The National Democratic Alternative (ADN) party is demanding the resignation of Jorge Santos, the Mayor of Ribeira Brava. This demand follows the mayor's response to criticism from the regional coordinator of ADN Madeira, Miguel Pita, regarding the accumulation of waste along the road above Boa Morte.
The party asserts that Miguel Pita was merely fulfilling his role of "civic and political oversight" by reporting the presence of garbage, debris, and abandoned items on land and public roads. According to ADN, this issue has persisted "for years" with informal resident complaints going unaddressed.
ADN vehemently rejects the accusation of "political opportunism" directed at Miguel Pita by the Mayor, viewing his reaction as an unwillingness to accept scrutiny. The party also highlights that the waste accumulation is not just an aesthetic concern but a public safety issue, particularly in forest areas during high fire risk periods.
Regarding the municipality's explanation that the waste piles resulted from a collection operation, ADN deems the practice unacceptable for safety reasons, even if the operation is legitimate. The party recommends using appropriate containers and same-day removal to mitigate fire risks.
