The population of the settlements of Marubaí, Gleba G and São José da Boa Morte, in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, live in constant apprehension when it rains. In January, about 300 rural properties were impacted by flooding after heavy rains.
According to the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB), since 1996, when the water catchment system was expanded by the State Water and Sewerage Company of Rio de Janeiro (Cedae), floods have become frequent and directly affect rural workers in the locality.
Also read: Bem Viver Program debates how climate change impacts farmers
In an attempt to create a channel for dialogue between residents, the government and Cedae, councilor Edgar Rosa da Silva (PMB) convened a public hearing last Thursday (12). No Cedae representative attended the meeting, which was attended by representatives of the Public Defender’s Office, municipal and state authorities, MAB and residents of the region.
A new public hearing to address the case is scheduled to take place in early June / Photo: disclosure
At the meeting, which took place in the auditorium of the Rural Electrification Cooperative (CERCI), issues related to repair work on the dike located on the banks of the Macacu River; the recovery and improvement works of bridges in the affected location and dredging of rivers were addressed.
The population claims that since the last flood, which occurred in January, few palliative works have been carried out. Farmers in the region also claim that there was no technical assistance for the restoration of plantations or the reduction of bureaucracy in the credits that are the rights of producers.
Daniele do Nascimento, who is part of the state coordination of MAB, said during the hearing that it was urgent for the state government to look at the region. “Historically, these lands have been an important food production hub in the state. With the floods, not only the families that live on this production are harmed, but also the residents of the surrounding cities, with the increase in food prices”, argued.
Read too: Petrópolis tragedy completes a month with protests and tributes to the 233 dead
wanted by Brazil de factothe Public Defender’s Office, through the 7th Regional Center for Collective Guardianship, informed that it was not following the case and that, based on the invitation and listening to the population, it will hold meetings with the affected committee to assist in extrajudicial and judicial claims, as well as visit affected sites.
On the occasion, the Public Defender’s Office clarified that there are defined obligations for the maintenance of the dikes and for the dredging of the rivers, both in the licensing and in the public civil action proposed by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro. However, the agency stressed that “it only became aware of this issue recently, and the next steps and contacts with other authorities, as well as the appropriate measures, will be evaluated together with the commission of those affected”.
O Brazil de facto sought out Cedae for an explanation of the non-attendance to the public meeting. Until the closing of the report, the company had not responded. A new public hearing to address the case is scheduled to take place in early June.
Source: BdF Rio de Janeiro
Editing: Mariana Pitasse
