São Paulo: Sabesp promises ‘again’ to clean up the Tietê River

The Basic Sanitation Company of the State of São Paulo (Sabesp) will present this week a new program to clean up the Tietê River in São Paulo.

The information was released on Tuesday, 28, during the fourth quarter results teleconference of the state-owned company.

The river clean-up is an “old” promise from the company.

The Tietê originates in Salesópolis in the Serra do Mar and runs for 1,100 kilometers until it flows into the Paraná River, on the border with Mato Grosso do Sul.

Currently, the river’s primary source of pollution is domestic sewage, discharged above all in the Greater São Paulo area.

The Tietê Project began in 1992.

According to Sabesp, US$3.4 billion have already been invested in the de-pollution of the river.

The program is in its fourth phase.

Most of the project was developed during the 28 years of PSDB’s administration in São Paulo.

NEW COMPANY MANAGEMENT

With new management, formed by executives nominated by the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, Sabesp will undergo some changes throughout this year.

Among the main changes promised are new trends, such as restructuring the directorships and focusing on a leaner company.

“We are waiting for the decision of the assembly so that we can fully implement each of these levers”, commented the CEO, André Salcedo.

According to the executive, Sabesp should consider, for example, a possible voluntary dismissal program and a hiring freeze.

In addition, the company should hit on the revision of contracts with suppliers of recurring items and will improve its bidding and contracting system, standardizing the processes.

The company foresees this year an investment of R$5.2 billion (US$1 billion).

“All investment will be focused on our priorities, such as the environmental ones, the guarantee of safety for our employees, and meeting contractual goals,” defended the CEO.

With information from Revista Oeste