The Ministério Público Federal (MPF) is calling for the immediate closure of 5 bars/restaurants at the tourist attraction “Praia do Jacaré”.
It is reported that in 2011 the 5 business were given 30 days notice to close. In an effort to find a negotiated solution, both the time limit and fines were suspended, but now some 3 years later enforcement procedures are being implemented as it is claimed, there has been little effective progress in finding a settlement.
Praia do Jacaré is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Paraiba and local business are claiming that if MPF get their way and close these restaurants, the cost to the local tourist economy and jobs will be massive.
The authorities have given two reasons for the evictions. Firstly, it is claimed that the businesses are illegal as they are unlicensed and secondly, that they have a negative environmental impact.
Similar measures have been taken at Praia do Poço and Praia de Intermares where a number of beach bars have been removed, there are plans to close and remove 23 more business that are still being processed through the court system.
Eder Dantas
The city of João Pessoa is considered one of the three most transparent cities of Brazil. The capital of Paraiba was tied for first with Rio de Janeiro and São Luís in classification made by the Institute for Socioeconomic Studies (INESC), in partnership with the Research Group on Public Policies for Access to Information, University of São Paulo (GPOPAI , USP). The ranking was released on Tuesday (29 July 2014).
To draw up the ranking, the Institute takes into consideration the amount of budget information available. According to the secretary of Transparency for João Pessoa, Eder Dantas, the capital of Paraiba has advanced from 24th place in 2011 to 1st in only three years. “This breakthrough is a result of actions taken based on the implementation of the Municipal Act on Access to Information”.
