Arona Faces Legal Challenge Over €10.6 Million Infrastructure Contract

Arona City Council is facing fresh scrutiny over its management of major public contracts after an administrative appeal was filed against the awarding of a building and road maintenance deal. The municipal group Más por Arona reports that the 10.6 million euro, four-year contract—awarded to Acciona Mantenimiento de Infraestructuras—is now in legal limbo, putting the future of these services at risk.

This is not an isolated issue, but rather the latest in a series of administrative hurdles during the current term. The opposition notes that the appeal, launched by the runner-up in the bidding process, threatens the job security of nearly 60 workers. Más por Arona argues that this conflict stems from poor planning and rushed decision-making by the tripartite government led by Fátima Lemes, which includes the Popular Party, the Canarian Coalition, and Vox.

Opposition groups are concerned by the recurring nature of these problems. Last September, the council had to backtrack on a green space maintenance contract due to errors in calculating personnel costs. Furthermore, since January, there have been ongoing complaints regarding waste collection and street cleaning, with critics alleging that the local government has failed to properly oversee the contractor.

From a technical standpoint, these legal challenges do more than just delay planned improvements; they harm the public interest. A lack of effective oversight often leads to a decline in basic services, affecting both the quality of life for residents and the stability required for businesses to operate. The opposition has urged the government to conduct a thorough review of its procurement procedures, warning that administrative errors ultimately hurt both the workforce and the public.