Sal, Cabo Verde, Sept. 16, 2025 (Lusa) - The prime minister of Cape Verde described the work on the Santa Maria pier, on the island of Sal, which was contracted on Tuesday, as a reconstruction that will enhance the quality of the space, an icon of the archipelago's tourism.
"Initially, we had planned to refurbish it, but today we are rebuilding a maritime project with more quality, resilience and a wider range of services," said Ulisses Correia e Silva, at the contracting ceremony with the contractor on the island.
The pier, which sells fresh fish and handicrafts and serves as a diving platform, appears in many tourist photographs of the island, but was partially destroyed during a storm a year ago.
Today the progress of the work was formalised. The prime minister said that "rebuilding in haste gives bad results", meaning that the pontoon is to be rebuilt "with the necessary time" to be "a resilient infrastructure, with more quality" and to give a "very strong return to society", both for the local communities, the country and tourists, who "need references".
In this regard, the head of government recalled that a tender is being prepared for the interpretive centre at the salt pans, as well as for a salt museum.
"We can't just offer sun and beach, we have to offer more than that", including "Cabo Verde's identity and creative industries", with "differentiated offers", he added.
The reconstruction of the pontoon should be completed in 18 months and will be financed by the World Bank with $10 million (€8.5 million) and includes the reconstruction of the access square.
The 50 metre long structure (which the damage has reduced to 30) will now enter the sea for 120 metres, with its width increasing from 12.5 to 14 metres, to become more resistant to swells and accommodate new services.
There will be access ramps to uneven floors for water sports and bathers on one side, and fish landing on the other, feeding 30 traditional sales stalls that will have improved display and hygiene conditions, always in the shade.
As well as sanitary and support structures, the final part will include an open space and lighting will be installed to make the pier a place for night-time strollers.
LFO/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
