With NOK 20 million in his suitcase, Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum came driving across the breakwater to the fishing village of Husøy in Troms on Saturday morning. The government proposes that the money be given over the next state budget, so that the harbor on the island is improved to be able to receive larger boats. – It is crucially important to have good ports, said Vedum. On Saturday, the sun had also peeked out, throwing its rays into the face of the Center Party leader as he launched the news. It is in stark contrast to Friday, when dark clouds with rain lay like a blanket over the mountains on Senja, while Vedum’s party colleagues in the north were busy pondering where their voters had gone. Senja Mayor Tom-Rune Elisussen, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum on Husøy early Saturday afternoon. Photo: Eirik Hind Sveen / news Big fall 7.3 per cent. It is the harsh verdict in Troms, which the Center Party woke up to on Friday. This is a decrease of 16.8 percentage points from the election in 2019. The situation is no better in Nordland and Finnmark, where the party has lost 13.8 and 17.3 percent of its voters, news’s recent survey shows. But Vedum was in a good mood. – We haven’t gone to the polls yet, says Vedum about the survey. He points out that the government has implemented many major projects that benefit Northern Norway, such as cheaper flights and free ferries. Nevertheless, voters turn their backs on the Center Party. – Now this was a survey, and then we will have an election. And today we are happy that we are getting money in place for a new port, new activity that creates predictability and security for the incredibly important fishing and aquaculture industry on Senja, says Vedum. The center party falls like a lottery ticket in the north, but still managed to keep the election booth on Husøy on its feet this weekend. Photo: Eirik Hind Sveen / news Husøy: – The world is at our feet Husøy harbor is one of the ports in northern Norway that receives the most fish. The 20 million that the ministers brought in today is the first part of several transfers that are needed to do something about the harbour. It does not have enough depth to serve the larger boats. This has led to ground-breaking. The larger vessels refuse to enter Husøy. – Now we get started. We are going to dredge this harbour, says Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bjørnar Skjæran, who is also visiting Husøy. Rita Karlsen, managing director Brødrene Karlsen, on Husøy in August 2020. Photo: Eirik Hind Sveen / news Rita Karlsen, managing director of the cornerstone company Brødrene Karlsen, has been waiting for money for the port for a long time. – We are very happy today. This means safety and security that the investment we have made is right. Now the harbor is in place, and the world is at our feet, she says. Mayor of Senja Tom Rune Elisussen (Sp) was also satisfied. – This is very good for both the Husøy community and Senja municipality. This gives us faith in the future, he says.
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Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum visited Husøya in Troms the day after a poor opinion poll – news Troms and Finnmark
