Gent x Formentera has urged Artal Mayans, councillor of Sa Unió and representative of the Consell de Formentera on the Board of Directors of the Balearic Port Authority (APB), to demand tomorrow the withdrawal of the processing of the single concession of the port of La Savina. According to the party, this decision should be postponed until a participatory and transparent process is carried out. The APB plans to address this Wednesday, December 18, the tender for a single concession to manage the two docks of the port, a measure that has generated a unanimous rejection by the three main political groups of Formentera: Gent x Formentera, PSOE and Sa Unió.
Call for a public debate
On December 7, the three political groups sent a joint letter to the president of the APB requesting a halt to any decision that could compromise the future of the port without first consulting the public. In that letter, they stressed the importance of conducting an open and participatory procedure in the Consell d’Entitats, the body that brings together the voices of the different social sectors of Formentera.
Gent x Formentera considers that moving forward without this public debate is an “irresponsibility” that could jeopardize the future of the port of La Savina, a key infrastructure for the economy and transport of the island.
The role of Artal Mayans in the APB
As representative of the Consell de Formentera in the APB, Artal Mayans has a key role in the negotiations that will take place tomorrow. Gent x Formentera has requested that Mayans take a firm stance in defense of the island’s interests and demand the withdrawal of the concession process. In a statement, Gent x Formentera said, “Mayans must use his position to ensure that Formentera’s voice is heard. This is not just about infrastructure, but about the impact this decision will have on the local community.”
Concerns about the management model
The proposal for a single concession has raised concerns among political parties and social groups on the island. Critics warn that this model could centralize management, reduce competitiveness and increase costs for users. In addition, they fear that external interests will be prioritized over the specific needs of Formentera. In this sense, the joint letter sent to the APB emphasized that any decision on the management of the port must be consensual and reflect local particularities.
Political and social context
The port of La Savina is one of the most important infrastructures of Formentera, not only as a gateway to the island, but also as an economic and social engine. The management of its facilities has historically been an issue of interest to the local community, which is demanding greater participation in decisions affecting its future. This controversy comes at a time when the political parties of the Consell Insular have shown an unusual consensus to oppose the APB’s proposal. Tomorrow’s meeting will be decisive in defining the future of the port and the conditions of its management. Gent x Formentera has stressed that they are not opposed to the development of the port, but to the lack of transparency and public consultation in the process. “Citizens have the right to decide on an infrastructure that is essential for our island. This decision cannot be made without an open and participatory debate,” concluded the political organization.
