Water Security in Rio Grande do Norte Discussed in Meeting with Government and Local City Hall Leaders

On Wednesday (25), the Minister of Integration and Regional Development, Waldez Goés, discussed with the Governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Fátima Bezerra (PT), the advances in strengthening the water security of Rio Grande do Norte.

The main demands regarding the water security of Rio Grande do Norte conveyed to the minister include the completion of the Oiticica Dam, the continuity of the Seridó project, and the construction of the Agreste Water Adductor.

Water security of Rio Grande do Norte, whose first phase of execution is being prepared by the São Francisco and Parnaíba Corporation Valleys (Codevasf), and the project developed for the implementation of complementary works to the Project for the Integration of the São Francisco River.

“We addressed both the São Francisco transposition works related to Rio Grande do Norte as well as the integration works to the transposition. We left here with many follow-ups, and in the Lula government, many deliveries will be made, generating many possibilities for improving the Human Development Index across the Brazilian Northeast,” emphasized Minister Waldez Goés.

Apodi Also Came Up in Discussions With Investment of Nearly 1 Billion

The meeting’s agenda also included the Apodi fork. The 115.5 kilometers of water infrastructure will benefit approximately 750,000 people in 54 municipalities across the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Ceará when completed. The federal investment in the project is R$ 1.6 billion, with R$ 938.5 million allocated to physical works.

“The Apodi Branch has secured resources, and in 2025, this work will be delivered. We know what the Apodi Branch means to ensure that the waters of São Francisco benefit the Rio Grande do Norte as a whole. I want to thank the minister for all the sensitivity and attention the ministry is giving us,” emphasized Fátima Bezerra.

The president of Coddasf, Marcelo Moreira, also highlighted the importance of the meeting on Wednesday. “We have already worked on several very important projects in Rio Grande do Norte, and we will continue each of them; some should be delivered in 2024, such as the first part of the Seridó Adutor, which will benefit millions,” he emphasized.

Also participating in the meeting from the Potiguar delegation were Walter Alves, Vice-Governor of Rio Grande do Norte; Maria Virgínia Ferreira Lopes, Extraordinary Secretary for Project and Special Goals Management; Gustavo Fernandes Rosado Coelho, Secretary of Infrastructure; Paulo Lopes Varella, Secretary of the Environment and Water Resources (SEMARH); Carlos Nobre de Oliveira, Deputy Secretary of SEMARH; Maria da Guia Cunha Dantas, special advisor; Odon Júnior, Mayor of Currais Novos.