Madeira News Blog

(15th September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Câmara Loses Revenue – Funchal council charged tax to the Pestana Hotel Group at the start of an unconstitutional regulation. As a result, 15 years after, it is forced to return 255 thousand Euros’. It’s an old case, dating back to December 1994, when the boss of the Pestana Group was told that the câmara had determined the payment for council tax had been established at over €255,000 for the division of lots at the site of Quinta Leacock. The local authority considered that such a fee was payable under the Regulations of Fees and Licenses, passed by the council on 9th May 1994. The Pestana Group argued that the site, intended for the construction of the ‘Pestana Village’, was exempt from the regulations, and first appealed to the courts in 1996. From there it gets complicated and detailed, but in a nutshell, 13 years after the initial court case, the Pestana Group has now won its battle, and is now free to recover the payment which should never have been made.

Today’s main front page photo shows a concerned lady pointing up at the scenic rock face in front of her : ‘Houses And Road At Risk In Madalena – The report of LREC confirmed the evident signs of ‘instability’ in the rock face’. A cliff face with obvious signs of instability is causing concern in Madalena do Mar. It’s the part between sítios da Palmeira (above) and Banda d`Além (below) in the general area of the bathing complex to the west. It is causing particular concern, as in the event of a collapse, the buildings above could also be sent plummeting. The findings are revealed in a report by the Regional Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LREC), who were on site to assess the conditions of the problem area located slightly ahead of the mouth of the tunnel that leads to Calheta, almost opposite the access ramp to the local beach. A spokesman from Ponta do Sol council tries to reduce the fears saying that "the opinion is just a warning. There is nothing [danger] imminent". However, the council is working with a housing organisation "trying to find alternative space" for residents in the danger zone, because says the council president, "perhaps not to do ‘the devil contrives’ and we have there another problem in our hands" (as a rule, I try and avoid translating such sayings or expressions). The assessment by LREC was triggered by an application for a building permit for a block of 12 apartments, an application that was understandably refused in the circumstances. Amongst the recommendations of the LREC to stabilise the rock face are dynamic barriers, high strength mesh, and where possible steel and concrete reinforcement, as well as the building of a wall lower down to retain falling rocks. The report also warns of the danger of carrying out the costly work, which in itself might trigger some problems, and the dangers of continuing erosion through atmospheric conditions. Rui Marques, council president, who is a qualified engineer, believes that the LREC report is "just a warning of the possibility and not an imminent situation. The opinion is more about prevention, with care needed not to scare people", he said.

’87% Of Candidates Get Placements In The First Phase Of Higher Education – Just 187 Madeiran students didn’t get through’. It is the lowest number in recent years, with only 187 students not placed in the first stage of the competition for access to Higher Education. 87% of the candidates who competed on Madeira for a place in the Portuguese universities were selected. Until this Friday, the 187 students who were not placed in the first round of applications, can still compete for vacancies that remained unfilled.

Today’s sport headline : ‘Award For Dinis – The awards ‘Diário / Powerade’ will be delivered today, distinguishing also the dedication of Dinis Aveiro to regional sport’. A posthumous ‘career award’ is to be made to Dinis, for his contribution to sport on Madeira, and in particular his club ‘CF Andorinha’. Always the last to leave after training, putting away the equipment, always with a smile, and an urge to monkey around, he was a true example of dedication and love for his football club. Then at the weekend, he was always off to watch his football team Marítimo. Not a name many readers will recognise for sure, but you might of heard of his son, Cristiano Ronaldo.

A group of mothers from Câmara de Lobos are threatening to stop their kids going to school, because despite living some way away from the school their children attend, they are not able to receive subsidised but passes. Yesterday morning, the group tried to get a reaction from the school and the Department for Education and Culture, but without success, and now they threaten that their children, aged between 10 and 15, will not go to school unless there is a solution to the problem. The golden rule seems to be ‘one kilometre’ away to qualify for a subsidised bus pass (normally costing €43 a month in this case), but it seems that schools have some say in the matter, taking into account distance, roads [existence?], and even steep slopes. With ‘back to school’ next week, and elections that following Sunday, probably something will be done very quickly to pacify matters and keep the voters happy.

‘Serra d’ Água Will Be A Mini European City’. President Jardim highlighted the "notable unban regeneration" in Serra d’ Água in recent years, during the inauguration of the new plaza (pictured) and public park of the parish. Alberto João Jardim went as far as to compare the location within the region of Ribeira Brava to "any well developed small town in Europe". The parish is now equipped with a multifunctional space especially designed for leisure and entertainment, with an amphitheatre, a playground, a bar with a terrace, and an underground car park of two floors with the capacity for 59 cars. €1.7 million has been spent, and further investment is promised.

‘The number of cancer patients has increased’. Following yesterday’s headline in the Diário about the lack of resources and conditions for cancer patients attending hospital in Funchal, with some having to go private for scans, the Regional Secretary for Social Affairs assures that the prevention of cancer, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer patients, are priorities of the Madeira Government. However, it is also true that "the number of patients with cancer has been increasing alarmingly". He assures that works are planned to expand, and points out the recently opened Radiation Therapy Centre, and also the new centre for the Volunteers of the Portuguese League Against Cancer. The Secretary states that the situation will change substantially after the expansion work in the Department of Hemato-Oncology. At that time, there will be a ‘Unit for Pain’, as well as better equipment to make diagnostic tests.

(4th September). ‘Movements Grow In The Airport – Madeira better than Lisbon, Porto and Faro in August’. Clearly Madeira doesn’t compete with the 3 main airports in Portugal in terms of numbers, but in term of growth (or recovery) the figures were promising last month with a growth in aircraft movements and passenger numbers, something no other continental Portuguese airport achieved in either measurement. The result is mostly down to increased domestic passengers, that are offsetting losses for UK and German markets, but improvements have also been noted from other countries including Sweden, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, France, Netherlands and Venezuela. In the case of those last 4 countries, new or increased flights have been responsible. The year end outlook is optimistic for Madeira Airport. Continued passenger growth from Lisbon and Porto, new SATA flights to Stockholm and Copenhagen, a new flight from Paris from Aigle Azur, the possibility of Easyjet restarting suspended flights from London Gatwick, and speculation that Air Berlin might start an operation to come here covering 10 or more German airports. There is also a little optimistic news on some charter flights restarting. Also East European visitors are expected to grow, as connections to the continent are now available in Russia and Poland. Porto Santo Airport is unfortunately a different story, as the chart shows, with not much positive news on the horizon. Also discussed yesterday on the news was the possibility of flights from Ryanair to Madeira.  

‘Bernardo Spoke About Madeira To The President Of Ryanair’. Secretary of State for Tourism, and Madeira’s head-of-the-list for the socialist party, Bernardo Trindade, met yesterday with the chairman of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary. The ‘can I have a word in your ear guv’ happened after the inauguration of a new Ryanair base at Porto. The discussion allowed the two to consider the importance of making connections to the tourist destinations of Portugal, now that there is a new base in operation. The first of such is the new connection Porto – Faro, due to start in the Autumn. Ryanair is very sensitive about operational costs, and obstacles such as pilot certification for Madeira, and high airport charges, would have no doubt formed part of the discussion, allowing Bernardo to highlight the fact that Easyjet managed both hurdles successfully. I reckon that Bernardo, ‘our man in Portugal’, has a done deal here … just watch this space.

(2nd September). ‘Page and Moy charters Athena for 2010 summer season’. Tour operator Page and Moy has exclusively chartered the cruise ship Athena for the 2010 Summer season. The 16,000 ton cruise ship has capacity for 550 passengers, has a swimming pool, two dining areas, a nightclub and a casino. During the charter the operator will run cruises from May 1st to the Baltic and Norwegian and Icelandic ports before offering cruises to Madeira, the Canary Islands, North Africa and Iberia in August. Page and Moy head of marketing Victoria Clarke said: “We’re delighted to be chartering the Athena for our summer 2010 programme". It’s been booked in for its next visit here in August 2010 for some time I believe, so someone knew this was going to happen long before this press release. I believe the Athena is registered on Madeira.

Finally, a late headline today : ‘Government Pays Homage To Nélio Mendonça And Rui Vieira – Funchal Central Hospital will now be called Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, and the Botanical Gardens will be called Jardim Botânico Engenheiro Rui Vieira’. These were the results of the deliberations of the council of government that met today, presided over by president Alberto João Jardim, to honour these men. As a reminder :

(blog 14th July 2009) – ‘Dr. Nélio Mendonça Passed Away – Ex-president of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira was hospitalised. The Government Of Madeira Is Going To Declare Today 3 Days Of Official Mourning’. The doctor specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and politician died aged 78 after illness. He was also president of Nacional Sports Club, and the founder of Madeira’s health service.

(blog 30th August 2009) – ‘Engineer Rui Vieira Died – The agronomist and politician was aged 83′. He was the first director of the Jardim Botânico (Botanic Gardens) of Funchal, and a Euro MP for the CDS / PP. He died yesterday of cancer.

(2nd September). Today’s main news headline  : ‘Hospital Cause Of Incurable Illness – A young person aged 24 went into Funchal Central Hospital Emergency Department six months ago with abdominal pains and left with a hospital infection. She lives today "a hell", without good health and scarred by the "inconclusive" surgical interventions. Her mother tells the drama and asks for help. "Hospital also kills" is the title of her letter of desperation’. About 8% of those admitted to hospital suffer ‘hospital infections’. Cutting a long story short the girl went to hospital in February suffering with abdominal pains and vomiting, and underwent various tests, including for pregnancy, but was diagnosed with a hemorrhagic cyst and a gall bladder problem, and was operated on and her appendix removed. According to the mother the diagnosis was not even certain. Anyway she contracted the infection, and since then the lives of patient and mother has been "hell".  The trips back and forth to hospital, including in Portugal, and the effects of the infection have been numerous. The Diário contacted the clinical director of the Regional Health Service (SESARAM), Miguel Ferreira, who said he is aware of the case, but said that with regard to such infections – (infections caught in hospital facilities) – "there is nothing to do". Infections are frequent, and are caused by bacteria which cannot be killed, he said.

The main photo today shows a couple of ladies cleaning and cutting bananas : ‘Madeira Government Takes Possession Of The Banana Factory – A conflict between partners initiates the ‘nationalisation’. The solution conflicts with community rules. Although it might finish with the dumping of tons of bananas in Meia Serra waste processing plant’. Madif, the company of the banana processing plant in Ponta do Sol, was hit by internal disputes, that should oblige the regional government to nationalise the company and take on the management. The plant has had problems since it was opened in 2004, with breaks in production and low productivity, the collapse of the banana cooperative, and the presence of a Spanish partner who wanted to change the terms of operation. Obligations arising from the aid given by the European Union further complicate the matter.

Today’s sports headline : "Television Rights Are A Scandal" – The president of the General Assembly of Nacional tackles the moment of the "4th best" in Portugal’. An interview with Miguel de Sousa, president of AG Nacional, who considers the football club to be the best in Portugal, outside the ‘big three’ on the continent. He says that Nacional and FC Porto are the fastest growing clubs in terms of fans, because of their successes. As regards TV coverage, he says the obligations placed on the clubs are a scandal when the media concentrates so much on the ‘big three’, and the revenue from TV coverage is not distributed fairly.

‘Eco’ Freebie Attracts New Customers- Around 50 people regularly use the ‘Eco Line’ buses, the trips that used to cost 50 cêntimos are now free’. One of the Eco bus drivers said that yesterday that "many strange faces" boarded his bus. The Funchal buses run Monday to Friday between 8 am and 8 pm, and Saturday until 2 pm. The 4 buses can carry 8 seated passengers, 11 standing, and also has space for a wheelchair.

Any table tennis fans? The Funchal Junior Open begins today. Everyone a Winner in Funchal (in English).

‘Madeiran On The Up On The TV In Latin America’. Gavo Figueira is an actor in a soap called ‘Oye Bonita’ in Columbia, that is also being shown in Venezuela, where he also had roles in several soaps. He is also a model and writes books. Born on Madeira, but raised abroad, he has been in acting since he was aged 12.

An unnamed ‘electrical shop’ in Fórum Madeira was under fire for what was showing on a large LCD TV screen. Dad said that his three year old son turned to him and said "what are those people doing", and he looked around to see a hard-core pornography film being shown on a huge screen in the shop. The man complained and the film was switched off. The Diário said that the manager was not available to explain the situation.

UPDATES : 

‘Three New Cases Of Gripe A Confirmed On Madeira’. 24 suspected cases of swine flu H1N1 were investigated in the last week, with just 3 with positive tests, taking the total to 33 since the first case. All three came from abroad.  Two cases admitted to hospital prior to the latest count are doing well, although one is stable in intensive care.

‘Council ‘Without Hands’ For Leakage Repair Work – On average there are 12 ruptures daily in the drinking water system in Funchal’. One case was reported a month ago, but still has water running off down the road, getting the locals wet as traffic passes by. The council is aware of the leak, but works have not yet started, and the repair teams have not been able to attend all the leaks reported in recent weeks. Funchal council says it has had to raise a tender contract to deal with the most urgent cases, almost all in the east of the city. A major contract will be awarded for pipework renewals, but that won’t happen until January. A counsellor explained that the new leaks are coming quicker because works in the west of Funchal raised the pressure in the water network.

‘Passenger Airlifted From The Armas’. A passenger was airlifted off the ferry on its way to the Canary Islands, and taken to Funchal Central Hospital. The navy rescue was undertaken Monday night by the Merlin helicopter, 112 km south of Madeira, to deal with a man who lost a finger on board the ferry.

The 24 year old man caught twice with stolen cars in just a few days, and without a driving licence, has been released again by a judge ‘awaiting trial’.

‘President On The Way Out Helps PS’. The PSD president of Santana, on his way out from the job which he has held since 1984, voted with the socialists on a proposal to lower property taxes (IMI) in Santana from 0.7% (of valuation?) to 0.6%. A rare event indeed for a social democrat to side with socialists on matters of public finance. The meeting had 2 counsellors from PS-M and 2 from PSD-M, but chairman Carlos Pereira had the casting vote to block the proposal had he needed it. The reason given by the socialists for the cut in IMI taxes is that Santana has high levels of population leaving the area, and those left are in an ageing population. The lower taxes might be an incentive for families to stay in the area.