PAICV urges the Government to declare a State of Calamity in São Filipe and Brava due to damage caused by intense rain

This appeal by the deputy from the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV, opposition) was made today at a press conference in the city of Praia where he began by highlighting the impact of the rains on agricultural communities.

“This year, Fogo and Brava were targets of heavy rains that renewed the hopes of peasants and farmers”, he said, adding that, however, he also emphasized that these rains left significant damage behind, demanding immediate intervention from the Government with resources of emergency.

Luís Pires noted that, in Brava, in addition to the damage caused, the isolation of Fajã de Água was worsened and that in Fogo, São Filipe suffered significant losses, including recent works that were swept into the sea.

Due to the extent of the damage, PAICV urged the Government to declare a state of calamity on both islands and to mobilize the emergency fund as quickly as possible.

He also called for an Emergency Plan for Fogo and Brava, similar to that implemented in Santo Antão and São Vicente. Luís Pires emphasized the significant flaws in recent works in São Filipe, which were carried out under the Requalification, Rehabilitation and Accessibility Program (PRRA).

“Avoidable errors caused the country to lose large resources, contributed to the vulnerability of the city and threatened individual properties and assets of São Filipe”, highlighted the deputy, who also criticized the “lack of consideration” for the need for an efficient drainage system in the works recent events and asked the Prime Minister to witness the results of these interventions and apologize to the population.

Luís Pires also warned of the need for “more careful approaches” in relation to climate change, stating that “considering a new water drainage for the city of São Filipe is not compatible with cosmetic works”.

Continuing, this former mayor of São Filipe mentioned the “lack of quality” of the sidewalks in the historic center and defended artistically designed and durable Portuguese sidewalks.

The deputy highlighted that the old drainage system and old sidewalks resisted well for decades and that the Government should consider the tradition of good drainage in São Filipe. He requested studies and drainage work to direct water to the city's bordering rivers, avoiding future problems.

Luís Pires emphasized the importance of considering future sewage networks and emphasized the need to take drainage to areas outside the historic core. He also mentioned the lack of consideration regarding water infiltration and the increase in water flow and speed due to asphalt.

The deputy continued his conference by asking the Government to visit the poor quality of the road under construction between Piorno and Campanas de Cima, which has suffered “significant damage” in the last four years.

Luís Pires concluded the conference by expressing PAICV's solidarity with the two islands and the populations affected by the recent rains, demanding sufficient measures and resources from the Government to preserve the national heritage city and guarantee the recovery of the region, uniting in favor of the region of Fogo and Brava and throughout Cape Verde.