Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, stated this Wednesday, during his closing speech at the formal session commemorating the Municipality Day of Ribeira Grande, that the Santo Antão international airport “will become a reality”.
“It will not be an airport in competition with São Vicente or with others. It will be an airport that allows direct connection between the rest of the world and the Santo Antão area”, he stressed.
Ulisses Correia e Silva highlighted that there are already expressions of interest from leading hotel groups, who are willing to invest in new units on the island, provided that there is adequate airport infrastructure.
The Prime Minister described the future airport as an “essential instrument” to boost the economy and “combat” the island’s population loss.
“This issue of population loss, of people leaving, can be resolved through the economy. With greater capacity to create jobs, with greater attractiveness, with more income, the opposite will surely happen”, he stated, demonstrating confidence that Santo Antão can, in the near future, achieve “strong economic dynamics”.
As for tourism, Ulisses Correia e Silva reinforced the idea that Santo Antão must maintain its authenticity and invest in a sustainable, quality and non-mass tourism model.
“Tourism here in Santo Antão will never be mass tourism or tourism in search of sun and beach. The beaches here are limited. It is this type of tourism adjusted to the nature and culture of the island that will develop and gain scale”, he said.
The Prime Minister believes that, over time, it will be possible to surpass the 100,000 visitor mark, which will have a “positive impact” on the local economy.
In addition to the airport, according to the same source, the Government is investing in other strategic projects, such as the new inspection and packaging centre for agricultural products in the port area of Porto Novo, currently in the final stages, an infrastructure that, according to Ulisses Correia e Silva, will “improve” the logistics of distributing agri-food and fishing products to the other islands.
Within the scope of the blue economy, the Prime Minister pointed to sustainable fishing, diving and sport fishing as areas with high potential.
“It is a high-value segment and Santo Antão has the conditions to make it happen”, he said, referring to the example already observed in São Vicente.
Regarding decentralisation and strengthening local power, Ulisses Correia e Silva recalled that several bills are being debated in parliament, namely the new financial regime for local authorities and the reform of property tax. However, he stressed that the implementation of some measures depends on qualified majorities, and therefore called for speed and commitment from political forces.
Ribeira Grande Municipal Day is being celebrated for the third time on 7 May, a date that replaces the previous celebration on 17 January, when the discovery of the island was commemorated.
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