The Regional Secretary for Transport and Public Works stated Tuesday that the Regional Government has done everything within its reach "to support Flores inhabitants," after the destruction caused by Hurricane Lorenzo, highlighting the constant monitoring of the situation, always in cooperation with local authorities.

Ana Cunha spoke to journalists after being heard at the Committee on Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. On the occasion, she pointed out that "from the very first moment, there has been a constant monitoring" of the impact on the local economy as well as of the implementation of the "temporary and necessary" transport model following the destruction of Lajes das Flores port."

In this context, Ana Cunha emphasised the work done by the group that includes the Regional Directorate for Transport, the Regional Cohesion Fund and the Regional Directorate for Support to the Investment and Competitiveness. The government official revealed that "this monitoring is taking place and the survey of the damages arising from this transport model is also being carried out," recalling that, immediately after the storm, the Government decided a series of measures to support housing, agriculture and trade.

"The situation is being monitored and the survey is being carried out in permanent collaboration with the mayors from both islands [Flores and Corvo]," said the Regional Secretary.

According to her, "we have undertaken a huge effort, as this was our commitment from the beginning, to ensure that local traffic makes all possible travels until Christmas so that there is as little impact as possible on Flores's economy and traders."

Ana Cunha recalled that the weather conditions have prevented the immediate release of an accurate schedule, "but as soon as we know the travel dates, we will announce them immediately."

The Regional Secretary also assured that "everyone, especially traders, will be compensated to the exact extent of the damage they have suffered as a result of these events. Objectively and clearly speaking, they will be compensated up to the last cent. In the face of this situation, we cannot create measures which, without taking into account the actual damages, will greatly benefit Flores to the detriment of the inhabitants of other islands. Now that everyone will be compensated up to the last cent, this has been the reality and the Regional Government's position from the very beginning, as reiterated by the President of the Government, in public statements, by the Vice-President and by myself."