Africa-Press – Cape verde. A group of Cape Verdean activists, who in 2015 occupied an islet in Praia against the construction of a tourist complex, propose a research center linked to the sea, after Macanese investors abandoned the project.
Praia/Ilhéu Santa Maria: Cape Verdean activists propose research linked to the sea where the Macau project was to be born
“The islet should be an extension of universities to study our sea, which is very vast”, suggested Adérito Tavares, one of the members of the social movement “Korrenti di Atividade”, who in August 2015 camped on the islet of Santa Maria, opposite of the city of Praia, in protest against the construction of the tourist development that was planned for the location.
The first stone for the construction of the project was laid in February 2016, to be ready in three years, but after successive postponements, this week the Macau Legend Development group announced that it had decided to abandon the project linked to gaming, to focus on initiatives linked to to entertainment and yacht tourism.
At the time, activists argued that the venture, promoted by businessman David Chow, who was also honorary consul of Cape Verde in Macau, would mainly serve to bring “money laundering, prostitution and sexual tourism” to the country.
After the works started, Adérito Tavares told Lusa that the group did not want this premature outcome, but rather its completion, or else the space would continue to be a place of retreat and leisure for all Praia residents, and beyond.
The social activist recalled that the islet of Santa Maria was a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city, especially for younger people, and maintains the idea that the project would be the “reinforcement of capitalism” and consumerism in the country’s capital.
The protest took place days after the project was presented in Praia, with an investment of 250 million euros, occupying an area of 152,700 square meters, which includes the islet of Santa Maria and part of Gamboa beach.
The representative of the social movement guaranteed that the fight is not over and that activists from Praia will now organize themselves to have a joint opinion on an alternative for the space.
“A lot of people thought we went to occupy the islet for nothing, but no. We analyzed what was happening, the history of the islet, the impact of the investment and the setback it would have on all the social work that was done by our group and others in the city of Praia”, he recalled.
The “Korrenti di Atividade” movement is a Cape Verdean non-governmental organization that brings together associations that intervene with children and young people from the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the city of Praia.
At the time, in addition to this movement, the construction was contested by various social circles, including a group of 12 scientists and paleontologists coordinated by the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, in Portugal.
Budgeted at 250 million euros, the complex was the largest tourist development in Cape Verde at the time, it included a hotel with 250 rooms, already built but closed, marina, convention center, casino, swimming pool, restaurants and bars and a bridge to the islet, also built.
The Cape Verdean Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, announced on Thursday that the Government will reverse the concession, which was for 75 years, extendable for another 30, and then look for another destination for the project, which occupies an area of 152,700 meters.
In an interview with Hong Kong television TVB, broadcast on Wednesday night, the president and chief executive officer of Macau Legend Development, Li Chu Kwan, announced that the group intends to cease operations in both Cape Verde and Cambodia by 2025. Week with Lusa
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