The iconic Santa Maria Pier will be completely renovated, with an investment of €8.9 million financed by the World Bank through the Government of Cape Verde, as part of the Resilient Tourism and Blue Economy Development Project.
The works, with a completion deadline of 18 months, are designed to transform the infrastructure into a hub for tourism, leisure, entertainment, and culture, also benefiting the activities of fishmongers, the local community, and visitors from around the world.
The public signing of the contract for the work took place on Tuesday at a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister José Ulisses Correia e Silva. The contract was formalized between the Coordinator of the Special Projects Management Unit (UGPE), Nuno Gomes, and the Director of Business Development at Sociedade de Empreitadas e Trabalhos Hidráulicos, Fernando Ribeiro Simões. During the event, the UGPE Coordinator presented the project, highlighting the main innovations and benefits of the intervention.
The new pier will be extended from its current length of 50 meters to 120 meters, with the width increasing from 12.5 meters to 14 meters. The work includes a fish market, bathrooms, space for boats, kiosks, and water sports, as well as the complete renovation of Praça de Aninha, which will feature modern lighting to boost nightlife and create opportunities for artisans and tour operators.
More than just a simple rehabilitation, this intervention marks the beginning of a new phase for Santa Maria, with expected impacts on strengthening the blue economy, boosting tourism, and improving working conditions for local fishermen and operators.