35 thousand Euros, said Berto Messias.
As for Fisheries, the Regional Secretary stated that the Government will "launch the public tender for redevelopment and expansion works of Lajes das Flores Cold Storage Unit", an estimated investment of 470 thousand Euros." The contract will include the "installation of a freezing tunnel, a fish processing room and the upgrading of the building."
The Regional Government will also move forward with the procedures for the rehabilitation of the protection wall of Novo Port and the Fajã Grande Bathing Area, an intervention "aimed at the rehabilitation of the existing wall, the repaving of the embankment area and the upgrading of stairways. It corresponds to an estimated investment of 35 thousand Euros."
As for social policies, the Government has decided to support the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Santa Cruz das Flores by allocating 23,500 Euros to the Centre of Assistance and Support to Domestic Violence Victims.
"This financial contribution aims to continue the implementation of measures to prevent and combat domestic and gender-based violence, with special emphasis on preventing, informing, raising awareness, protecting and supporting victims," said Berto Messias.
In the area of housing, the Regional Government has decided to "launch the public tender for the allocation of 14 serviced construction plots in Terça Neighbourhood in Santa Cruz das Flores to applicants who meet the necessary financing conditions for home building. The tender will be "specially directed to young households from Flores Island with the aim of promoting their maintenance on the island."
In regard to professional qualification, the Government has decided to "authorise the opening of two courses under the Valorizar Network in April: a Skills Recognition and Validation course for secondary level and a Portuguese Language course for foreigners residing on the island. They will be attended by 27 people and 16 people, respectively."
In order to safeguard the historical and cultural heritage of Flores Island, the Azorean Government has decided to proceed with the restoration of the Altar of the Main Chapel, an estimated investment of nearly 20 thousand Euros, which will be followed by the recovery of side altars. These interventions are part of the restoration works of São Boaventura Convent.
Moreover, the Government will allocate about 50 thousand Euros to the "Ouvidoria" (group of parishes belonging to a municipality) of Flores Island for "recovery and preservation works of several churches," said Berto Messias.
The creation of a Shared Services Centre on the island of Flores to provide a more efficient public service, the interventions in areas damaged by bad weather, the preparation of the construction process of the Fundamental Geodetic Station on this island that will be part of the Atlantic Network of Geodynamic and Space Stations were other decisions taken by the Regional Government at this meeting on Flores. Moreover, it has also decided to move forward with the rehabilitation of roads, the redevelopment and expansion of water supply networks and with the provision of financial support to União Operária e Cultural Nossa Senhora dos Remédios da Fajãzinha Philharmonic Band.