Created to regulate land, Iterj has been used to renovate squares on behalf of the family of a politician married to the institute’s director | Rio de Janeiro

Institute of Land and Cartography of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Iterj), a body created to deal with land regularization throughout the state, has been used to finance renovations in public squares in the Campo Grande neighborhood, in the West Zone of Rio. The region is the political stronghold of deputy Jorge Felippe Neto (Avante)who is married to a director of the institute.

Mariana Felippe, director of regularization at Iterj, authorized the agency’s investments to renovate squares in Campo Grande. All locations were named after members of the politician’s family.

In one of the squares, the plaque on display bears the name of Mariana’s own husband, state deputy Jorge Felippe Neto. On the day of the inauguration, a banner also featured the name of the parliamentarian’s grandmother, councilor Jorge Felippe (Avante).

Another square renovated by Iterj is named after Jorge Felippe’s mother. In another, tribute was paid to the councilor’s father. In a publicity image, Iterj employees themselves hold a banner thanking the politicians from the Felippe family.

To carry out the works, Iterj hired the construction company Ômega. The two contracts total almost R$30 million. One of the company’s partners, Márcio Freitas de Oliveira.

Iterj is responsible for land regularization in the state of Rio de Janeiro. I.e, The body is responsible for legalizing housing for low-income people. Works in squares are not part of the institute’s responsibilities.

However, Iterj tenders for these renovations to the squares appeared at the end of 2021. The date coincides with the arrival of Mariana Felippe at the institute.

The following year, in an internal document, the institute itself admitted that its main function had not been carried out successfully.

“Iterj’s biggest priority in 2022 was the granting of land regularization instruments. However, performance fell short of expectations,” said the internal document.

Representative Jorge Felippe Neto, who appears on the plaque displayed in the renovated square, was condemned in the last election for early election propaganda. At the time, he was punished by having his name placed on banners.

The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) considered that Jorge Felippe Neto carried out irregular advertising, through advertising on five banners posted on public poles in the Campo Grande neighborhood.

In a note, Iterj declared that it operates within federal and state laws and goes beyond handing over land title.

Regarding the company, the institute reported that a tender was carried out and no impediments were found.

The report sought out councilor Jorge Felippe and deputy Jorge Felippe Neto at the Chamber and at Alerj, but they did not want to record an interview.

Also in a note, the deputy informed that he has no interference in the actions of state bodies, but highlighted that it is the parliamentarian’s role to take the population’s demands to the executive branch.

Councilor Jorge Felippe informed that it is the role of the legislature to take the population’s demands to the executive.

Omega company representatives did not respond to contacts made by RJ2.