The Regional Government has decided to provide guidelines to Porto Açores SA. on the launch to the public tender for the expansion works of Porto da Casa on Corvo Island in order to improve the safety and operating conditions of this port infrastructure, located on the smallest island of the archipelago.

"The contract works will include the extension of the quay by 40 metres, the expansion of the parking platforms for vessels to about 900 square metres, the recovery of the beaching ramp, the dredging of the turning basin and the construction of support warehouse to the deconsolidation of containerised goods," said Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs.

Speaking at the presentation of the press release of the meeting held by the Council of the Government under the statutory visit to Corvo, Isabel Rodrigues stressed that the Council approved another contract work for the renewal of a building for the installation of the RIAC Multiservice Building on this island, which represents a total investment of 225 thousand Euros.

The RIAC office will be installed in a building located in the Historic Centre of Vila do Corvo that is currently in ruins. It will include service desks and will also operate the Social Security services.

During the meeting, the Government also analysed the evolution of Tourism on the island of Corvo. In the first seven months of this year, the sector registered an increase of 10 percent in the number of overnight stays and 40 percent in the revenue of sector in general and the area of accommodation, compared to the same period of time last year.

The consolidation and evolution of birdwatching as one of the main tourist products that contribute to mitigate the effects of seasonality were two strategies highlighted at the meeting. The Government was also informed about an expansion project of the Comodoro Guest House, an investment project with a budget of 200 thousand Euros that aims to enhance the island's tourism offer.

The Government of the Azores has decided to sign a cooperation protocol with Corvo Town Hall for the use, management and improvement of the sports facilities. It has also decided to sign a collaboration agreement with the municipality in the amount of 100 thousand Euros for the installation of pavement suitable for the practice of sports and enclose the sports facilities.

In the social area, the Government will allocate the sum of 700 thousand Euros to the contract work for the expansion of building of the elderly home of the "Santa da Misericórdia" of Corvo and the improvement of support services.

This institution will be further supported in the interventions to renew the day nursery and the kindergarten as well as in acquisition of a 9-passenger vehicle for the transport of elderly and children.

Furthermore, the Government of the Azores has decided to carry out the improvement works in Corvo Island Health Unit, an investment of 60 thousand Euros that will provide patients and health professionals with better service conditions. There will be also a scheduled intervention to renew the computer and telecommunication equipment used in telemedicine.

The Council of the Government will also allocate the sum of 36 thousand Euros, for a period of two years, to the Portuguese Society for the Study Birds (SPEA) for the monitoring and implementation of conservation actions of seabirds. These actions will focus on the island of Corvo, where there are relevant seabird colonies. Moreover, it has approved the planting of rare endemic species in several areas of Corvo Natural Park, an initiative that involved the school and local population.