12.09.2008
MAB inaugurates micro-plants in the south

Yesterday (11/09), in an official ceremony, entities of dam affected people and Eletrosul signed an agreement for the construction of three ethanol plants in the States of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. This was an achievement of a riverine families organized in the Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB).

The plants will be constructed in the municipalities of Anita Garibaldi and Cerro Negro (SC) and Esmeralda (RS). More than 400 riverine families will benefit from the project.

The plants will produce animal feed, organic fertilizer and other products like juices, jams and brown sugar. Later the plants will produce ethanol which will be used in tractors and vehicles of the people in the rural areas.

According to Ivanor Barbosa, from the regional coordination of MAB, this agreement demonstrates the importance of the struggle and organization of dam affected people who, for a long time, have been demanding compensation for the damages caused by the construction of the Hydroelectric Plant Barra Grande.

Ivanor affirms: “we believe that energy production and consumption should be under the control of the people. We are discussing with the communities the ways of distribution of ethanol and the other products of the plants. This project has been discussed for six years, after signing the Social Agreement of Barra Grande, one of the victories of MAB against the Baesa Consortium”.