Humberto Barbosa
João Nicolau de Almeida
José Ribau Esteves
Mayor of Aveiro
He has a degree in Zootechnical Engineering from the University of Trás-Os-Montes and Alto Douro and was mayor of Ílhavo, but his CV contains many other political and organisational positions. José Ribau Esteves has been the mayor of Aveiro since 2013, because he wanted «to offer voters a real change» which, according to him, is happening and «the results achieved are remarkable». For the mayor, the city of canals is a «Land with Horizon» and «will be a land of the future and with a future».
What made you run to be mayor of Aveiro?
I think that the citizens of Aveiro really wanted a change, led by someone they knew and who they knew they could trust, so that their council could be set down the right path towards solving very serious structural problems, in particular financial and organisational ones. My candidacy was with this intention precisely, to offer the voters a real change, building a team and a bold project for Aveiro, begun in 2013, and which was greatly bolstered in the municipal elections last October.
What is your assessment of your performance as the main decision maker of the municipal council?
My assessment is a very positive one. Obviously there are always areas in which you can improve, but given the situation we encountered when we arrived, the result achieved so far is very good. It has been very difficult, but the results are remarkable.
In which areas have you worked harder in the municipality?
We have worked in every area to make up for the delay we inherited and to give a major boost to the council and the municipality, which is already clear to see. The financial area was the one that needed a more concerted effort, but we have worked very intensively in every sector, making regular investments, distributed throughout the municipality, duly planned and with financial sustainability, taking care of the proper maintenance of existing infrastructures, taking advantage of EU funding, while properly managing the fulfilment of commitments we have made to citizens.
«We have worked in every area to make up for the delay we inherited and to give a major boost to the council and the municipality»
In addition to the magnificent landscapes and welcoming people, what are the other tourist attractions of Aveiro?
The unique natural beauty of the Ria de Aveiro hides within its interior various details that are well worth visiting. We have the urban canals of the Ria de Aveiro, Art Nouveau architecture, with beautiful buildings, the salt pans and salt dams, our moliceiro boats, gastronomy, from eels to ovos-moles, or Licor de Alguidar, and first and foremost: the people of Aveiro.
What will Aveiro look like in the future, in your mind?
We are the City of Canals, a Land with Horizon, made of good, enterprising people who know how to innovate, to care and to preserve. This is our main mission, to take care of the heritage we have received, to give it to our children with added value. Aveiro is Sweet and Contemporary. Aveiro will be a land of the future and with a future.
