MS border municipalities can receive US$ 21 million from Mercosul for projects

Three municipalities in the border region of Mato Grosso do Sul may receive US$21 million for investment in development projects. These are initiatives submitted by the municipalities of Amambai, Ponta Porã and Corumbá, selected by Cofiex (External Financing Commission) of the Federal Government to receive resources from Focem (Mercosul Structural Convergence Fund).

However, each municipality still needs to do its part to receive the resources: each proponent has 180 days to prepare the project to be presented to Focem. In addition, they must have financial compensation of at least 15% of the total value of the project.

If everything goes well, Corumbá could receive US$9.123 million to invest in the Water Loss Levels Reduction Program. Ponta Porã may receive US$7 million for the Border Strip Development Program. Finally, in Amambai, US$5.100 million can be allocated to the Road Contour Project.

Mercosur resources for sanitation of indigenous communities

Mato Grosso do Sul should also receive resources from Focem (Mercosul Structural Convergence Fund) to solve a chronic problem: the lack of basic sanitation in indigenous communities. The announcement was made on Monday (29), by the Minister of Planning and Budget, Simone Tebet.

In a meeting with governor Eduardo Riedel (PSDB), Tebet detailed the Citizen Indigenous Project, Citizen Frontier, budgeted at US$ 12.750 million from Focem, in addition to counterpart resources from the federal government, which bring the total value to around R$ 80 millions.

The project aims to improve access to drinking water and basic sanitation; access to civil documentation and social security; access to housing infrastructure; and access to indigenous assistance provided by Funai (National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples). Presented by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, the project focuses on the states’ border region with Mercosur.

Resources to reduce water loss levels in Corumbá

The municipality of Corumbá may receive 9 million dollars from Mercosul for the Sanesul (Mato Grosso do Sul Sanitation Company) project to implement the Water Loss Levels Reduction program. To do so, a minimum contribution of US$1.693 million is required.

The project provides for ensuring adequate access to water for populations in vulnerable areas, with benefits from a social and health point of view. Among the planned actions are:

1. Reduction of water losses (Reuse) and Waste Treatment from the Water Treatment Plant
2. Infrastructure Rehabilitation Works and Adaptation of the Distribution System to Reduce Real Losses
3. Actions to combat apparent losses

The project also provides for ensuring adequate access to water for populations in areas of irregular occupation/vulnerability, with benefits from a social and health point of view. This objective will be achieved by regularizing 2,366 irregular connections and answering 392 calls in areas identified as vulnerable.

Development on the Border Strip in Ponta Porã

Proposed by the Government of Mato Grosso do Sul, the project that includes Ponta Porã is worth 7 million dollars, with a counterpart of US$ 1.235 million for investment in Development in the Border Strip.

In practice, it provides for improvement and safety actions on road circulation, such as the requalification of roads, including paving and restoration, installation of traffic lights, cycle paths, sidewalks, public lighting and surface drainage of rainwater.

Improvements will be made to the functionality of Trevo do Cuia and roundabouts, with interventions in the physical infrastructure and improvements to vertical and horizontal signage. The Flamboyant Urban Park will also be implemented with equipment for social, leisure and sporting activities. The approved support for the project from the MS government totals US$7 million.

The actions aim to reduce accidents and improve urban mobility and traffic safety, reducing travel times, as well as encouraging the use of alternative transport and sustainable travel practices (cycle lanes), impacting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions .

The actions at Trevo da Cuia and the traffic lights on BR-463 will contribute to improving production flow by reducing travel times and providing greater safety in the circulation of trucks. The improvements will promote more efficient road circulation and facilitate bus traffic, benefiting public transport.

Amambai wants to invest in a road contour

The city of Amambai is seeking US$5 million to invest in the construction of a road bypass in the city. To do this, it needs to invest US$900,000 in compensation in the project, which will allow faster travel for cars and trucks.

The contour will help drivers who will no longer have to face the inconvenience caused by traffic of more than 800 trucks per day, but also for all truck drivers and producers who use the city as an important crossing point between Brazil and Paraguay. and other Mercosur countries.