Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
0 comments 
The Dispute For Oil Royalties In The Metropolitan Region Of Rio Gains A New Chapter After The Mayor Of Niterói Proposes The Creation Of A Fund Of R$ 200 Million For Development Actions In São Gonçalo, Amid A Legal Impasse Involving STF, ANP And Municipalities In The Eastern Fluminense.
The Redistribution Of Oil Royalties Has Returned To The Center Of Political And Institutional Debate In The Eastern Fluminense Metropolitan Region. This Occurred After The Mayor Of Niterói, Rodrigo Neves, Released A Video In Which He Stated His Willingness To Create An Annual Fund Of R$ 200 Million Aimed At Development Actions In São Gonçalo.
The Proposal Emerges In The Context Of A Protracted Legal Dispute And Political Articulations Among Municipalities Claiming Changes In The Criteria For The Distribution Of Revenue From Oil.
The Initiative Was Announced Just Days After A Meeting Among Mayors In The Region, Led By The Mayor Of Rio De Janeiro, Eduardo Paes. At The Meeting, The Municipal Managers Advocated For Cooperation And Solidarity In The Face Of The Legal Impasse Involving The So-Called “Main Production Zone” Defined By The National Petroleum Agency (ANP). This Zone Is Determinative In Establishing Which Municipalities Are Entitled To The Largest Share Of Oil Royalties.
-
Lula reveals a masterstroke by Petrobras to undo a deal made by Bolsonaro, which involves the return of an important refinery that currently produces less than half of what was expected and makes Brazil dependent on international diesel.
-
A study confirms that the natural gas sector will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil by 0.5% and accelerate the energy transition by 2026.
-
Petrobras implements a severe adjustment and confirms a 55% increase in the price of aviation kerosene with a proposal for installment payments for the companies.
-
The rise in oil prices could ensure an extra revenue of R$ 100 billion for the Federal Government, indicates a recent economic study.
Billion-Dollar Fund Proposal And Impact On The Municipal Budget
According To The Niterói City Hall, Any Changes In The Criteria For Defining The Main Production Zone Could Result In A Loss Of Up To 11% In The Municipality’s Revenue. This Is Considered A Significant Impact, As Oil Royalties Represent A Relevant Slice Of The Local Budget.
Even In This Scenario, Rodrigo Neves Stated He Is Willing To Create A Permanent Development Fund For São Gonçalo, Provided That The Approval Of Bill No. 4,504, Authored By Federal Deputy Dimas Gadelha (PT), Is Obtained. The Proposal Has Already Advanced In The Chamber Of Deputies’ Budget Committee And Is Seen As A Legislative Alternative To Overcome The Legal Impasse.
In The Video Released On Social Media, The Mayor Of Niterói Emphasized That He Seeks No Political Confrontation And Stated He Is Open To Dialogue With The Mayor Of São Gonçalo, Captain Nelson. In His Speech, He Also Mentioned Recent Decisions By Higher Courts Regarding The Dispute Involving The Oil Production Zone.
“I Am Not A Candidate For Anything Next Year, But I Want To Tell You That The STF (Supreme Federal Court), The STJ (Superior Court Of Justice), And The TRF (Regional Federal Court) In Brasília, Unanimously, Have Already Rejected São Gonçalo’s Request Regarding The Oil Production Zone. But There Is A Way Out. It Is The Bill 4,504 From Deputy Dimas (Gadelha, From PT), Which Has Already Been Approved In The Budget Committee. And, From The Approval Of This Bill, I Am Willing To Invest R$ 200 Million A Year In This Development Fund For São Gonçalo. So That The City Can Face Organized Crime And Ensure Better Public Safety. To Do What We Did In Niterói. Invest In Delegates For The Civil Police, Triple The Number Of PM Officers On The Streets, Strengthen The Fight Against Barricades, And Invest In Youth, With Technical Schools And The Reopening Of Cieps,” He Stated.
Cooperation Between Municipalities Gains Political Strength
Before The Release Of Rodrigo Neves’ Video, Eduardo Paes Had Already Publicly Advocated The Need For Unity Among The Municipalities Affected By The Discussion Of Oil Royalties. At A Meeting Held At The São Gonçalo City Hall, Paes Appeared Alongside The Mayors Of Maricá, Magé, And Guapimirim, In Addition To The Host Captain Nelson.
During The Meeting, Paes Criticized How The Division Of Royalties Has Been Treated Over The Years And Reinforced The Message That Administrative Boundaries Should Not Deepen Regional Inequalities.
“The Divisions Between Our Municipalities Are Political-Administrative. It Is Unacceptable That We Have Such An Unfair Discussion About Oil Royalties.”
The Mayor Of Maricá, Washington Quaquá, Also Positioned Himself In Favor Of A Joint Action. According To Him, Regional Cooperation Goes Beyond The Legal Dispute And Should Focus On Practical Solutions To Historic Problems Faced By Municipalities In The Eastern Fluminense And Part Of The Baixada.
“We Are Neighbors, So It Makes Sense. It Is A Well-Deserved Agreement For The People Of Guapimirim, São Gonçalo, And Magé,” He Argued.
São Gonçalo At The Center Of The Legal Impasse
Among The Involved Municipalities, São Gonçalo Occupies A Central Position In The Dispute Over Oil Royalties. The City Hall Is Trying To Mobilize Political And Institutional Support To Reverse Judicial Decisions That, So Far, Maintain Niterói As The Main Beneficiary Of The Revenue.
The Mayor Captain Nelson Emphasized That The Discussion Should Be Treated As A Social Issue, Not A Party Issue. He Highlighted The Impact That Any Redistribution Would Have On The City, Which Faces Historical Structural Difficulties In The Areas Of Health, Security, And Infrastructure.
“Here, No One Is Talking About Politics. We Are Talking About Humanity, About Better Health For A People That Has Been Living Decades Of Delay,” He Said.
STF Maintains Niterói Revenue, But Merit Remains Under Review
The Debate About Oil Royalties Resurfaced About Three Months After The Supreme Federal Court Rejected An Appeal Presented By São Gonçalo, Magé, And Guapimirim. The City Halls Sought To Change The Criteria For The Distribution Of Revenue, Based On A Preliminary Ruling That Had Even Included São Gonçalo In The Main Production Zone.
The STF Understood That There Is No Right To Appeal Against Provisional Decisions, Such As Preliminary Rulings, And Maintained The Understanding That Follows The Technical Opinions Of The ANP And The Brazilian Institute Of Geography And Statistics (IBGE). As A Result, The Billion-Dollar Revenue Of Niterói Was Preserved, At Least Temporarily.
Despite This, The Merit Of The Action Has Not Yet Been Judged. The IBGE Had Committed To Present New Technical Studies Within 80 Days, A Deadline That Was Not Met. The Supreme Court Denied The Request For An Extension And Awaits The Data To Proceed With The Case.
Political And Legislative Alternatives Come Into Play
Since The Beginning Of The Year, Eduardo Paes And Washington Quaquá Had Signaled The Possibility Of Reallocating Part Of The Oil Royalties To The Municipalities Seeking A New Distribution. However, The Proposal Presented By Rodrigo Neves Expands The Debate By Suggesting A Permanent Mechanism For Financial Transfer.
The Creation Of A Specific Fund For São Gonçalo, Conditional On The Approval Of A Federal Bill, Introduces A New Element In The Discussion. Thus, The Dispute No Longer Focuses Solely On The Judiciary And Also Involves The National Congress.
As The Legal Impasse Remains Undefined, The Fund Proposal Rekindles The Debate On Fiscal Justice, Regional Cooperation, And The Role Of Oil Royalties In The Development Of Municipalities Historically Marked By Inequalities.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!