Ministers Victor Coutinho and José Sá Nogueira visit Pontão de S. Maria to prepare for the start of redevelopment works

The Minister for Infrastructure, Spatial Planning and Housing, Mr Victor Coutinho, and the Minister for Tourism and Transport, Dr José Luís Sá Nogueira, visited the Pontão de Santa Maria, on the island of Sal, accompanied by technicians from the City Council, the President of the Tourism Institute, engineers and representatives from the NGO Morabi.

The purpose of the visit was to monitor the process of upgrading the pier and to assure the population that the work will only begin after the dignified resettlement of all the operators in the area, such as fishermen, fishmongers and artisans. According to Minister Victor Coutinho, "it's not just a question of starting a project, but of ensuring that no one is left behind".

Although the public tender has already been awarded, work has not yet begun because the required legal and technical stages are being fulfilled, including the identification of suitable provisional solutions to maintain economic activities during construction.

In partnership with Morabi, a social and resettlement plan is being developed with the support of sociologists, engineers and architects. The new infrastructure will bring better working conditions and hygiene, while maintaining local traditions and enhancing the island's tourism.

Both Ministers guarantee that they are fully aligned and committed to working in a coordinated manner to ensure that the work on the new pontoon progresses with responsibility, quality and respect for local communities.

It should be noted that on this working mission to the island of Sal, Minister Victor Coutinho's agenda includes visits to housing projects in São João and Santa Cruz, where the government is completing 100 new homes, as well as the Port of Palmeira, the Espargos-Santa Maria road and the future school in Palmeira. A new urbanisation project is also being analysed in partnership with the IFH.

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