PS-Madeira is calling on the Regional Government to publish the technical grounds behind the new tender value for the third phase of the Central and University Hospital of Madeira. The Executive says the base price will be €415 million, after a previous tender ten months ago was set at €265 million and drew no interested companies. Speaking at a press conference this morning near the future hospital site, Célia Pessegueiro said the party will submit a request for documentation to the Regional Government tomorrow. She argued that the €150 million increase in just ten months raises serious questions, even if part of the rise can be linked to higher construction costs caused by conflicts and the international situation. Pessegueiro said the Government must provide all relevant technical justification so the Assembly and deputies can properly carry out their oversight role. She added that the project is one of the most expensive in the region at the start of this century and that the roughly 57% increase needs clear political accountability. The Socialist leader also questioned Republic financing for the project, saying the amount expected from the national Executive is lower than the cost of this third phase alone and that there has been no confirmed guarantee of 50% funding from Luís Montenegro. She warned that the higher hospital cost could affect other regional investments, especially as the Regional Government has, in her words, prioritised the construction of golf courses.
