The Minister of Regional Development, Roger Marinho, responded to the criticisms of the governor of Bahia, Rui Costa, about the help of the Federal government after heavy rains left a trail of destruction in the south of the state. At a press conference this Wednesday (29), in Rio de Janeiro, Marinho said that first it is necessary to “know exactly the size of the problem”.
According to the Civil Defense and Protection Superintendence of Bahia, 136 municipalities are in emergency: 34,163 are homeless and 42,929 displaced throughout the state. Twenty-one people died and 358 are injured. Governor Rui Costa informed that more than the R$ 80 million promised by the Federal Government would be needed to recover Bahia’s roads.
Minister Rogério Marinho also accounted for the federal financial aid directed to Bahia due to the floods. “What has been done so far has been a contribution of BRL 30 million in response, BRL 12 million in the health area, BRL 80 million in recovery of the BRs (roads). And in addition, a series of actions that are being analyzed in the area of infrastructure, which already amount to R$ 12 million”, adding that it needs to receive the work plan from city halls, the government of Bahia and other affected states.
After a ceremony, at the Guanabara Palace, seat of the government of Rio de Janeiro, for the signing of a federal financing agreement of around R$ 800 million for the supply of water to Rio de Janeiro, the minister also defended the president. Jair Bolsonaro (PL), who is on vacation in Santa Catarina.
“The president went to Bahia on December 2nd, as soon as things started to happen there. And we are working there, not just us ministers, but the entire team of technicians, professionals, including doctors, civil defense, the armed forces, all doing the work necessary to support the local population. Now, there is a very serious problem, when the president was in early December he was criticized because he sent the ministers. Now, if the president takes any action, unfortunately, he is received in a different way by the press and by segments of society. I think that if the president discovers a cure for cancer, he will be criticized for having discovered a cure for cancer”, said minister Rogério Marinho.
Reference: CNN Brasil
