The Investment Dilemma in Antigua: A Critical Look at Recent Government Budgets

In recent discussions on Fuerteventura’s Radio Insular, the candidate for the mayoralty from Coalición Canaria, Alberto, raised eyebrows by asserting that despite “historic budgets” at the central, regional, and local government levels—including the Cabildo and the Ayuntamiento of Antigua—these allocations have seemingly failed to translate into tangible benefits for the municipality. Alberto expressed disappointment, remarking that “an opportunity for gold has been squandered.” He was joined by Saúl González, the fifth candidate on their ticket, as they critically assessed a legislative period marred by a lack of investment across various sectors.

Much Money, Little Investment

The dire situation in Antigua is felt by its residents who continue to await crucial developments. For instance, plans for a new nursery have stalled, leading to visible neglect as only doors and windows have been boarded up. Moreover, the community’s playgrounds remain outdated and poorly maintained. Alberto lamented that children are deprived of safe, enjoyable play areas, with many lacking even basic shade.

In the realm of sports, residents are still waiting for the promised sports pavilion and swimming pool. With local events such as rally races having faded into memory, concerns mount over the future of facilities like the Arenas Sport Center, which is caught up in delays surrounding its second and third phases. “We’ve even lost an international beach volleyball championship,” Alberto added, highlighting a tightening grip of disappointment that many in Antigua are experiencing.

A Healthcare Crisis

The discussion shifts to health services, where the lack of a 24-hour emergency service at the Antigua medical center is weighing heavily on the community. Additionally, there’s the unfinished construction of the health center in Caleta de Fuste, an area that houses over 8,000 individuals crying out for better healthcare services. “Nothing has been done,” stated Alberto, showing a deep concern for the well-being of residents in response to these glaring issues.

The Forgotten Coastal Areas

Particularly poignant in their criticism is the focus on the tourist zones—Caleta de Fuste and Costa de Antigua. Alberto and González branded it as “the forgotten coast,” emphasizing the visible neglect that has left these areas lacking basic infrastructure such as sidewalks and streetlights. “The government of Antigua hasn’t paid any attention to our coast this entire legislative period,” they asserted.

To address these pressing issues, the candidates propose acquiring public land and revising the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU) to foster the development of a cultural center and enhance local services.

Addressing Urban Living Conditions

Another pressing matter for the candidates is the urgent need to address pending urban developments. They stress the importance of immediately initiating procedures for existing urbanizations that require municipal intervention because many of these areas are deteriorating rapidly, and residents are being impacted.

Cultural Drought: “Without Murgas or Rondallas”

The lack of investment has also had repercussions on the social and cultural fabric of Antigua. The candidates argue that the community has essentially “lost its culture” due to the absence of traditional events such as murgas and rondallas. The proposed fairground, which is still nowhere in sight due to administrative neglect, underscores a significant oversight in preserving cultural expressions and activities.

Alberto pointed out the cramped conditions of the Youth Center, advocating for a new infrastructure that accommodates various associations as well as library services. He suggested transforming El Portón into a visitor center to showcase and sell local crafts instead of its current inadequate setup, which fails to provide proper ventilation or lighting conducive for a library.

They also aim to rehabilitate unitary schools, transforming them into certified classrooms aimed at developing training programs that align with employment opportunities.

Calls for Reform

To make these pivotal changes, the candidates emphasize the necessity to overhaul the technical office, which has been delayed for two years in processing renovation requests.

As they gear up for the upcoming elections on May 28, the Coalición Canaria candidates are optimistic about achieving meaningful results, surmising that “the people want change.” They believe the outcome at the polls will dictate future negotiations and alliance policies, ultimately determined by the local political council of Coalición Canaria Antigua.

Antigua stands at a crossroads, with its residents yearning for revitalization and tangible improvements in both infrastructure and local services. The question now is whether the proposed reforms can usher in the change that so many are passionately advocating for.