Sustainable tourism as the main driver for the future
The island is the birthplace of Eugenio Tavares, poet, musician, writer and journalist from Cape Verde. In 2013, its main village, Nova Sintra, became Cape Verde’s first Capital of Culture. In the same year, sustainable tourism was defined as an engine for its development.
Brava Mayor Francisco Tavares said that to achieve this goal, “It is needed to overcome some of the structural challenges facing the island, such as improving connectivity with the country’s other islands, access to healthcare and water availability.. Investments are needed to prepare the island for the much-desired development: welcoming tourists.
EN3-BR-02: Road restored stone by stone
The $46 million transport sector reform project, funded by the World Bank through the International Development Association (IDA), includes the improvement and maintenance of roads in Cape Verde. One of its components is the asphalting and improvement of the EN3-BR-02 road in Brava, opened on September 21, 2022.
Rehabilitation of EN3-BR-02 ensures safety, reduces economic instability and impacts quality of life. It also opens the way for the development of tourism.
Brava is divided into two parishes: São João Baptista, where the capital, the village of Nova Sintra, is located, and Nossa Senhora do Monte. The two parishes are connected by road EN3-BR-02. With strong seismicity, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and land displacements can occur. Therefore, the road is strategic for the protection and security of the population, as well as for providing support to the villages and the development of the local economy.
One of the main investments on the island that will ensure safe mobility and impact economic development is the complete rehabilitation of the 5.25 km stretch of road that connects Nova Sintra to Nossa Senhora do Monte, as well as drainage and grade improvements along another 7 to 8 kmin a total road network of 29 km.
To preserve the historical heritage and attract tourists, a new cobblestone pavement replaced the previous one, which was nearly 100 years old. The existing pavement was removed and earthworks, pavement construction, pavement, embankment stabilization, drainage, retaining walls, structures and safety features, and road signaling were carried out.
Road safety and development for all
For 26-year-old Hiace driver Roberto Jorge, who travels to the village of Nova Sintra – Nossa Senhora do Monte about 6 to 7 times each day, “Rehabilitation provides more safety and accessibility of traffic and reduces the risk of accidents. The old road was narrower and the cobblestones were worn. It was dangerous for drivers.”
Fishing is an important activity for the inhabitants of Brava, an island in Cape Verde. It is an income generator for many families. But it needs reliable infrastructure to thrive.
Yvete Veiga Gómez, a 29-year-old mother of 3 with 12 years of experience as a fishmonger, welcomes the new path. She remembers that “during the rainy season when there were landslides and broken roads, we could not go to the market to sell our fish. With poor storage conditions, we would run out of fish to sell..
For Brava residents like Roberto and Yvette, the rehabilitated road is already a significant improvement and a gateway to safety and prosperity.