The Navy ordered the closure of the main mess (NCO’s mess) and mess hall at the Lisbon naval base in Almada after an internal audit found serious deficiencies in cleaning and hygiene, as well as some problems with structural degradation, it said CM Source of the Armada.
The military will begin eating lunch and dinner on ships and in other dining facilities, such as the Marine Corps and the School of Naval Technology. About 700 meals a day are at stake.
Since I knew CMThe inspection was entrusted to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy himself, Admiral Gouveia e Melo.
Inspections are also carried out in other departments of the Navy and are aimed at identifying administrative violations or, possibly, corruption crimes in the supply sector. And it was Gouveia e Melo who ordered the closure of the place after a “very unsatisfactory” inspection result, “mainly in terms of cleanliness, which is far below standards.”
Images to which CM access also reveals leaks in the walls and obvious structural damage.
The same source reported CM that while taking advantage of the closure for a “deep clean”, “minor renovations” will also be carried out and the goal is to “open as quickly as possible.”
However, the decision assumes that the ship’s staff will have lunch and dinner on board (only maintenance crews at night), and the rest of the crew at other times. The officers’ mess next to the Alpheite Palace may soon reopen.
The same mess and the canteen at the naval base in Lisbon have faced problems in recent months as the company contracted to do the cleaning fell behind on wages several times and employees went on strike several times.
A few weeks ago, a video appeared on social media showing pots and trays stacked in this kitchen.