Brava: The Nossa Senhora do Monte municipal office is expected to begin operations later this year

Amândio Brito, speaking to Inforpress, explained that the reopening of the branch office is partpart of the strategy to decentralize municipal services, allowing the parish to have greater autonomy and access to essential services, while also creating conditions to boost the local economy and improve the population’s quality of life.

“This municipality plans to open the Nossa Senhora do Monte Municipal Branch as soon as possible, most likely sometime this year,” he said.

The mayor noted that Nossa Senhora do Monte is a “very large and significant” parish in terms of both territory and population, but also in terms of the challenges it faces, arguing that the locality must be properly equipped with infrastructure and services capable of generating opportunities and ensuring greater dignity for its residents.

The parish previously had a municipal branch office, established with the aim of decentralizing administrative services and bringing the administration closer to the community. However, the office was eventually closed and has not been operational since.

For the mayor, reopening the branch office is a necessary step to restore the community’s connection with local government and allow Nossa Senhora do Monte to “regain the prominence it deserves.”

Founded in 1826 and designated the seat of the diocese in 1836, Nossa Senhora do Monte has established itself over the years as an important pilgrimage site and historical landmark on the island of Brava. The parish has a parish church, built in 1841, and was elevated to town status in 2015, reinforcing its historical, cultural, and heritage significance on the island.

From the perspective of Brava’s mayor, given its historical importance and elevation to town status, Nossa Senhora do Monte should already have a higher level of development, with various services established and available within the town itself.

“It was expected that, from the date it was elevated to town status—given its importance and history—it would already be more developed, with various services established in the area,” he emphasized.

The mayor also announced a series of projects planned for the parish during his current term, including the construction of a grass soccer field, a playground, the installation of ATM services, a gas station, and the renovation of the town’s central schools.

According to the same source, the City Council is already carrying out projects in Nossa Senhora do Monte, specifically those related to water plumbing, the construction of restrooms, the renovation of the Casa dos Pescadores, and work on the cable cars, among other initiatives.

“We have already begun working in this area and do not intend to leave until we have addressed all the legitimate needs of this parish,” he assured.

Amândio Brito explained that the reopening of the municipal office is also linked to the completion of the renovation of the Nossa Senhora do Monte School.

The intention, he said, is that, as soon as the work is completed, the school’s administration will be transferred to its own building, allowing for the reorganization of services and creating the conditions for the branch office to operate normally.

“We do indeed need to speed up the opening of the municipal branch office, and as soon as we are able to renovate the Nossa Senhora do Monte School and move the administration of this facility to its own building, things will return to normal,” he stated.

The mayor reiterated that the administration’s goal is to create the conditions for Nossa Senhora do Monte to be a town with the services and infrastructure befitting its status and historical importance.

“We want the community to be a town with all the necessary conditions for that,” he concluded.

DM/ZS

Inforpress/End