A friend has written his thoughts about the Ferry which is being shared across social media.
No Ferry to the continent: corruption or nepotism?
After having spent quite some time in the beautiful island of Madeira, I think it is time I put some thoughts to paper concerning a problem that many have already identified: the lack of an affordable ferry to the continent. Much has already been written, but maybe it is useful l to express a number of things in English, to enable the foreign inhabitants, permanent or temporary, to understand, if they do not or not sufficiently understand Portuguese.
It seems incredible that everything seems to be done by the regional government to inhibit the re-installment of the ferry service from Madeira to the mainland. Of course, all is less incredible if you consider there must be interests they try to keep hidden from the public. The main bearer of these interests is not difficult to guess: the Grupo Souza, which has the monopoly of maritime transport to and from the island, and to and from the sister Island of Porto Santo. It is also not difficult to understand they wish to keep this monopoly. More complicated is finding the answer to the question why this monopoly continues to be not only tolerated, but even facilitated by the governors. What are their interests? If this question would be investigated by an independent institution with sufficient jurisdiction, this should not be rocket science to find out. Why did Mrs. Estudante, about a year ago, have the nerve to say that there is no need for a ferry as there already is a maritime link to the mainland? With this, she could only have meant the Grupo Souza. Time to check her out a little, I should think. But it seems nobody asks for this. And why is the new government inventing new excuses on a weekly basis to slow down the process to get a new ferry? Time to try and find out, I should think. There is no apparent proof, but all this reeks of nepotism and corruption.
Still, nothing is visibly done to find all these hidden interests out. Why is that, I ask myself? I simply believe there is not enough pressure from the public. I have found these last couple of years, and I certainly do not mean disrespect, a congenital fear for all those who seem to be better educated, wealthier, higher placed people, probably a lasting inheritance from past dictatorship.
Example: my partner and I stayed with a Portuguese friend. When we were outside on the balcony talking, she asked us not to speak loudly. When we asked her why, she answered: the neighbor’s son is a lawyer. We laughed our socks off, but afterwards, we gave it some thought. If this is a common mentality, no wonder so few Islanders speak up against this apparent nepotism (if it isn’t corruption).
I have not ventilated my thoughts earlier. Simply because I felt that, as a guest in this beautiful Island, I should respect the Island’s ways. But on second thought, I considered that, if my money (my nationality is Dutch, and we are a net contributor of the EC) can be used to pay for the Island’s infrastructure (I am more than OK with that); and for ridiculous and useless prestige projects like the failed Lugar de Baixo Marina (with which I am NOT OK), I repeat, if my money is good enough, I can very well say my piece. I think it is high time the people of Madeira stop bending for the existing politics and demand to be listened to. If you don’t, you only permit them to go on putting their own interests before yours, as they have done for a long time. And April 25, 1974 might as wel not have happened. After all, this is 2016 Europe, and even though there are lots of bananas here, I refuse to believe Madeira to be a banana republic. Right?
It seems incredible that everything seems to be done by the regional government to inhibit the re-installment of the ferry service from Madeira to the mainland. Of course, all is less incredible if you consider there must be interests they try to keep hidden from the public. The main bearer of these interests is not difficult to guess: the Grupo Souza, which has the monopoly of maritime transport to and from the island, and to and from the sister Island of Porto Santo. It is also not difficult to understand they wish to keep this monopoly. More complicated is finding the answer to the question why this monopoly continues to be not only tolerated, but even facilitated by the governors. What are their interests? If this question would be investigated by an independent institution with sufficient jurisdiction, this should not be rocket science to find out. Why did Mrs. Estudante, about a year ago, have the nerve to say that there is no need for a ferry as there already is a maritime link to the mainland? With this, she could only have meant the Grupo Souza. Time to check her out a little, I should think. But it seems nobody asks for this. And why is the new government inventing new excuses on a weekly basis to slow down the process to get a new ferry? Time to try and find out, I should think. There is no apparent proof, but all this reeks of nepotism and corruption.
Still, nothing is visibly done to find all these hidden interests out. Why is that, I ask myself? I simply believe there is not enough pressure from the public. I have found these last couple of years, and I certainly do not mean disrespect, a congenital fear for all those who seem to be better educated, wealthier, higher placed people, probably a lasting inheritance from past dictatorship.
Example: my partner and I stayed with a Portuguese friend. When we were outside on the balcony talking, she asked us not to speak loudly. When we asked her why, she answered: the neighbor’s son is a lawyer. We laughed our socks off, but afterwards, we gave it some thought. If this is a common mentality, no wonder so few Islanders speak up against this apparent nepotism (if it isn’t corruption).
I have not ventilated my thoughts earlier. Simply because I felt that, as a guest in this beautiful Island, I should respect the Island’s ways. But on second thought, I considered that, if my money (my nationality is Dutch, and we are a net contributor of the EC) can be used to pay for the Island’s infrastructure (I am more than OK with that); and for ridiculous and useless prestige projects like the failed Lugar de Baixo Marina (with which I am NOT OK), I repeat, if my money is good enough, I can very well say my piece. I think it is high time the people of Madeira stop bending for the existing politics and demand to be listened to. If you don’t, you only permit them to go on putting their own interests before yours, as they have done for a long time. And April 25, 1974 might as wel not have happened. After all, this is 2016 Europe, and even though there are lots of bananas here, I refuse to believe Madeira to be a banana republic. Right?
Corruption, corruption, corruption. Madeira has plenty of it with the fat cats getting fatter every day. Money wasted left, right and centre when it could be put to much better use not only with a ferry service to the mainland, but also in providing a better infrastructure to islanders that will see them able to find jobs and afford a house to live in and food to feed the family. Madeira is a beautiful island with much to offer to those with the money to support themselves, but for endless families every day is a struggle and many live hand to mouth. The government and all those employed within it need a thorough investigation to see just how many are receiving back-handers rather than working towards a better future for the island and its inhabitants.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Emily, the new President seemed full of ideas but nothing is changing, probably to busy with all his back handers....
ReplyDeleteandd filling his own pockets I presume !
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