Olhão’s mayor, the socialist António Pina, has asked the new Minister of the Environment, John Matos Fernandes, “to listen to the mayors.”
Pina was talking about the Ria Formosa island demolition programme perpetuated by Polis and hopes that some good sense can now be brought to bear and local views taken into account.
"Do not take any decision without first talking to us," said Pina who keenly is aware that Polis already has demolished 370 properties under its so called ‘renaturalisation programme’ which involves removing properties and their inhabitants in a bizarre attempt to return the islands to their natural state while destroying legitimate fishing and shellfishing communities.
Polis has managed to demolish half the targeted homes but the words of the former Minister for the Environment, Jorge Moreira da Silva, are still ringing in the ears of islanders, "this is just the beginning."
Earlier this year, the then minister Jorge Moreira da Silva let slip that it would actually be unfair to those whose homes were demolished to see other homes remain standing.
Mayor Pina went to attend a meeting of Polis shareholders, of which Olhão council is one, and was pleased to report that the decision on whether to extend the life of the organisation, for another year at least, again was postponed as the meeting was resceduled - the reason given was that the new government needed more time to evaluate the situation.
Polis, the Polis Litoral Ria Formosa Society, is the state owned body that has a mission to implement the measures of the Coastal Zone Management Plan (POOC) for the Ria Formosa area which includes the socially divisive demolition programme.
Wednesday saw another attempt at a general meeting of Polis to approve the extension of its activities for another year, but the meeting and the decision was postponed to December 30th, 2015 to give time for some clarity from the Ministry of Finance, as the Portuguese state is the majority shareholder in the organisation.
Gathered outside Polis’ headquarters were over 100 demonstrators, the vast majority are islanders from Farol, Faro, Armona, Hangares and Culatra islands all of which have been subject o demolitions or are in the firing line.
The head of Faro Council, Rogério Bacalhau, said "I will see what will happen," saying that it would be unjust if different islands receive different treatment.
Bacalhau has been roundly criticised by many of his constituents for his support of the demolition process with Faro island having 100 houses knocked down already. The former Minister of the Environment easily bought him off with the promise of some dredging and enraged locals have complained that Bacalhau has failed even to listen to their legitimate objections.
According to a survey carried out by Polis, of the 260 existing homes on the Farol and Hangares, only four houses are considered first homes and will escape demolition. The company's demolition programme has turned what should have been a progressive, helpful and inclusive organisation into one of the eastern Algarve's most despised bodies with Sebastião Teixeira as its president singled out for harsh local criticism
António Pina told reporters at the end of the Polis general assembly that as far as he was concerned, "At least there was the sense to postpone the decision to extend the Polis mandate and I hope there is consideration and respect for local councils which are shareholders in the company."
