The sanitation concessionaire Águas do Rio and the energy company Light interrupted services provided to the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) this week. The cuts were made due to debts totaling R$49.8 million. On Tuesday (11) the University lost power and this Wednesday (13) it was the turn of the water supply to be interrupted.
Between March and November 2024, the University had R$31.8 million in debt with Light. Furthermore, there is R$3.9 million in unpaid installments from an agreement signed in 2020. “At the time, Light and the UFRJ rectory agreed to pay in installments a debt of R$21.3 million; however, only R$13 million has been paid to date,” the company said in a statement. The measure, according to Light, was taken after a court decision.
In the case of water supply, the debts are R$18 million, according to the University. The concessionaire did not confirm the amount of the debt, but stated that several meetings were held with the UFRJ rectory to reach an agreement.
Both the cut in water and electricity supply do not affect services considered essential, related to the University’s health and safety, according to suppliers.
However, in a publication made on the institution’s news website, UFRJ rector Roberto Medronho classified the cuts as “arbitrary” and “cruel” and said he understood that the cut was illegal. “We understand that this is an illegal cut, as the court decision obliges the concessionaire to maintain supply in places where essential activities are carried out: teaching and research are essential activities”, said the dean during a “public class” held to speak on the institution’s budget.
The university budget would have to be almost doubled to pay off debts
According to the Ministry of Education (MEC), the updated allocation from all sources for UFRJ in 2024, except personnel, is R$430.5 million.
However, in the act carried out this morning, the university management estimated that just to pay the costs and debt installments, R$ 743.9 million would be needed annually, without considering the recovery of infrastructure or new investments.
In a note sent to People’s Gazettethe MEC stated that it has worked to restore the budget of Federal Institutions, but that they also have autonomy for financial and budgetary management. “Institutions have complete freedom to define their internal priorities, including the allocation of resources, the management of outsourced contracts and the execution of projects, according to their needs and institutional guidelines” pointed out the MEC in a note.
