The Lanzarote Socialist Group will present a motion at the next council meeting, demanding Oswaldo Betancort take action regarding ongoing issues faced by residents on Pedro de Fonseca Street. The group is urging him to press the Canary Islands Government for urgent repairs to the drainage system affecting the Arrecife-Tahiche road.
Councillor Benjamín Perdomo stated that there is “no room for excuses or institutional silence” and criticized Betancort for failing to lead on this matter to protect the interests of Lanzarote residents.
He said, “Oswaldo Betancort cannot simply state that this issue is beyond the council’s jurisdiction. It is his responsibility to advocate for immediate action from the Canary Islands Government. That is the role of an island president.”
Perdomo noted that local families have endured years of flooding and deterioration of their homes due to infrastructure issues that fall under the Government of Canary Islands’ responsibility. “Affected families do not understand administrative jurisdictions. All they know is that every time it rains, their homes are damaged while local authorities fail to provide solutions. This lack of response is unacceptable.”
He expressed concern over Betancort’s complacency, despite being from the same party in power in the Canaries. Perdomo believes it’s time to advocate for the island with the same urgency that other administrations demand funding. “When the issue lies with the Canary Islands Government, Betancort remains silent. Residents need a president who demands solutions, not one who acts as a shield for the regional government.”
As a result, the Socialist Group will push for a motion requiring the council to formally request the necessary works from the Canary Islands Government to permanently rectify the drainage system and prevent further damage from rainwater to local homes.
Perdomo concluded, “The council cannot resign itself to observing the problem from a distance. If Oswaldo Betancort wants to prove that he prioritises Lanzarote’s interests above party loyalties, he has the perfect opportunity in this meeting: to insist that the Government of the Canaries repairs the damage and offers a definitive solution to these residents. Anything less would be turning his back on them.”
