In the country where 55.5% of the population identifies as black or brown, according to data from the 2022 Census, racial crimes are increasingly recurrent. In Minas Gerais, for example, records of racism jumped 98% — rising from 189 in 2022, to 376 in 2023. Cases of racial insults also increased in the last twelve months — 44% (from 496 to 718).
This was one of the topics in the news in the week between April 28th and May 4th. Another issue that had repercussions in recent days was the reduction of 21 buses in Belo Horizonte’s supplementary passenger transport, also known as the yellow buses. The decision by the city council of the capital caused revolt among permission holders, who work in these complementary lines. A demonstration was held on Friday (May 3).
The report of THE TIME listed below some topics that were highlighted during the week in Belo Horizonte and Minas Gerais.
Check out the summary:
Plan shelved after spending without practical actions will be updated by R$3 million
Resident of the Northeast region of Belo Horizonte, pharmacist Leandra Almeida, aged 40, spends between 1h20 and 3h30 commuting from home to work, in Caeté, a city 40 kilometers from the capital, in the metropolitan region. The wear and tear of commuting adds up to the daily expense of more than R$30 on tickets. I believe that with a single tariff it would be easier”, she says. What Leandra doesn’t know is that this solution was already mapped out more than a decade ago, in a plan costing more than R$6 million to state coffers. However, the study was shelved and will now undergo a review with a new planned investment of R$3.2 million.
The Integrated Development Master Plan (PDDI) was drawn up in 2009 and approved in 2011. The promise was to resolve problems linked to mobility, economic development, in addition to the creation of productive hubs with job creation. It was developed through a participatory process, which brought together metropolitan citizens and responsible technical entities, with the approval of the Metropolitan Development Deliberative Council (CDDM). Initially, the study cost R$3.09 million. In 2013, it was complemented with macrozoning (which is the division of the city into areas with certain construction profiles) at a cost of R$2.99 million.
None of this was carried forward. Years of investments and studies were archived in 2017. Now, renamed the Integrated Urban Development Plan for the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (PDUI-RMBH) – it is undergoing review without, however, having made important planned changes a reality, such as the expansion of subway lines, and with no guarantee of being approved. The new planned investment is 3.2 million and the study is expected to be completed in March 2025. The new plan will have five thematic axes: territorial planning, housing, mobility, socioeconomic development and the environment of the metropolitan region, which It is made up of 34 municipalities.
Factory will produce 2 million dengue mosquitoes with Wolbachia per week in MG
After studies indicated, still in 2019, a relationship between ore dam collapses and an increase in cases of dengue fever and other diseases, Minas Gerais took a step in an attempt to further repair this impact resulting from the environmental crime of Córrego do Feijão, in Brumadinho. , with the delivery of the Wolbachia Method Biofactory.
In a ceremony held last Monday (April 29) at the factory, located in the western region of Belo Horizonte, the State government announced that the forecast is for a weekly production of 2 million “Wolbitos”, as mosquitoes are called Aedes aegypti infected with the Wolbachia bacteria, capable of preventing them from transmitting arboviruses – dengue, zika and chikungunya.
The measure was announced amid the worst dengue epidemic in the history of Minas Gerais, with 324 confirmed deaths and another 769 under investigation, in addition to 556,000 cases already guaranteed by disease tests in 2024. However, the mosquito factory has the promise of medium to long-term effectiveness, making no difference in the current scenario of the disease in the State.
Expropriated land in Lagoinha, in BH, will give way to 80 popular apartments
Within a predicted period of up to four years, six expropriated plots of land that had their buildings demolished by the City of Belo Horizonte (PBH), at number 197 Avenida Antônio Carlos, in the Lagoinha neighborhood (Centro), should give way to a development consisting of around 80 housing units and one floor destined for a shopping center.
The project is part of the BH Center Requalification Program, launched in 2023, which has among its objectives the provision of social housing, in partnership with private companies that will act as investors. There, at least six companies operated as “junkyards”. The responsible businesspeople were contacted by the municipal executive and will receive compensation as agreements are signed, whether consensually or through the courts. The values were not disclosed by PBH.
‘The work with the capital’s trees is well done’, says Fuad after receiving award
The mayor of Belo Horizonte, Fuad Noman, assessed the work carried out with the trees in the capital of Minas Gerais as “well done, organized and structured”. On Tuesday (April 30), he received the certificate that certifies the municipality as a “Tree City of the World”. The title is granted by the Tree Cities of The World program, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
“I’m very pleased because this title we received, for me, is the greatest proof, because the work done with the capital’s trees is well done, structured and organized. It is work that gives pride to the people of Belo Horizonte”, said the mayor.
MG records an increase of up to 98% in racial crimes: ‘I will not remain silent’
“I feel unmotivated, without the energy to work. But I will not remain silent. I feel that by reporting I am doing it for myself and for so many people who suffer the same crime, which is so unacceptable.” The report comes from digital platform streamer Arlinda de Lima, 37 years old, one of the victims of racism in Minas Gerais in recent months. In one year, records of this type of crime jumped 98% — rising from 189 in 2022 to 376 in 2023.
Cases of racial insults also increased in the last twelve months — 44% (from 496 to 718). In the first two months of 2024 alone, the increase was even greater — 186%. In the first two months of last year, 82 cases were registered. In the same period this year (January and February), there were 235. The increase in incidents with security authorities is, in the analysis of experts, a reflection of social movements and, at the same time, shows confidence in the investigation of cases.
Nurse and health center employee are investigated for vaccine diversion
A nurse and another employee, who work at the Noraldino Lima Health Center, in the western region of Belo Horizonte, are being investigated for the diversion of 12 doses of the flu vaccine. The case occurred two weeks ago at the health center where they work, and is monitored by the Municipal Inspector General.
According to a complaint received by the THE TIME, the nurse would have aspirated 12 doses of the vaccine into a syringe at the request of this health unit employee. According to the complaint, she had requested the doses to vaccinate her family and friends, who would not be in the priority group to receive the immunization.
The vaccines would have been administered outside the health center, which constitutes an irregular practice. Only bedridden and debilitated patients can receive vaccination at home, with authorization from the health center manager.
Supplementary transport has a reduced fleet, and permission holders ask for negotiation
Belo Horizonte’s supplementary passenger transport, also known as yellow buses, had its fleet reduced by 21 cars. The system, which originally had 300 buses, operated with 242 buses, but started operating with only 221. The information is from the Union of Autonomous Supplementary Transport Permits (Sindpautras).
In total, there are 21 contracts that were expiring, belonging to the beneficiaries (widows and children) of licensees who died or became incapacitated. Additionally, two drivers have already given up their permits in recent weeks. In September 2023, Belo Horizonte City Hall called for surpluses from 2016 accreditation to replace vacancies, but only 49 candidates submitted the necessary documents.
Of these, 13 have completed all legal stages and have started to circulate in the city, and another 4 are in the final phase and should begin to operate in the coming weeks. The decision by the city council of the capital caused revolt among permission holders, who work in these complementary lines. A demonstration was held on Friday (3).
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Tags: Racial crimes vaccine diversion buses dengue summary week
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