'It's a fallacy to say that ACM Neto's loan is for building a hospital'
Councilwoman Marta Rodrigues (PT) stated that the project approved yesterday in the City Council, through which Mayor ACM Neto (DEM) requested authorization to contract a loan of R$ 75 million from Caixa Econômica Federal, "presents several inconsistencies in its justification, in addition to not demonstrating public interest and the financial capacity to pay the debt"; "We are in favor of a municipal hospital, important for Salvador. But we cannot forget that the mayor has already raised enough money for the construction of the hospital with the declassification and sale of public land and assets from 2014 until this year," said Marta.
Bahia 247 - Councilwoman Marta Rodrigues (PT) stated in yesterday's session of the City Council that the project approved yesterday in the House, sent by Mayor ACM Neto (DEM) requesting authorization to contract a loan of R$ 75 million from Caixa Econômica Federal, "presents several inconsistencies in its justification, in addition to not demonstrating the public interest and the financial capacity to pay the debt."
"We are in favor of a municipal hospital, which is important for Salvador. But we cannot forget that the mayor has already raised enough money for the construction of the hospital through the declassification and sale of public land and assets from 2014 until this year. This loan only contributes to a fundraising policy of the mayor whose destination of the money is unclear. The city hall has already requested 3,1 billion in loans, and we cannot collaborate with this further irresponsibility," said Marta.
The loan agreement with Caixa indicates that of the total funds, R$ 63 million would be allocated to the Municipal Hospital and R$ 12 million to the redevelopment works in the Historic Center.
"The construction of the Hospital was the justification for the sale of public assets by the mayor in 2014, and now in 2017, new sales occurred which, according to the Finance Department, would also help in the completion of the work. Of the 59 properties authorized for sale by Law 8655/2014, 14 were sold, totaling between 2014 and 2016 the entry into the municipal coffers of R$ 82.452.169,52. When analyzing the contract for the construction of the hospital, we realize that the amount collected from the sales is greater than the total value of the Hospital, of R$ 78.4 million," argues the councilwoman.
According to the Workers' Party member, there are still 45 properties that have been released from public use and authorized for sale by Law 8655/2014, and another 32 areas and 17 rooms that have also been released from public use and authorized for sale by Law 9233/2017. "There are more than enough sources of funding for the implementation and completion of the hospital's construction. The mayor needs to explain why he is requesting this additional loan. There is a clear and evident flaw in the project's motivation concerning the hospital."
Artworks
Marta Rodrigues also believes that the justification for obtaining funding for redevelopment works in the Historic Center "is completely distorted from reality."
"The project mentions the loss of residents, but this loss is a result of the commitment and priority given by public managers to benefiting the business class and speculation," points out the Workers' Party member. "Neto wants to continue the gentrification policy of his grandfather, who, back in the 90s when he was governor, initiated an intervention project in the Historic Center focused on tourism and economic potential to the detriment of social relations and the permanence of residents. The aesthetic impact disfigured old faces and symbols of the Center, in a clear process of gentrification," says the councilwoman.