“We have this knowledge because we are in constant communication with the Mayor of Loures,” stated the official, adding that Mayor Ricardo Leão (PS) “is not alone” regarding the demolition of precarious housing in the Talude Militar neighborhood, which is causing controversy.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing was speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony for the feasibility studies agreement for the Trás-os-Montes High-Speed Line, held in the Bragança Municipal Theater’s meeting room.
Miguel Pinto Luz was referring to the complaint made by the Mayor of Loures on Tuesday evening during a debate organized by SIC Notícias.
At the time, Ricardo Leão revealed he had filed a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor against a “criminal network” engaged in the “trade of shacks” in the Talude Militar neighborhood.
“Shacks are being sold for two thousand and three thousand euros every five square meters, with guaranteed electricity and water,” said the mayor, asserting that this “network” is promoted by “one identified individual, who also has a shack there.”
Today, the minister stated that “the Government is monitoring the situation and will not bury its head in the sand to allow this proliferation, which is occurring in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML).”
“We do not want an AML like the one we had in the 1980s. But we must understand and find balance; we do not have hearts of stone, and we are sensitive to what is happening,” he emphasized.
Miguel Pinto Luz noted that this issue has multiple facets, with the Mayor of Loures, on one hand, defending the “legitimate interest” of the municipality and “ensuring legality” since he cannot allow the “proliferation of these illegal constructions.”
On the other hand, “there must be a guarantee that these people have a roof over their heads.”
The Loures Municipality began an operation to demolish 64 precarious homes where 161 people reside a week ago.
In two days, 55 were demolished, but on the second day, an injunction was filed by 14 residents, which the Lisbon Administrative Court accepted, leading to the suspension of operations.
