Alonso Miguel delivers water line maintenance equipment as part of the "A Minha Ribeira" project

June 17, 2022

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, delivered today equipment for the maintenance of water lines under the project "A Minha Ribeira", integrated in the program "Eco-Freguesia, Freguesia Limpa", to the parishes of Terceira island contemplated in 2021.

For Alonso Miguel, "the "Eco-Freguesia" programme has proved to be a fundamental instrument of cooperation between the Regional Government and the Region's Parish Councils in the management of waste, the promotion of environmental quality and the conservation of our natural resources".

The Regional Secretary took the opportunity to demonstrate the importance of this cooperation by referring that, "corresponding to the appeals of the Parish Councils, the Regional Government decided to reinforce the budget destined to the "Eco-Freguesia", for 2022, with one million euros, tripling the initially foreseen fund".

For the governor, "Parish Councils, due to their proximity and detailed knowledge of their territories and populations, are strategic partners and play, often with scarce resources, a fundamental role in the enormous challenge of maintaining the region's hydrographic system, which is, in fact, very extensive".

In this sense, "the "A Minha Ribeira" project aims to provide equipment, such as electric hedge trimmers and brush cutters, to train and assist Parish Councils in monitoring, maintenance and cleaning water lines," added Alonso Miguel.

In 2021, 140 parishes enrolled in the "Eco-Freguesia, Freguesia Limpa" programme, one hundred of which applied for the "A Minha Ribeira" project, thus ensuring intervention in more than 200 km of water lines in the Region.

These applications resulted in the attribution of this equipment to 30 Parish Councils, from seven Azorean islands, in an investment of about 20 thousand Euros.

Thus, the following ParishCouncils were distinguished with the attribution of this equipment, in 2021: Castelo Branco, Conceição, Flamengos and Pedro Miguel, from Faial; Santa Luzia, São Caetano, São Mateus and São Roque do Pico, from the island of Pico; Norte Grande and Urzelina, from the island of São Jorge; Almagreira, Santa Bárbara and Santo Espírito, from Santa Maria; Lajedo and Lajes, from Flores island; Achadinha, Algarvia, Lomba da Maia, Santo António and Sete Cidades, from São Miguel island; and Agualva, Cinco Ribeiras, Fontinhas, Porto Judeu, Quatro Ribeiras, Ribeirinha, Santa Bárbara, Santa Cruz, São Brás and São Sebastião, from Terceira.

For Alonso Miguel, "this type of action is increasingly relevant, especially in a context of climate change, whose effects have already been felt. These actions include cleaning works, the removal of waste abandoned in public spaces, interventions in water lines and on the coastline and the development of awareness and environmental education programmes and activities".

The Regional Secretary concluded by stating that "clean public spaces and unobstructed riversides, complemented by good practices by the populations, are fundamental aspects to reduce the risks of floods, landslides and soil erosion, contributing decisively to the protection of people and goods, and to avoid huge material and financial losses".