Lula meets with Eduardo Leite and government publishes MPs to release resources to RS

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) met this Wednesday (27) with the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB), to address the state’s needs after heavy rains in the state caused by a cyclone extratropical in early September. At the meeting, Lula signed two provisional measures that help operationalize R$1 billion in loans via the National Social Development Bank (BNDES).

The credit is aimed at businesspeople and rural producers who suffered material losses in municipalities that declared a state of calamity, informed Palácio do Planalto. “From the beginning, the federal government has acted and continues to act to meet local demands, allocating the necessary structure and resources to face the rains. A delegation from the federal government will return this Thursday to the state to strengthen actions in partnership with the government of state and municipalities”, said the president in social media.

According to Leite, the first lady, Rosângela da Silva, known as Janja, will participate in the delegation of ministers that goes to the state. The governor avoided criticizing the absence of the president, who did not visit the region after the heavy rains. “It is important [o governo federal] work together with us for reconstruction. We do not address this issue [ausência de Lula no estado]. We discussed measures, and measures are being taken. The president is going to have surgery now, so I’m not going to demand his presence”, said Leite after the meeting, reported the Folha de S. Paulo.

Leite stated that the climate forecast for Rio Grande do Sul for the next three months is for more intense rain. Therefore, in addition to discussing the reconstruction of what the state has already faced, possible actions in the event of future climate events were discussed. “I expressed concern about the forecast of significant rainfall in the coming months, which will require permanent actions from the public authorities. I also asked for the inclusion and possible qualification of all municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul in the pilot tests of Cell Broadcast (alert service)” , said the governor in social media.