Rui Moreira accuses the Ministry of Defense of “absolute disregard for reality”

The mayor of Porto said on Tuesday that the defense ministry’s letter about military facilities being occupied by drug addicts is “an absolute disregard for reality” and demonstrates that the state lives “alienated” from the problems of its citizens.

“This [carta] it is an absolute disregard for reality,” Luce Rui Moreira said in a statement.

The mayor considered that the response of the guardianship authorities to a letter sent to them on January 26 about the seizure of military facilities by drug addicts indicates that “the central government lives completely detached and alienated from the problems we face.” [cidadãos] we are facing.”

“I never thought that the minister would take on a letter of this kind, when we draw his attention to something completely obvious, that everyone understands, is happening, in what, deep down, we ask the state, in what belongs to you to ensure normal democratic functioning,” he stressed.

Rui Moreira also said that the response of the guardianship authorities shows that “what belongs to the central state is like an island in the city”, although he believes that the state bears increased responsibility in this matter.

“The minister says that they are conducting checks there, but I don’t know what kind,” he said, noting that he saw the answer of the Ministry of National Defense “with bewilderment”.

“This is largely due to the performance of state functions. I have a mandate from the population, which is currently being questioned by the central state,” he added.

In a letter sent on Monday to Rui Moreira, and which Lusa had access to on Tuesday, Defense Minister Helena Carreiras thanks the mayor for the letter and the report, which she believes “naturally everyone should be concerned about.”

As in the response sent by the Ministry of National Defense to the Lusa agency, the minister clarifies that the property distribution process is “at the final stage” and that the completion of the process will allow “to complete the task as important.” as the provision of affordable housing for rent, but also to put an end to possible situations of inappropriate occupation.”

The Ministry of Defense of Luz said that the transfer of military facilities in Porto, occupied by drug addicts, under the affordable rent program of the Institute of Urban Housing Rehabilitation (IHRU) is at the “final stage”.

The Military Technical Barracks, a facility administered by the General Directorate of National Defense Resources, was transferred to the IHRU Affordable Rental Program after Trem do Ouro and Dom Lordelo do Ouro on 16 September 2021.

“The settlement of the registration was carried out recently, after a topographic survey, which involved, inter alia, in December 2022, the technicians of the municipality of Porto, and the Ministry of National Defense is currently awaiting notification of the creation of land rights. , by the ISHR, after which the property will be transferred to the aforementioned institution,” he adds.

The ministry points out to Luce that the site has been the subject of several interventions to prevent people from entering, such as “bricking up gaps and blocking possible entrances”, as well as patrols by the army. .

Despite the interventions, the facilities have “become the target of incursions and vandalism,” the ministry said, which believes that completing the necessary property processing procedures will “accomplish the important goal of providing affordable housing for rent, but also put an end to potential situations of illegal occupation.”

In a letter sent January 26 to the Minister of Defense, to which Lusa had access, Porto Mayor Rui Moreira called for action to be taken to address the “serious security problem” of the military service barracks and surveillance house, places frequented by drug addicts.