Not a Cape Verde hurricane, but strong winds and high waves severely damaged the most prominent tourist attraction in the archipelago and the livelihood of fishermen. The crippled pier at Santa Maria on the island of Sal in Cabo Verde, a vital link for the local community, had not seen such devastation since Hurricane Fred ripped through the archipelago in 2015 when the pier was totally destroyed.
Today, the Santa Maria pier on the island of Sal has suffered a significant blow. The worsening sea conditions, with strong swells and gusts of wind caused by the tropical waves, have led to the destruction of part of the pier’s structure. This urgent situation, given the importance of the pier for fishermen and nautical tourism, requires immediate attention from the Instituto Marítimo Portuário (IMP), the National Maritime Administration/Authority.
1. The IMP, in collaboration with other competent authorities, is actively investigating the incident and analyzing the situation to determine the extent of the damage and outline possible mitigation solutions. Rest assured, we are working diligently to address this issue as soon as possible;
2. An IMP inspection team will visit the site as a matter of urgency and will liaise with the other competent authorities to identify and implement an interim solution to ensure that the pier remains operational and that maritime safety conditions are maintained;
3. It should be noted that a tender process is currently underway to select a company for the rehabilitation of the Santa Maria pontoon and the surrounding area. This process, which has a budget of more than 450,000 escudos, is a crucial step towards the restoration of the pier. The deadline for submitting proposals is 30th October 2024, and we will keep the community updated on the progress.
4. It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the deterioration of the Santa Maria pontoon over the years, despite the various ad hoc repairs carried out. The strong swell experienced at certain times has taken its toll. Today’s event, caused by the inexorable action of nature, is a regrettable setback. We understand the impact this has on the local community, especially the fishermen, and we are committed to establishing a temporary solution that will ensure a degree of normality until the total repair of the pier is completed.
