Concerns Raised Over Inactive Inclusion Centre in Lanzarote
The Socialist Group in the Lanzarote Cabildo has called attention to the underutilisation of the Insular Inclusion Centre, located in the former Daos school in Puerto del Carmen. Despite the local government paying €20,000 a month in rent, the centre has remained largely inactive in its first year.
Ariagona González, the Socialist spokesperson, stated that overall costs—including maintenance and the IGIC tax—have totalled around €300,000 since the lease began. She highlighted that this investment lacks a proper public programme to support vulnerable individuals and groups, which the centre was designed to assist.
González criticises the government led by Oswaldo Betancort for failing to implement any meaningful activities, despite initial announcements of the centre’s importance for social inclusion. “Every month, €20,000 of public money goes towards an empty building,” she remarked.
The contract for the centre specified that it was to serve as a versatile space for training, job placement, and support for vulnerable groups. It was also intended to facilitate social work and act as a community hub.
González described the first year as a management failure. While the space has been temporarily used by various associations, this does not equate to a sustained public initiative. The government had ambitious goals for the centre, aiming to address disability issues and support families, but a year later, these objectives remain unfulfilled.
She also recalled that the Cabildo considered purchasing the property before opting for the lease, which she believes should have been backed by a solid project and planning from the start.
In a recent session of the Cabildo, González pressed the responsible councillor for details on the centre’s activities over the past year, receiving vague responses without specifics on what has been accomplished.
