City councilors in Bom Jesus do Itabapoana approve plebiscite to decide the future of water.

In a session held this Thursday (February 12th), the City Council of Bom Jesus do Itabapoana took a decisive step in defense of public assets. Unanimously, the House approved the holding of a plebiscite — a popular consultation that will guarantee citizens the right to decide on the future of water and sewage services in the municipality.

The initiative, proposed by Councilor Léo Xandão and embraced by all parliamentarians, emerges as a possible democratic check amidst the privatization process conducted by the Intermunicipal Consortium for the Development of Northern and Northwestern Rio de Janeiro State (CIDENNF).

The Contrast: Auction on "Friday the 13th"
The announcement of the plebiscite comes at a critical moment. The bidding process for the concession of services is scheduled for this Friday, February 13th, coinciding with the beginning of the Carnival holiday. For STAECNON-RJ, the plebiscite represents a window of political and legal opportunity: after the opening of the envelopes, the result of the popular consultation will be the fundamental benchmark for the mayor to make the final decision, respecting the sovereign will of the people.

STAECNON-RJ on the front line
The union was present at the City Council, actively participating in the debate and reinforcing its technical and political position against handing over sanitation services to the private sector. The President of STAECNON-RJ, Josemar Violante, accompanied by directors Jose Guilherme, Marcos Aurélio, Juarez Bernardino, and Denise Pereira, attended the vote and celebrated the unity of the council members in support of the population.

"Our presence here today reaffirms STAECNON-RJ's unwavering commitment to public water. We will not accept that an essential resource be transformed into a commodity without society being heard. The approval of this plebiscite is a victory for transparency over the haste of large economic groups," declared Josemar Violante.

Heritage Protection
The union's struggle focuses on the risk of fare increases and the deterioration of services that privatization usually brings to the interior of Rio de Janeiro state. With the plebiscite approved, STAECNON-RJ is now calling on civil society and workers to mobilize, ensuring that the voice of the streets echoes at the ballot box.