Prime Minister calls for unity, social peace and communion of “positive values” in his Christmas message

The Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, today launched an appeal for unity, social peace and communion of "positive values" and highlighted the Government's desire to build a better Cape Verde in 2020.

In his Christmas message, the head of government greeted all Cape Verdean families resident and in the diaspora with wishes for a “merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year”, stating that this is “a propitious moment” to celebrate peace and unity.

Ulisses Correia e Silva underlined that no country achieves its development objectives if society is not imbued with a common desire to overcome obstacles and build a better life for all, with effort, determination and perseverance.

“It is precisely because I believe in this principle that I want to appeal to all of you, an appeal for unity, social peace and the communion of positive values in your lives and in the life of the nation”, he said.

The prime minister maintained that “governing is not just building roads and infrastructures”, but, mainly, “creating a favorable environment for development, promoting the conditions for society to be patriotic, enterprising, tolerant, responsible, and to be oriented towards strong commitments to future generations in education, the economy and the environment”.

In this sense, he indicated that the executive is working to reduce, in a more pronounced way, unemployment and poverty, create greater and better opportunities for young people and boost the economies of the islands to reduce regional asymmetries.
“2020 will be a year in which important laws will be approved to reinforce decentralization and create even better institutional and financial conditions for municipalities and city councils”, he announced.

Ulisses Correia e Silva also added that social inclusion policies and measures are being reinforced with special attention to the poorest families, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, the promotion of gender equality and equity and the good integration of immigrants.

The issue of urban insecurity, which is experienced, particularly, in Cidade da Praia, was also highlighted in the message from the head of government who said that the problem was being faced “head-on” to overcome it “with determination”.

The head of government did not forget the people who live in rural areas, and who since 2017 have been experiencing deprivation due to drought and bad agricultural years.

In his view, both the Government and farmers, animal breeders, traders and populations in rural areas have reacted well, adopting mitigation measures.

“With ongoing investments in the water and renewable energy strategy, in fisheries, in the opening up of localities and in urban and environmental requalification, we are building solutions to increase resilience and improve the country’s ability to adapt to climate change”, he said.
Ulisses Correia e Silva ended the message, reaffirming the country's commitment to achieving sustainable development.

“We are building a better Cape Verde, a country of opportunities for all. I have no doubt that 2020 will be an even better year. I know this is the feeling that animates us all”, he stressed.

MJB/JMV

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