June 2014 | Now 4000 FREE copies per month
A community newsletter for the western Algarve
Lagos Kiosks Spark Angry Campaign
By a staff writer
Lagos Câmara speedily put out an official communiqué explaining the rationale behind the constructions. It is seen as a response to the long-standing problem of unauthorised selling of goods on the streets of the historic centre. “It is a difficult issue to resolve ... It is necessary to reconcile all interests involved; those of vendors, local businesses and the general population,” Joaquina Matos, President of the Câmara said.
Moves by Lagos Câmara to build 20 kiosks on the pavement of the Avenida have been met with furious opposition from residents. Within hours of work beginning on the town’s main avenue, a Facebook campaign had been set up with an online petition which had attracted almost 1500 names when ‘Tomorrow’ was going to print. Residents first noticed a row of white tents on steel poles at the end of May which prompted concern across Lagos. The organisers of the petition are appealing for as many signatures as possible to spark a discussion with the Câmara which they hope will see the decision to build the kiosks reversed. The Facebook page that was set up states ‘No to the stalls on the Avenida’ and calls for the Câmara to take action.
The petition organisers said: “It is worth us all demonstrating our democratic right. We now invite even more people, to authorize a discussion of this subject at the Municipal Assembly. In the name of all who are making their voice heard, and there are already many, the Municipal Executive must stop an outrage such as this….. This is a question of an adulteration of the most emblematic space in Lagos. To halt a decision like this is to defend the well being of all.” One person said on Facebook that it was not just an issue of aesthetics, it was also about the fact it would limit space on the pavement for pedestrians. There was also a concern that the kiosks could be used as toilets or rooms for homeless people after dark.
The decision was taken two years ago by the former executive, together with vendors, for twenty five kiosks to be constructed on the Avenida to accommodate ambulant trade during the holiday season. The initiative will be evaluated at the end of October by vendors, the DOCAPESCA organisation overseeing the space, Lagos Trade Associations and other interested parties. While many protesters acknowledge the necessity for creating space for traders, they are also concerned about the disfiguring of an iconic area of Lagos, popular with tourists and locals alike. You can read more comments and find out the latest from the Facebook page ‘Não aos Barracões na Avenida de Lagos’. Please, let us know your views about this. You can email us at: tomorroweditorial@gmail.com
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