Brasília, January 3, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - In his speech taking office in the newly created Ministerium of the Cities, Olívio Dutra said that one of his biggest challenges will be to find solutions for the housing deficit. "Right now we need six million new homes to take care of the country's problems," he informed. One of the Ministry's chief actions will be to implement the people's budget in the municipalities, giving the people the right to say what they think and even to have a vote in how money is spent.

Olívio Dutra also asserted that he will work with the Federal Savings Bank to make it easier for people to get housing loans. "As it is, the Federal Savings Bank makes more requirements than private banks to provide mortgages," he said.

Besides the housing area, the Ministry of Cities will be in charge of urban transportation. The Ministry will be able to use 25% of the fuel tax (Government Rights to Concessions of Economic Domination - CIDE). This tax, charged for fuel, will provide the new Ministry R$ 1.8 billion/ US$ 510 million. (DAS)