Government says that Cabo Verde Interilhas will reactivate the maritime connection between Santiago, Brava and Fogo

The Minister of the Sea announced today that Cabo Verde Interilhas will reactivate the maritime connection between the islands Santiago, Brava and Fogo and the Polar company will also support, from the 16th, with two more weekly trips.

Abraão Vicente made this announcement to the press, in Praia, when responding to the mayor of Brava who attributes the removal of the ship Dona Tuta from the Santiago, Fogo and Brava line to the Government, claiming priority for The Ocean Race that takes place in Mindelo.

“It is important to say that we are working, not only has Polar made itself available to make two more weekly trips to the islands of Brava and Fogo from the 16th, connecting them with Santiago, but today we also had confirmation that Cape Verde inter-islands will reactivate the use of the Praia d´Aguada ship to fill the deficit on the Praia, Fogo Brava line and connect the island of Brava”, he announced.

However, the official made it known that the withdrawal of Dona Tuta from the line has nothing to do with Government policy or with an express request from the Executive to give priorities to the island for The Ocean Race, noting that this “is not more important than the people of Brava”.

He also recalled that the Government does not determine the maritime lines, therefore, he underlined, the understanding and solidarity of the rulers is important.

“Cabo Verde Interilhas was asked to provide a service by the National Police to transport agents, security materials and vehicles and security materials to Mindelo, to reinforce security during The Ocean Race, as it will be in Cape Verde. the Secretary of State of the United Nations, the Prime Minister of Portugal and several other entities”, clarified the minister.

Abraão Vicente also emphasized that the fact that Cabo Verde Interilhas currently has only two ships at the service of maritime transport is not a matter that should be “attributed to the State”, noting that the National Directorate of Policies for the Sea has already acted on this dimension, creating a fine for non-compliance with programmatic guidelines.

“That is why a Government intervention means that Cape Verde Interilhas is currently placing the Praia d'Aguada ship at the service of the Fogo, Brava and Santiago line, precisely to fill this gap”, he announced.

“Therefore, I do not think it is healthy for a mayor, who knows that the Government is working hard to resolve this situation in the best way, comes to the public to make bombastic statements, solely to save his own face”, he said.