Environment Agency evaluates pollution study carried out by Galp in Leça

At stake is a portion of Petrogal, to be transferred to the Municipality by Galp for the construction of a university centre. Mayor says zero contamination was pointed out, but it is “a forecast”.

In August, a “pre-assessment” carried out by Galp was presented to the Matosinhos Council on the level of contamination of the Petrogal plot, in Leça da Palmeira, which should be transferred to the Municipality for the construction of a university centre. “The level of pollution indicated was in the sense of releasing 17 hectares [parcela a norte] without contamination. It is a prediction and not a confirmation”, warns the mayor of Matosinhos, Luísa Salgueiro. The issue of Petrogal pollution was raised by councilor Sérgio Meira, from the independent movement of António Parada, at the executive meeting.

The initial diagnosis presented by Galp to the Chamber was submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), “which is currently evaluating”, explained Luísa Salgueiro. “We have to wait for the final report of the APA to have the definitive validation of the state of contamination in that area”, clarified the mayor, not knowing how long it could take. “Only the APA can say,” she noted.

“As the Chamber does not have the powers to give the final assessment, it has to wait for the definitive one, which is the responsibility of the APA”, he concluded.

PS approve budget

The Matosinhos Chamber’s budget proposal for 2023, of 150.4 million euros, counted only on votes in favor of the PS. Councilman Sérgio Meira abstained. From the PSD, Bruno Pereira and Filomena Martins voted against, as did CDU councilor José Pedro Rodrigues. For the social democrats, the Executive “could have gone further”.

Already councilor José Pedro Rodrigues showed concern in terms of housing, referring that there are “1500 requests for housing on the waiting list already validated” and that this “problem has not yet reached its peak”.