PM: minister must follow majority view

The long-running dispute on the prioritisation of tunnel projects in Sandoy and Suðuroy has resulted in Henrik Old resigning as transport minister.

Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen insists that the minister must follow the majority view in government, and that view is to prioritise work on the tunnel to Dalur, Sandoy, over the one to Fámjin, Suðuroy.

Henrik Old, a keen supporter of the Fámjin project, said yesterday that he resigned because he has been overruled.

Opposition MP Bill Justinussen told news portal in.fo on Saturday that a Fámjin tunnel project proposal will be presented in Parliament in the coming days.

Although the government has decided to prioritise the Dalur project, there is still disagreement in the coalition, and the Prime Minister acknowledges that the opposition’s Fámjin project proposal could spell the end for this coalition if cabinet members vote in favour of it.

Aksel V. Johannesen said in a press release yesterday that the government is looking at ways to speed up the Dalur project, so that the Fámjin project can start sooner. The national tunnel work budget for next year is DKK 7 million.

He added that a new transport minister will be appointed “within a few weeks”, until which time he will take over the transport portfolio.

Translated by prosa.fo