Antigua’s new government rules out a recycling centre at the entrance to Caleta and makes land available in the industrial estate

The proposed site for the recycling centre differs from the one in the planning file inherited by the current governing group. The previous proposal placed the facility at the entrance to Caleta de Fuste, next to the bus station, but the new municipal administration decided to rule out that location.

“We don’t think a recycling centre is suitable at the entrance to a tourist area, a population centre,” Alberto said in an interview with La Voz de Fuerteventura. He explained that the Urban Planning Department had proposed a municipal plot in the Costa Antigua industrial area as an alternative.

According to the councillor, the proposal was approved by the waste department of the Fuerteventura Island Council. The land transfer could not be included on the agenda of the most recent plenary meeting because of time constraints. The municipality plans to bring the file to the next meeting so the land can be made available to the island authority.

Alberto also says funding is available to move ahead with the facility. “The councillor has already told us there’s money for the project and construction — around €400,000,” he said.

The municipality currently has no recycling centre. The councillor says opening one would help prevent bulky waste from being left beside containers and give residents an alternative within the municipality.

Perception of safety improves along the coast

Safety has also been among the new government’s priorities, particularly in Caleta de Fuste. Several deployments of regional units have taken place on different dates in recent months, involving searches, arrests and a visible street presence, he said.

There has also been coordination between the Local Police, the Canarian Police and the Guardia Civil. Alberto says the increased presence is particularly noticeable in Caleta de Fuste and maintains that the feeling of insecurity has diminished, although he gave no specific figures during the interview to quantify that change.

He acknowledged that staffing levels at the Local Police remain a weak point. Antigua currently has 14 officers, and David Alberto believes 30 to 35 would be needed to provide a normal service in all the villages and reinforce the tourist area, “which is where we have the most conflicts, the most activity and the most nightlife in the municipality”.

“We knew this was a sprint against the clock… we have to show that the change was worth it”

Reflecting on the months since the change of government last June, Alberto acknowledged how intense the period had been, with a limited timeframe and numerous outstanding issues.

“We knew this was a sprint against the clock; there was a lot to do and very little time, and we have to show that the change was worth it,” he said.

The issues he listed included healthcare infrastructure, affordable housing, sports facilities, cleaning, road surfacing and children’s playgrounds. The councillor said “important little steps” had been taken in recent months, while acknowledging that many projects would need more time to complete.

“Nor should anyone expect us to do in this short time what they haven’t done, or haven’t wanted to do, over the past 10 or 11 years,” he said.

Asked about his political future and whether he might stand again in the next municipal elections, David Alberto declined to confirm a candidacy, leaving the decision to his organisation.

“That also depends on people, the party and so on. I’m at the party’s disposal, and wherever it wants me to be, when the time comes, I’ll try to be there,” he said.

The councillor said Coalición Canaria in Antigua has an active organisation, noting that 38 people attended its most recent Local Political Council meeting. “We have a living party,” he said, adding that the organisation was already approaching the next municipal elections.