The necessary non-binding opinion for the government to formally proceed with the appointment of Emídio Gomes to a position was discussed after the intention was announced to the Área Metropolitana do Porto (AMP).
During the Metropolitan Council meeting held today at the AMP headquarters in Porto, no objections were recorded from any of the 10 mayors present regarding the proposal for a favorable opinion. This council gathers 17 mayors.
The mayors also approved the nominations of Luísa Salgueiro (PS), president of Matosinhos City Council, Silva Tiago (PSD), president of Maia City Council, and Cristina Pimentel (independent) as non-executive members of Metro do Porto for the upcoming term.
According to AMP president Jorge Sequeira, there was one blank vote for Luísa Salgueiro, one for Silva Tiago, and two for Cristina Pimentel.
Luísa Salgueiro and Silva Tiago have previously held non-executive positions in the company, while Cristina Pimentel, president of the Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto (STCP), returns to Metro do Porto after resigning in November 2024.
At the time of her resignation as a non-executive member, Pimentel cited a lack of institutional trust and accused Tiago Braga, president of Metro do Porto, of dishonesty, calling the trust necessary for her role “irremediably compromised.”
Cristina Pimentel accused Braga of attempting to “hold STCP responsible for delays and uncertainties in the city’s future metrobus line projects,” and Metro do Porto declined to comment at that time.
The government plans to appoint Emídio Gomes, rector of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), as president of Metro do Porto, succeeding Tiago Braga, who has been in the role since 2019.
“The State shareholder intends to appoint Professor Doctor Emídio Gomes to serve simultaneously as Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Executive Committee for the 2025-2027 term,” stated a letter from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing to the AMP, seen by Lusa.
Emídio Gomes, currently the rector of UTAD and a former president of the North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N) from 2013 to 2016, holds a degree in Zootechnical Engineering from UTAD and master’s and doctoral degrees in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Porto. He has been a Full Professor at the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute (ICBAS) in Porto since 2000.
He was also Vice-Rector of the University of Porto for Innovation and Business Relations (2009-2011) and Executive Administrator of the former Porto Metropolitan Area (2005-2009), the predecessor of the current AMP.
Emídio Gomes will replace Tiago Braga, who moved from Metro do Porto’s administration (since 2016) to the presidency in 2019, with a term renewed in 2022, concluding in late 2024.
Currently, Metro do Porto operates six lines and 85 stations across the municipalities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia, Gondomar, Vila do Conde, and Póvoa de Varzim.
The Rosa Line (G) between São Bento and Casa da Música (Porto) and the Rubi Line (H) between Santo Ovídio (Vila Nova de Gaia) and Casa da Música (Porto) are under construction.
The metrobus route from Casa da Música to Império, contracted and executed by Metro do Porto with operations by Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto (STCP), is also pending implementation.
