The Algarve Free of Oil Movement (MALP) is staging another protest against drilling for oil off the Alentejo coast.The May 17th gathering, at 4:30 p.m. outside the Council building, is to highlight the imminent danger of the Galp-ENI consortium staring its drilling programme later this year.
MALP warns the Algarve population that, "the Galp and Eni oil companies have announced the Aljezur test well will be drilled shortly, so it is necessary for the people to stop the delivery of the Algarve territory and the Alentejo coast into the hands of the petrochemical industry."
The movement reminds locals that the oil exploration contract in the sea area off Aljezur was signed in 2007 by the former Minister, Manuel Pinho, "who is now accused of corruption while he was Minister of Economy during the administration of José Sócrates, who is also accused of corruption."
MALP also considers it "inadmissible" that the António Costa government should continue to ignore the urgent request for a hearing, sent to him after a meeting in Loulé in February this year where the Aljezur oil drilling plan was discussed by the region’s mayors, business associations, the Algarve’s tourist board and movements representing citizens.