No 1001 Monday 11th - Sunday 17th December 2023
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ORIHUELA MAKES LATE ATTEMPT TO SALVAGE ITS CHRISTMAS n Thursday the Orihuela Council finally awarded a contract for the provision of Christmas lights, albeit a month or more after other local municipalities, many of whom have already switched on. As expected the Orihuela council effort is to a much lower level and value than its neighbours.
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With just one contractor submitting a bid, the lights are finally being erected this week, with them due to be illuminated on Friday. However, the budget of 61,000 euros, will leave 20 districts without any lighting whatsoever, and the 30,000 residents of the Coast with just symbolic decorations. Meanwhile, both Elche and Torrevieja have each spent in the region of 400,000 euros on their Christmas lighting, which have been lighting up their streets for the last 2 weeks. Essentially, what the budget will allow in the Orihuela municipality will be just 15 arches and 55 LED projectors which will be distributed in an area of more than 365 square kilometres. The councillor responsible, Rocio Ortuño has apologised to the residents of the districts, some with more than 3,000 residents, while the opposition of PSOE and Cs has attacked the government's management of the contracts calling for the councillor, a close family friend of the mayor, to be dismissed.
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