Sal Island: PR is concerned about the island's "enormous challenges" in the social area

The President of the Republic (PR), José Maria Neves, today expressed concern about the “enormous” challenges that Sal faces in the social area, lacking a “very attentive” look, for which he urges a “strong joint millstone.

The social area was the focus of the agenda for the second day of the official visit of the President of the Republic, José Maria Neves, who is in Sal for a period of four days, to take stock of the socio-economic situation of the island, post-pandemic.

Thus, the head of state visited the most needy communities on the island, namely Alto São João, IFH, África 70 and Pedra de Lume, having also met with institutions and NGOs linked to the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and violence and sexual abuse against minors.

“We have huge challenges, first of all, the challenge of housing... there is still a lot of precariousness, an effort is being made to build new housing, but the deficit is huge”, he calculated, pointing to the need to create a medium-term program. and long term, to “face” this housing problem on the tourist island.

In addition to the housing problem, Gender-Based Violence and sexual violence against minors, there are also, for the President of the Republic, other problems that greatly affect the island of Sal, which is why he once again urges a “strong partnership” between the authorities and the various social actors, so that the situation can be overcome.
Recognizing, however, the effort and work of the various institutions, José Maria Neves still perceives the lack of resources to respond to the problems.

“The challenges are extraordinarily great. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to join hands to find solutions for the social problems that exist on the island…from kindergartens, schools, to other social equipment, but also recruiting new technicians, creating conditions to have a children’s emergency center , a shelter, during the day to receive children and adolescents (…)”, he explained.

The President of the Republic ended the day with a meeting with immigrant communities.

José Maria Neves is in Sal for a four-day visit, to learn about the socio-economic reality of the island, “heavily” hit by the impacts of the covid-19 pandemic.

He began his work schedule on Tuesday morning with a courtesy visit to the mayor, Júlio Lopes, then proceeded to the company Águas de Ponta Preta, and to the National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INMG).

On this trip, where he intends to have direct contacts with the population, with the authorities and with the promoters of the various sectors of activity, the President of the Republic pays “strong attention” to the social sector, with a focus on employment, housing and the family, as well as on the fight against Gender-Based Violence and sexual violation of minors, with visits to various communities and related institutions.

The agenda also includes the Tourism sector, with visits to some undertakings and meetings with institutions and bodies linked to the sector, as well as a trip to the 2nd Military Region.