Africa-Press – Cape verde. The MpD responded today in Parliament to criticism from the PAICV by presenting data that proves “significant progress” in the areas of water, sanitation and agriculture since 2016, the year it took office.
The statements were made by MpD deputy Francisco Sanches during the parliamentary session.
“We have to tell the truth,” said the congressman, highlighting that the water coverage rate increased from 74 percent (%) in 2015, the last year of the PAICV government, to 103.8% currently. As for home connections, the national rate has now reached 47.9%.
Francisco Sanches also highlighted the increase in per capita water consumption, which rose from 47 liters per inhabitant per day in 2015 to 94 liters currently, exceeding the national target of 90 liters.
In terms of sanitary facilities, it reported that the coverage rate increased from 54.9% in 2015 to 88.3% currently.
It also highlighted the installation of five new desalination units on the islands of Santiago Norte, São Vicente, Sal, Brava and Maio.
In the agricultural sector, he highlighted the investments made in hydro-agricultural projects on several islands, such as Santo Antão (R$212 thousand), Santiago (R$208 thousand), Fogo (R$121 thousand), Brava (R$337 thousand), São Vicente (R$39.7 thousand), São Nicolau (R$43.7 thousand) and Maio (R$24.8 thousand), totaling more than R$677 thousand.
The deputy also highlighted advances in drip irrigation techniques, whose national coverage increased from 27% to 57%.
He mentioned that, in Santiago Norte alone, drip systems were installed on more than 800 hectares, with a 50% subsidy from the Government, and that the municipality of Santa Cruz leads with 566 hectares.
He also highlighted the Ribeiros Pico hydro-agricultural project, which, according to him, represents an investment of more than 88 thousand contos and includes not only interventions in the agricultural sector, but also the construction of social infrastructure, such as a school and a new health center, directly benefiting the local population.
“It’s a project, it’s work,” the congressman emphasized, stating that the results are visible on the ground.
In turn, the Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Gilberto Silva, stated that Cape Verde “has never been so well off in terms of water”, adding that the country “wants and should want even more, and it is fair and legitimate that Cape Verdeans have this ambition”.
The Government, according to the minister, also shares this objective and believes that it is possible to work to achieve much more.
He recalled that during the MpD’s term, desalination plants were installed on several islands, namely one with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day on the island of Sal, another with the same capacity on São Vicente, and a five-thousand cubic meter per day facility on Praia, which already has a project to increase by another 10,000 cubic meters.
He also indicated that the installation of a desalination plant with a production capacity of five thousand cubic meters per day is planned in Boa Vista and highlighted that desalination plants were also installed in Maio, for 560 cubic meters per day, and in Ribeira da Barca, both ready to enter into operation.
Gilberto Silva emphasized that the increase in production and connections demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring sufficient, quality water for all Cape Verdeans.
“43,000 water connections were made across the country, which has helped improve the population’s access to this essential resource,” he emphasized.
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