Fogo/Brava: Association Seeks Dialogue with the Government to Avoid Duplication of Solutions for the Maritime Connection

The chairman of the board of directors of the Association of Municipalities of Fogo and Brava, Nuías Silva, stated, following a session of the Intermunicipal Assembly, that it is necessary to wait and engage in dialogue with the government before moving forward with the creation of an intermunicipal company to ensure maritime connections.

The session reviewed the feasibility study for the creation of an intermunicipal maritime transport company.

According to Nuías Silva, the Intermunicipal Assembly favorably reviewed the economic and financial feasibility study, completed in March 2025, which demonstrates the viability of a maritime connection between the two islands and between them and the country’s main tourist markets.

The chairman of the board of directors explained that although the study recommends the immediate creation of an intermunicipal company, the Intermunicipal Assembly decided to “take a step back” to discuss with the government the solution being considered for the region.

“We want to find common ground and maintain this dialogue,” stated Nuías Silva, who added that the goal is to implement only one solution, avoiding the duplication of efforts and resources, should there be alignment between the intermunicipal proposal and the government’s strategy.

To this end, the association intends to request a meeting with the Minister of Transportation and the Prime Minister—involving the board of directors and the region’s four mayors—to discuss issues considered strategic for regional development.

In addition to maritime connections, the agenda should include port and airport infrastructure, civil protection and fire departments with regional response capabilities, as well as water supply for agriculture and livestock.

The proposed plan calls for establishing twice-daily maritime connections between Fogo and Brava, weekly connections with Boa Vista and Sal, daily connections with Santiago, and biweekly connections with São Vicente.

According to Nuías Silva, the goal is to facilitate the movement of people and goods and to strengthen the two islands’ capacity to supply hotels, particularly in the main tourist destinations.

Nuías Silva noted that maritime connectivity could transform the two islands into a single economic region, leveraging the advantages of agriculture, fishing, and livestock farming, promoting sustainable tourism, and diversifying the national tourism offering.

The mayor acknowledged that the twice-daily connection between the two islands may not initially be advantageous from a strictly economic standpoint, as it will take time to establish its momentum, but he considered it to have significant social and economic viability.

The association hopes to discuss with the government a solution that will ensure the effective operation of the connections in the region by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Inforpress