Formentera Council President Óscar Portas has expressed his concern for the future of the port of La Savina at a key moment for the renewal of its concession. In a meeting held this Friday with the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Javier Sanz, Portas has requested greater transparency in the process and urged the agency to inform the public directly about the details of the future public tender.
The meeting, held in Mallorca, was also attended by the First Vice President and Councilor for Mobility, Verónica Castelló, who supported the need to ensure that the future of the port responds to the interests of the island’s residents. Portas stressed that, despite the limited room for maneuver, there is still the possibility of making contributions that can improve the management and operation of the port.
The Consell demands citizen participation and transparency
During the meeting, APB’s president promised to travel to Formentera soon to explain the details of the concession to the Consell Insular and clear up doubts about its impact on the island. Portas has insisted that any decision must have a participatory and transparent process, leaving open the possibility that the matter is addressed in the Consell d’Entitats, although he expressed his concern about the haste with which APB intends to process the tender.
The Consell de Formentera is committed to a management model that listens to the concerns of society and guarantees a consensual future for the port facilities.
Bid challenge: Formentera rejects concession model
In parallel to these talks, the Governing Board of the Consell de Formentera has approved the challenge of the agreement adopted by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands for the tender of the port of La Savina. This move is in response to the decision taken at the plenary meeting of the Consell on December 20, which rejected the award of a single marina in the port.
The Consell has formally requested that the public tender process be halted until a public participation and consultation procedure is carried out to ensure transparency and respect for the interests of the local community.
In addition, the island administration claims that APB reserve specific spaces for private vessels up to eight meters in length, in order to prevent the future concession exclude local users in favor of large operators. It has also requested that the new management model ensures free competition, avoiding monopoly situations in the provision of port services.
Possible legal actions to stop the concession
The Consell de Formentera has agreed to initiate administrative and legal proceedings if necessary to oppose the tender promoted by APB. This includes the possibility of filing an administrative appeal prior to litigation, in case their claims are not met.
Óscar Portas has reiterated that the priority of the Consell is to defend the interests of the island and ensure that the port of La Savina does not become an exclusive space for large operators, but to maintain its function at the service of residents and the local economy.
