Ufal's budget will suffer a 33% cut until March.

Alagoas247 - The rector of the Federal University of Alagoas (Ufal), Eurico Lôbo, announced this Thursday morning (26) that the institution will have a monthly budget cut of 33% until next month, which implies a reduction of approximately R$ 3 million in investments. The measure is part of the austerity actions adopted by the federal government to achieve the surplus targets this year.

With the reduction in funding, investments in new projects will be cut, as well as the payment of new scholarships and travel allowances. However, according to the rector of Ufal, the payment of scholarships to approximately 5 students at the institution is guaranteed.

"Previously, we had a monthly transfer that varied between R$ 8 million and R$ 9 million per month. Now we are facing a 33% reduction. The expectation is that the budget will be voted on in early March, and then we will assess the situation," Lôbo informed the press in an interview.

The rector stressed, however, that Ufal continues to function normally and said that its activities will not be disrupted. "The University remains functioning normally. No activities have been paralyzed. But, in addition to these measures, other actions have been adopted, such as turning off the air conditioning from 16 pm onwards and conserving water," he reinforced.

Losses after power surges 

Following the announcement by the Information Technology Center (NTI) of Ufal (Federal University of Alagoas) regarding the approximately R$ 2 million in losses due to equipment burned and damaged by the heavy rains in Maceió, the rector clarified that the constant power outages directly affected the work being carried out at the university. However, he assured that the execution of services should be fully resumed in the coming days. 

"We cannot give a precise estimate of the damage caused. It was an atypical situation that happened throughout the state. Technicians are analyzing the case to determine who is responsible and the value of the damage. It is premature to point to A or B as responsible for the losses," he informed.

Electrical substation

The University and the Ministry of Education (MEC) are negotiating the construction of an electrical substation within Ufal, which should prevent losses.

"This substation aims to provide technical stability to UFAL for the next 20 or 30 years. We expect to start this project by next year," he added.

About NDI

A Gazetaweb received a complaint that the children at the Child Development Center (NDI), who study full-time, were missing classes due to a lack of school meals being prepared because of a broken industrial stove. 

"I became aware of the situation at the daycare center and have already taken the necessary steps. The University Restaurant is located near the unit and will provide meals for the children. I have also asked the infrastructure staff to provide an industrial stove in the coming days to give the NDI autonomy," the rector explained.

With gazetaweb.com