Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Ad-hoc Mais São Vicente Commission, made up of elements from civil society to encourage measures in favor of the island, this Saturday urged the authorities to take measures to preserve the coastline of Laginha and Matiota.
These two areas were the subject of a seminar held today (01/06), in the Noble Hall of the Municipality of São Vicente, and which is part of a set of activities of this type to discuss the entire seafront of the island.
According to José Lopes Graça, member of the ad-hoc commission, Laginha and Matiota represent the seventh zone of the maritime extension, which runs from Ponta João Ribeiro, in Chã de Alecrim, to Morro Branco, in Lazareto.
“ Therefore, the coast is important, it has economic, tourist and environmental value and these are extremely expensive values for an island like São Vicente. This area of Laginha and Matiota are bathing areas par excellence, but also of tourist and hotel value ”, considered the same source.
Specifically, Lopes da Graça believes that some measures are being adopted that could jeopardize the marine fauna and flora there, including the Laginha Coral Cove, and pointed out dangers presented by companies such as Estaleiros Navais da Cabnave and desalination plant of the Public Water and Electricity Production and Distribution Company (Electra).
Hence, according to the same source, the commission defends the relocation of these facilities to other locations and measures to also divert the temporary waters and floods that normally flow into Laginha.
On the part of the city council, the councilor responsible for Heritage, Rodrigo Martins, also admitted that the issue of relocating industries was taken into account when preparing the Municipal Master Plan (PDM).
“ We know that it won’t be for today, these are issues that involve a lot of resources, but it is always good to consider them and, let’s say, with a very strong participation of civil society as well, of people, researchers, universities, to define the best future paths for our island” , he maintained.
Asked about the proposed relocation of infrastructure to Saragarça, mentioned when the São Vicente Maritime Special Economic Zone (ZEEM-SV) was created, Rodrigo Martins said it was a matter that was still being considered, but there was no definitive decision.
Meanwhile, in defense of the Matiota area, António Pedro Silva, who participated in the seminar as a speaker, regretted the delay of more than two years in recovering, for example, the six-pack and trampoline and returning this space to society, which has a “large historical, social and even economic”.
“The delay with which the process is taking place is regrettable. A small work that in the time of Henrique Teixeira de Sousa, when mayor, in the 60s, could be done in three months, is already two or three years away ”, criticized the same source, for whom this type of work is “unacceptable”. of behavior.
The Adhoc Mais São Vicente Commission was created in March 2023 by a group of academics and professionals with the aim of involving civil society, universities, companies and decision-makers in a debate around issues relevant to the island, with a focus on its seafront.
Several seminars of this type have been scheduled until July 15th to discuss different nuances related to the coast.
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