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Saturday, October 07, 2006
Tenerife tram's missing ten million euros
ABC report that neither the Cabildo (Tenerife Island Corporation) nor the opposition know where ten million euros, destined for the island's new tranvia (tram) project are. Though the Cabildo's vice president, José Manuel Bermúdez, says that the financing of the project - to unite the capital of the island, Santa Cruz with the city of La Laguna via this "modern" method of transport - is assured, the doubts over the economic resources to cover it have been a constant.
Last year, the Ministry of Promotion refused to contribute, so Canarian Coalition councilors, headed by Ricardo Melchior, went begging to the Ministry of Economy. The formula agreed, as part of the budget for 2006, was to destine ten million euros to the tram, but as part of agreements for road transport made between central government and the Government of the Canary Islands. The former would send the agreed amount to the latter and the latter would pay it to the Cabildo.
Socialist sources say that the Ministry of Economy has transferred the ten million to the Autonomous Community, but that it has not yet reached the Cabildo. So, where is the money? This leads socialists to question whether the regional government has allocated the funds to their general transport budget or to other ends.
Meanwhile, Canarian Coalition sources also say that the money is not yet in the Cabildo's possession, but not because the Canary Islands Government hasn't sent it, but because it isn't possible yet and says that the reason for the delay is that there isn't "legal support" and doubts that the Ministry of Economy has transferred it.
Who knows? Personally, I am sure the money will turn up, safe and sound and I don't suppose the slanging match of veiled accusations is anything at all to do with the fact that there will be elections on the islands next year? :) I wonder, did anyone think to ask the Ministry of Economy directly, if they think they have sent it or not?
Ni Cabildo ni oposición saben dónde están los diez millones del tranvía
Last year, the Ministry of Promotion refused to contribute, so Canarian Coalition councilors, headed by Ricardo Melchior, went begging to the Ministry of Economy. The formula agreed, as part of the budget for 2006, was to destine ten million euros to the tram, but as part of agreements for road transport made between central government and the Government of the Canary Islands. The former would send the agreed amount to the latter and the latter would pay it to the Cabildo.
Socialist sources say that the Ministry of Economy has transferred the ten million to the Autonomous Community, but that it has not yet reached the Cabildo. So, where is the money? This leads socialists to question whether the regional government has allocated the funds to their general transport budget or to other ends.
Meanwhile, Canarian Coalition sources also say that the money is not yet in the Cabildo's possession, but not because the Canary Islands Government hasn't sent it, but because it isn't possible yet and says that the reason for the delay is that there isn't "legal support" and doubts that the Ministry of Economy has transferred it.
Who knows? Personally, I am sure the money will turn up, safe and sound and I don't suppose the slanging match of veiled accusations is anything at all to do with the fact that there will be elections on the islands next year? :) I wonder, did anyone think to ask the Ministry of Economy directly, if they think they have sent it or not?
Ni Cabildo ni oposición saben dónde están los diez millones del tranvía
