Defence fences off a building in ruins

TARIFA (Photo: EuropaSur) The Ministry of Defence has fenced off the old NCOs residence that is attached to the old Moorish walls in the Jesús area of the town and right next to the church of the same name. Empty, and neglected for some twenty years, the building is slowly crumbling into dust, according to Mayor Miguel Manella. The Army made the decision to avoid danger to unauthorised people who frequent the place.  It is also hoped that the state of this building will not affect others nearby that have been restored recently. Manella says that the ministry is offering the building and land, which originally belonged to the town but to which the Army now has squatters' rights, for €3 million, a sum that cannot be raised in the present financial climate, adding that the town would then also have to raise the money to restore it. The Ministry of Defense owns inumerable such properties throughout the country in similar if not worse condition.