The socialist councilor in Braga City Council, Artur Feio, revealed to MINHO that he will investigate why four former advisors from the Municipality have recently joined the staff: “I don’t suspect anything but the PS would like to understand why and how occurred”, he highlighted, stressing that he will ask for information on the issue.
In response, Ricardo Rio told O MINHO that, “the fact that people perform functions as political advisors does not inhibit them from competing in public recruitment competitions in which they are subject to all evaluation stages, some of which are completely external to the Municipality. ”.
And he highlights: “The advisors that the municipality has hired are extremely qualified people, as is also demonstrated by the fact that many have been hired by other public and private entities, which means that I am not surprised by the fact that they manage to be well placed in these contests.”
And Rio counterattacks: “As for the Councilor’s concerns, I must say that the times of the entire Executive (political) family taking over the Chamber and municipal companies by storm ended in 2013”.
Opposition is neither had nor found
At the last meeting of the Executive, the opposition (PS and CDU) criticized the lack of conditions for carrying out their functions, both in terms of facilities and participation in decisions.
Socialist councilor Artur Feio, regarding an item on the agenda regarding the evaluation report of the Statute of Right to Oppose, said that, in addition to a small office in the Gnration building, the PS “is marginalized in the discussion of all decisions important.”
He asked for better conditions to carry out his duties, both in terms of facilities and participation in decisions.
He highlighted the case of the BRT (Rapid Transport Bus) – an investment of 100 million euros –, the Sete Fontes eco-monumental park project, and also the solutions for Housing or the new WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant) : “we are in an office far from the Chamber and the dossiers, without the right to advisors, but what’s worse is that they don’t accept our proposals”, he lamented.
CDU councilor Vítor Rodrigues corroborated the criticism, highlighting that he asked a question in January about the water lines that remains unanswered. Regarding this repair, councilor João Rodrigues explained that this is due to the fact that the map of the Municipal Master Plan is out of date, and a georeferencing process is being completed.
Ricardo Rio countered that major projects are presented to the opposition so that they can speak out or give suggestions, but he stressed that those who have to decide and execute are the PSD/CDS majority, elected for this purpose: “one thing is to present and listen to all the parties . Another is to decide. We will not give up on this”, he highlighted.
