The Council of Ministers declared on Tuesday of public interest the connection of the port of Motril with the Autonomous City of Melilla, as announced by the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, José Luis Ábalos, which for the PSOE implies the recognition of the Government of the strategic position of the port of Granada.
Due to the negative effects of the pandemic, the companies that had been providing the service communicated a few weeks ago that they were unable to continue providing the services without any consideration.
For this reason, the Government approved at the beginning of December a declaration in order to be able to process an emergency contract, which has recently been formalized and which guarantees the provision of the services of the Public Interest Lines with Malaga and Almería.
This temporary emergency contract ensures the necessary connectivity to guarantee the supply and mobility of the people of Melilla, while the tender for the urgent contract that will replace it is processed.
The declaration of the Melilla-Motril-Melilla line as a Public Interest Navigation Line allows the incorporation of this route into the public interest navigation line contracts that are tendered by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma).
This will make it possible to optimize services, in order to improve quality and benefits for the benefit of the traveler. The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine of Mitma continuously monitors the situation to guarantee the adequate connectivity of Melilla at all times.
With the consolidation of this route, the strategic role played by the Motril port in Andalusia is reaffirmed and, in addition, numerous jobs linked to the dock are guaranteed, as highlighted by the president of the Motril Port Authority, José García Fuentes a la Cadena TO BE.
García Fuentes wanted to thank the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda for his “support and struggle for so many years to make this decision a reality.”
The general secretary of the PSOE of Motril and spokesperson in the City Council, Flor Almón, has shown her satisfaction since, finally, the port of Granada will now be able to opt for the economic compensation to which Malaga and Almería have had access on their connection lines with Melilla, “something basic to be able to compete in equal conditions and to set a route that is profitable and has a great acceptance among its users”.
Almón has underlined the fact that many families depend economically on the activity of the port, which is recognized in this way “a historical demand”.
He highlighted “the rapid response” of Minister Ábalos to the request of the port of Motril, which the president of the Granada Provincial Council, José Entrena, has also welcomed.
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