One day after IBGE announced that there is 18,4 millions of people without water and sewage in Brazil, the economist Monica de Bolle, senior researcher at senior researcher at senior researcher at School for Advanced International Studies senior researcher at Johns Hopkins University, defended in a meeting with CEOs of the largest companies in Brazil, what investments in infrastructure, especially in basic sanitation, it will be the "propellant spring" for the resumption of business after the pandemic. For a virtual audience of 140 company representatives she listed beyond infrastructure, the need for social protection and the prominence of sustainability as the tripod to guarantee business in the recovery that, Monday she, should be in the form of a "zigzag"
Monica highlighted that investments in infrastructure generate millions of jobs and move several sectors, like civil construction, for example, and a whole extensive supply chain, whose maintenance should be the priority focus of large companies at the present time.. With regard to social protection, Monica added that countries that are managing to provide a basic income for the self-employed and people who are in informal work, has had positive results in social isolation. About the sustainable development agenda, she highlighted that “sustainability is now on the investors' agenda and the pandemic has accelerated the urgency of some issues that we have been discussing for a long time”.
Over an hour and a half of dialogue with companies, Monica also stressed that the support for vulnerable populations in Brazil has been done with three-month emergency aid, provided by the Federal Government. "But apparently, this time should be extended, to ensure that these workers stay at home and reduce the contagion curve in the country". In her analysis, she recalled that "this crisis is not of an economic nature at the outset, but of public health". That, according to her, impacts future economic scenarios and therefore the need for long-term planning. "We will not have a linear recovery of the economy, but rather a zigzag movement, with intermittent quarantines, with relaxation of sanitary measures and reimpositions until we manage to zero the contagion by the coronavirus", stated. The debate is available in full onyoutube.
The new Sanitation Legal Framework
The new Legal Framework for Basic Sanitation was recently approved by the National Congress and aims to guarantee the access of millions of Brazilians to water and sewage treatment services.
Today, no Country, 35 millions of people do not have access to treated water and 104 millions, do not have sewage collection services. With the legal framework, the Ministry of Economy estimates attracting R$ 700 billions in investments for the sector; and generate about 700 thousand jobs in the next 14 years old.
Among the new rules for the sector approved by the Legislative, are opening bids for water and sewage services, the authorization for the private sector to enter the concessions and a deadline for municipalities to put an end to landfills.
The new legal framework also defines goals for the universalization of sanitation services until 31 december 2033: ensure the service of 99% of the population with drinking water and 90%, with sewage treatment.
The project also sets new deadlines for cities to close open dumps: Until 2021 to capitals and metropolitan regions and even 2024 for municipalities with less than 50 thousand inhabitants.
By the text approved by the National Congress, low-income families would receive subsidies to cover the cost of services and free connection to the sewage network. Other criteria must also be met., like non-interruption of services, reduction of losses and improvement in treatment processes.
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