Praia, Aug. 7, 2025 (Lusa) - The new president of the Association of Municipalities of the islands of Fogo and Brava, in Cabo Verde, Nuías Silva, has called for the creation of a regional maritime transport company to address the difficulties in connections that continue to affect the public.
“We want to design our own solutions, involving immigrants, residents of the two islands, national shipowners and investors interested in creating a regional maritime transport company,” said Nuías Silva, quoted by Radio Cabo Verde (RCV).
Nuías Silva, who is also mayor of São Filipe (Fogo), was elected on Wednesday to head the inter-municipal association's board of directors and is proposing a local solution, led by the local authorities, to overcome the constraints on maritime transport connections.
According to the mayor, connections between Fogo, Brava and the island of Santiago have been reduced to three per week, when previously there were daily trips, except on Sundays.
“This is clearly insufficient for our ambitions and needs,” he criticised, stressing that the current model “has not responded” and that the regions “cannot continue to wait for solutions from outside”.
In this regard, he admitted that it will be necessary to engage in dialogue with the government and other authorities, particularly on the licensing of operations and the possible exclusivity of the routes currently under concession.
The initiative aims to follow the example of the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, which, thanks to frequent maritime connections, now enjoy a dynamic of regional integration that is lacking in the south of the archipelago.
In June, dozens of Brava residents demonstrated to demand better maritime transport, holding placards with slogans such as ‘our taxes count, we want our boats’.
The prime minister acknowledged flaws in the transport system and agreed that they fuel public mistrust, pledging to overcome technical and operational constraints.
The lack of regular connections has hampered mobility and access to essential goods and services on the most isolated islands.
In July, CV Interilhas announced the return of the Kriola vessel to reinforce connections to three islands (Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava) affected by breakdowns and accidents involving vessels in the national fleet.
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