Drago Canarias Calls for Transparency on Fuerteventura Stratport, Accumulating Over €112 Million in Public Funds
The stratport, part of the Fuerteventura Technological Park, has incurred costs exceeding €112 million. This significant investment has raised eyebrows and sparked calls for clarity regarding its purpose and benefits.
Demands for Clarity
Drago Canarias, a local political party, is urging both the Canary Islands Government and the Spanish Government to provide greater transparency about the stratport’s objectives and operations. This facility, primarily designed for unmanned aircraft, is situated in Puerto del Rosario, a key area on the island.
According to the Spanish Government’s procurement platform, the stratport has amassed costs exceeding €112 million through more than 20 contracts. However, there has been a notable absence of information regarding the tangible benefits this investment will bring to the residents of Fuerteventura and the broader Canary Islands.
Highlighted Expenses
Among the notable expenditures is the “International Centre for Intelligent Emergency Management, Security, and Other Public and Private Services for the Development of Challenges under the Canary Islands Geo Innovation Program 2030,” which alone accounts for €28 million. This project aims to enhance emergency management and security services but raises questions about its implementation and effectiveness.
Another significant entry is the “Creation of Innovative Solutions in Areas of Biodiversity, Security, Emergencies, and Other Public Services through Aeronautical and Aerospace Platforms and Technologies,” which has a budget of €24.5 million. These projects are ambitious but require clear communication about their expected outcomes.
Concerns Raised
Drago Canarias spokesperson Aceysele Chacón has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding these expenditures. She stated, “This expenditure is concerning if it is not clearly explained to the public what the stratport is for and what benefits it will bring to the residents of Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, and all of the Canary Islands.”
Chacón emphasized that the party does not oppose progress or investment in research and new technologies. Instead, they advocate for initiatives that genuinely enhance the well-being of Canarians and contribute to the local economy. “Such infrastructure should positively impact the well-being of Canarians, as well as enhance learning and autonomy in our territory,” she noted.
International Operations
The stratport is not just a local facility; it currently hosts operations from various countries, including the United States, Abu Dhabi, Germany, Ireland, Turkey, Italy, and France. This international involvement raises further questions about the strategic implications of the facility.
Chacón remarked on the geopolitical context, stating, “In the current context of war and international instability, along with the strategic geographical location of the Canary Islands, the activity of a stratport launching drones into the stratosphere for surveillance is even more concerning.” She expressed fears that the facility could be used as a military base, potentially transforming the region’s role in international conflicts.
Lack of Local Training and Benefits
A significant concern raised by Chacón is the absence of local training programs that could enhance the employability of Fuerteventura’s residents. “For now, we have no evidence that the establishment of these infrastructures is accompanied by training programmes,” she lamented. This lack of local engagement could mean that the benefits of the stratport do not extend to the community.
Chacón stressed that initiatives aimed at improving local skills and employability would be crucial for ensuring that the stratport generates advantages for the territory it occupies. “We fear it will not contribute to the well-being of the locals but instead result in further importation of new residents who possess the necessary skills to work in what is supposedly a pioneering facility in Europe,” she concluded.
