JB demands that Mercadante expedite projects for Sergipe.

ASN - In a meeting with Minister Aloizio Mercadante, of the Civil House, this Tuesday, the 10th, in Brasília, Governor Jackson Barreto discussed the main demands of Sergipe to the Federal Government. The meeting was based on the Sergipe governor's audience with President Dilma Rousseff on November 27, 2014.

The construction of the passenger terminal at Aracaju Airport, oil and gas exploration by Petrobras, the Xingó Canal project, the Carnalita Project, and the Lagarto Regional Hospital were the topics addressed by the governor. The Chief of Staff gave further instructions on the requests during the meeting.

Airport

After reporting that the modernization works at Santa Maria Airport in the capital, including the new runway and aircraft apron, are in an advanced stage, Jackson Barreto urged the inclusion of the passenger terminal construction in the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). The minister, explaining the current difficulties in obtaining federal funding, suggested that the new terminal be built under a concession agreement.

Mercadante called the Minister of the Civil Aviation Secretariat, Eliseu Padilha, requesting a study on the feasibility of the concession system. With this study, it will then be possible to decide which is the best alternative. The terminal is budgeted at R$ 300 million.

Xingo

Among the most impactful infrastructure projects for the state, the Xingó Canal also received prominent attention. In the same vein, Mercadante called Minister Gilberto Occhi, of National Integration, inquiring about the project.

"The minister informed us that the Xingó project is progressing well," the Chief of Staff immediately reported. A highlight of the governor's agenda with President Dilma Rousseff, the canal project is in its final stages of development by the São Francisco and Parnaíba Valley Development Company (Codevasf).

Mercadante added that, on the morning of Wednesday the 11th, he will meet with the Minister of National Integration, when he will discuss the Xingó Canal project. In its first phase, the canal, a project for multiple water uses and productive inclusion, and not just irrigation, is expected to cost R$ 1,5 billion.

Petrobras

Jackson Barreto confirmed the importance for Sergipe of the Deep Waters I and II projects, as well as the implementation of a new gas processing unit in Rosário do Catete. The recent oil and gas discoveries in deep waters off the coast of Sergipe further boost the state's energy potential.

According to the minister, these projects maintained their progress according to the state-owned oil company's schedule. The governor recalled that this year Petrobras announced the discovery of light oil and natural gas in ultra-deep waters in the Sergipe Basin. The forecast is for 200 barrels of oil per day and 15 million cubic meters of gas per day.

Carnallite

Essential for supplying part of the fertilizer deficit consumed by Brazil, the extraction of carnallite by Vale do Rio Doce remains a top priority for the State Government. The governor urged the minister to maintain the Carnallite Project, informing him that there are no longer any conflicts between the municipalities of Capela and Japaratuba regarding the location of the plant.

Mercadante then called Murilo Ferreira, president of Vale. The executive informed him that he would personally visit Sergipe sometime in March. The Carnalita Project, from whose ore potassium, essential for agriculture, is extracted, is expected to generate 1.000 direct and 2.750 indirect jobs during the operational phase. The project, in its two implementation phases, is expected to cost US$4 billion.

Hospital

Finally, the governor requested swift action on the federalization of the Lagarto Regional Hospital, an area with the highest population density in the state. Mercadante said he will speak directly with the Minister of Education, Cid Gomes. The initiative, which aims to expand hospital services, has the support of the Federal University of Sergipe.

The new representative of the Sergipe office in Brasília, Conceição Vieira, and the Secretary of Health, José Sobral, are assisting the governor during the meeting at the Palácio do Planalto.

Jackson Barreto also had meetings at the Ministries of Fisheries and Agriculture, National Integration, Health, and Sports.