Orihuela councillor responds to opposition attack

The Orihuela Councillor for Commerce has dismissed PSOE claims that there is no transparency within the Town Hall accounts. Manuel Abadia has reacted angrily to the allegations which were made during a press conference yesterday, by Socialist Mayoral candidate, Antonia Moreno.

She has questioned the expenses for works, rent of buildings, computers and furniture for the new designer clothing workshop, which is aimed at helping the municipality’s potential young designers realise their ambitions in dress making and clothing design. She alleges that the PP Mayor, Monica Lorente’s favourite designer, Julio Diaz, has been given €20,000 from the Town Hall to “set up” his own clothing design studio.

Councillor Abadia said: “Antonia Moreno can go to the office of the anti corruption public prosecutor if she wants to but she will end up looking very silly. Because he will clearly see that these allegations and accusations of improper accounting are ridiculous. This situation is absurd and Ms Moreno will soon see that for herself, once she has the file in her hands.

All the accounts have been handled with absolute transparency.” In October 2008, an agreement was made between the Town Hall and the clothing designer to introduce a course within a workshop environment so that young designers could learn their trade and develop their design skills, under the ‘umbrella’ of the Orihuela School of Arts, however the PSOE Mayoral candidate claims that this agreement has now expired.

“Although the initial agreement was for the term of a year,” Abadia added, “it has been made with an Alicante based designer, who is still committed to the project.” However, the Councillor has recognised that there have been unfortunate delays with this project which, in part, are the responsibility of the Town Hall.

“It had been hoped that the courses would have been made available by now,” said the Councillor, “but all the machinery which is needed to equip the workshop has been delayed.” Many of the candidates who were interested in this workshop have since begun alternative courses, but the Councillor has assured that with the planned resources being allocated to this project, “…a greater effectiveness for the municipality’s factories would be guaranteed.”

The Councillor also proved that the investment has already been made and that Julio Diaz is on hand to arrange the distribution of the workers to the various factories as soon as they are asked for. Cllr Abadia concluded that he is not going to make any more declarations or announcements on this subject since the file, which he has invited the Socialist Spokeswomen to view herself, has been sent for audit.

“With these declarations,” he said: “I am closing this chapter now and I am not going to respond to any further attacks on the matter.”

Source: Town Hall press release