Algeciras owes €734,177 in phone bills

Eva Pajares and Susana Pérez Custodio

ALGECIRAS At a press conference yesterday, the Councillor for Contracts, Eva Pajares, revealed that the Council owes €734,177 in telephone bills, adding that measures are being taken to lower costs: there will be 25 mobile phones less than the 129 in use at present, and calls will be restricted on the 104 that remain. The amount covers both mobile and landline services. Movistar is owed €547,357, to whom some bills are pending since 2006. Vodafone is owed €186,820, some facturas (bills) dating back to 2008. Planned restrictions include stopping calls in the afternoon and communicating only with specific numbers. "Restrictions do not arise out of mistrust of anyone, but some departments have monthly bil;ls of up €3,000," Pajares pointed out. "The Town Hall will not tolerate the improper use of telephones that have to be paid out of the pockets of the people of Algeciras, too many of whom are unemployed."