Praia, Jan. 10, 2025 (Lusa) – The Cabo Verdean government on Friday announced the approval of a €5.27 million package aimed at strengthening water supply and sanitation, after the local population complained of shortages caused by failures in the supply system in the capital, Praia.
"The government has just approved a package of measures" to improve “water maintenance and production capacity”, with a view to more efficient distribution and the reinforcement of sanitation services in the city of Praia, but also “in other districts on the island of Santiago”, informed the minister for the environment, Gilberto Silva.
The minister was speaking during a press conference in the capital, where he recognised the impact caused by a breakdown in recent weeks.
"The breakdown in two of the four desalination plants in the city of Praia reduced production to around 8,000 cubic metres per day, but the situation has now been normalised, with production resuming at over 15,000," he said.
According to Gilberto Silva, in addition to Praia, the investments announced today will cover municipalities such as Santa Cruz, Calheta de São Miguel and Ribeira da Barca.
The investment of 583 billion Escudos (€5.27 million) is aimed at improving equipment maintenance and seawater desalination operations (the method by which water is supplied, given the aridity of the archipelago), as well as sanitation services.
The government is also preparing a second package of measures to ensure the sustainability of the companies responsible for providing essential services.
The minister also promised similar actions for the islands of Sal and São Vicente, responding to local needs.
Meanwhile, Paula Moeda, a member of parliament from the African Party for the Independence of Cabo Verde (PAICV), today criticised the management of the problem: "The situation of water scarcity has reached serious proportions, jeopardising the dignity and well-being of the population‘’.
The parliamentarian called on the government to "definitively resolve the deterioration in supply and quality of service", considering that the current situation "seriously affects the daily lives of families".
She also described the difficulties faced by citizens: "Children carrying jerry cans, elderly people with heavy containers on their heads, desperate families waiting for tankers, paying more to secure an essential good."
Local water company, Águas de Santiago, explained in a note on the Internet that a breakdown in the production system was the cause of the difficulties.
RS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
