“I prefer to act than to speak”, says councilor Eduardo Assis

Manaus (AM) – Elected in 2020 as councilor of Manaus, Eduardo Assis (Avante) obtained 5,087 votes. Since then, he has been the vice-chairman of the 4th Commission on Education (Comed) and now serves as chairman of the 19th Commission on Consumer Protection (COMDEC). To Em Tempo, the parliamentarian told how Comdec’s performance will be in the second biennium and explained why he decided to leave the deputy leadership of the base of the mayor of Manaus, David Almeida. As a situation politician, he emphasized that the most important thing is to provoke the Public Power to act, through requests: “The tone of the speech can be of a more fierce demand, in case someone is ‘in opposition’. I’d rather act than speak.”

Manoel Eduardo dos Santos Assis is a native of Manaus, and was born on July 6, 1981. Graduated in law, he began to act in politics in 2020 when he assumed his first term as councilor of Manaus. In 2022, he ran for state deputy, but failed to get elected.

In time – You were elected president of the 19th Consumer Defense Commission (COMDEC) of the Manaus City Council. How do you intend to work to guarantee the rights of consumers in the city? What will be the Commission’s main lines of action?

Eduardo Assis – In the 2021-2022 biennium, I served as vice-president of the Consumer Defense Commission, and now as President I will continue to implement the same procedure: the people want practical results for their problems, be it the proper conclusion of a service from the water and sewage, which leaves damage to the sidewalk and asphalt, or a conciliation hearing to negotiate a debt with a bank.

The commission’s role is to receive complaints and act, either by monitoring and notifying, or promoting an administrative conciliation hearing. It is to continue acting, going beyond speech. This is how we will continue to make a difference in practice.

As I am also a militant lawyer in the area of ​​consumer law, with experience in more than 1,000 lawsuits, over the years of law practice, I help by passing on guidelines regarding the paths that can be taken administratively or judicially, for those who come to support violation of the your consumer rights and even your image, depending on the case

ET – Every year, during the period of heavy rains, the population of Manaus suffers from floods in several neighborhoods of the city. How is it possible to solve this problem that is constant in the first months of the year? Does the CMM already discuss effective resolutions in the face of this reality?

Eduardo Assis – The city grew very quickly and without urban planning, with many neighborhoods resulting from invasions, in addition to the drainage structure and water flow built at the time, it proved to be insufficient to support so many cubic meters of water. It should also be noted that climate change contributes greatly to increased rainfall, which is why our city has suffered from floods.

However, the City Hall, through SEMINF, has been carrying out work on a daily basis to replace old pipes that had less flow per cubic meter, for the adequate size for the current reality, in addition to building more drainage networks in neighborhoods where they never had, who live in these areas or follow them on social media, they have noticed that the City Hall’s work does not stop.

Manaus has in Mayor David someone willing to solve the legacy of problems that previous administrations left. Last year and this year, I was able to monitor complex services, such as the containment works on Igarapé do Passarinho and Colonia Santo Antônio. You can’t solve everything in just two years, but what we are able to do, as a councilor, I will always work to make it happen. I believe that we will solve, one by one, all these problems.

ET – Last week, you left the deputy leadership of Mayor David Almeida in the CMM, and highlighted that you have “other missions within the party”, Avante. What would those missions be?

Eduardo Assis – In addition to the Consumer Defense Commission, I am vice-president of two Commissions: the Education Commission and the Human Rights Commission. We are already working to ensure the reforms that some schools need. Some reforms are so big that I consider them to be practically reconstructions, such as the Paulo César da Silva Nonato School, in the Nova Esperança do Tiú community, which will go from the 20 students it formerly would allow to a structure capable of receiving almost 400 students. This is just one of the missions. There is much to be done for Manaus, and we need men of action. I made myself available to the population and was elected to act, and that’s what I want to keep doing, turning promises into practical results.

ET – Regarding the CMM’s relationship with the city hall, how do you see the mayor’s base within the Legislative House? Is there a good dialogue between the Executive and Legislative powers? What is the importance of a harmonious and at the same time independent relationship between the powers?

Eduardo Assis – I am a supporter of Mayor David because I believe he acts to solve problems. What the population expects, whether you are an “opposition” or “situational” politician, is that you prepare the necessary Requirement to provoke the Public Power to act. The tone of the speech can be of a more fierce demand, in case someone is “in opposition”. I’d rather act than speak. Dialogue is very positive in all groups, and I see a commitment to what each one believes is best for the city. This is what must prevail.

ET – Since the formation of the Board of Directors, CMM has promised to be closer to the population and to establish itself as “the people’s house”. How does the House intend to fulfill this promise?

Eduardo Assis – The City Council is already “The House of the People”. I’m there. It is not up to the institution, but to each councilor, individually, to act and demonstrate this. But unfortunately not everyone does, and some who do, don’t disclose. This leaves the population with the impression that politicians are distant from the people. I live with those who elected me not only during the campaign, but throughout the term of office. As long as politicians appear only at election time, the people will remain in disbelief.

ET – Do you plan to run for re-election next year? Or do you plan to prepare for other positions?

Eduardo Assis – In 2022, I received 14,108 votes for state deputy. I’m an alternate. In 2022, I intend to run for re-election as councilor to continue the work I have been developing. There were thousands of requests during this period that were filed and hundreds of assistances. I want and can do more.

ET – What general balance do you make of the last two years of CMM’s activities? What were the successes of the House and what advances still need to be made in the years 2023 and 2024?

Eduardo Assis – More and more people are involved in politics. Today we see more and more people who challenge that stereotype of not remembering who they voted for. My supporters have stayed in touch and held accountable for the past 2 years. I was able to do what was asked of me, and that resulted in an increase in the support I get on the streets. Demanding that those elected to produce more and better, and not to be present in plenary sessions, is the path that will allow an evolution in our political representation.

ET – Finally, what were the main actions you carried out in the last two years? What flags and projects will be your focus?

Eduardo Assis – In the last two years I was able to file hundreds of propositions, among them are the Law Projects, Requirements and Indications for the City Hall of Manaus, which for the most part have already been met. Paving the street, unclogging sewers, drainage, renovated school, Level 4 Basic Health Unit. We have moved forward with requests and want to do much more for our city, which needs much attention from us politicians.

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