State delivers the União Canal, an investment that benefits 300 thousand people in Belém
The macrodrenage work is part of the largest urban requalification program in the capital and is one of the legacies of COP30
The Government of Pará delivered, on the morning of this Saturday (8), the macrodrenage work of the União Canal, in the Marco neighborhood, in Belém. Executed by the State Department of Public Works (Seop), the intervention represents a significant advance in the urban infrastructure of the capital, ensuring improvements in mobility, safety, and quality of life for more than 300 thousand people living along the Tucunduba Basin.
“Another moment of delivering works from the largest macrodrenage program in our capital. This time, delivering the União Canal, connecting Timbó and Mauriti streets. This allows this region of the Marco neighborhood to put an end to the flooding, which is now in the past. From now on, people will have their lives changed for the better, with a new time of correcting the watercourse and adapting to urban growth. It is the ninth canal delivered within an investment of 11 kilometers, directly benefiting the 300 thousand people living in the Tucunduba Basin,” highlighted Governor Helder Barbalho.
Legacy of COP30
The União Canal is part of the VULT complex, formed by the Vileta, União, Leal Martins, and Timbó canals, all delivered by the state and considered structural legacies of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30) held in Belém.
“President Lula took a courageous step to face the pressure from those used to events in the same cities and decided that COP would be held in the heart of the Amazon, in Belém. Lula was the only president in history who lived in a house that flooded when it rained. He knows what losses and difficulties are, and he said that Belém would have to have a post-COP legacy. Governor Helder Barbalho had the same concern for those who need it most. It is the largest investment program in macrodrenage in the history of BNDES and Belém,” said the president of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Aloizio Mercadante.
Urban and social transformation
Vice Governor Hana Ghassan, who spoke with residents during the delivery, highlighted the direct impact of the work on families' lives. “I want to thank God for delivering another work that will make a difference in people's lives. The people asked, and the canal is ready; it is a new life for the Marco neighborhood. I was able to talk to the residents and see the pride of living this moment. Those who spoke ill must recognize. COP is not just about climate, but about transforming people's daily lives with works like this. Those who said the work is for tourists should come and see the União Canal, which is for the population,” she reinforced.
The mayor of Belém, Igor Normando, highlighted the unity of efforts between federal, state, and municipal governments for the delivery of works in the capital of Pará. “What pride! Today, without a doubt, those who live in Belém can once again be proud of our land. We can beat our chests and say that our city is different, that now we can dream again. When we walk through the streets and see the hopeful look of the population, we see that we are on the right track. This is a long-awaited work for residents who had their houses flooded during the rains and can now breathe easy, as it is a reality. When the state, federal government, and city hall come together, our city wins,” he said.
Modern structure and guaranteed mobility
With a length of 350 meters, the União Canal received new water supply, sewage, and drainage networks, in addition to three walkways, a bridge, road urbanization, sidewalks with tactile paving, backyard filling, and about two kilometers of asphalt paving.
The investment from the Government of Pará was R$ 56.7 million, in partnership with BNDES, generating about 300 direct jobs.
Voices of the community
A resident of the area for 32 years, Maria Lindalva da Cruz recalls the difficulties faced before the work and celebrates the advances from the works. “When I came to live here, it was just water underneath and all the houses on top of the bridge. We were filling it in little by little, with a lot of difficulty. The children fell into the mud; there have even been tragedies with neighbors. It was a very difficult time. Today everything is different. The canal is beautiful, clean, paved. It even looks like a main avenue. We feel valued, happy. The houses have gained value, and life has improved a lot.”
Sandra Monteiro, a resident of the União Canal area since she was 13 years old, also celebrates the transformation. “I never imagined seeing this transformation. Before it was just mud, flooding, and a bridge made of açaí seeds. My house has been flooded several times; it was a lot of suffering. Today I can say that I live on an avenue! Everything is very beautiful; the canal has become a wonder. The last flood was at the end of 2019. After they drained it, never again. Now it’s a different reality; it’s the Doca of the Marco neighborhood!” she celebrated.
Largest macrodrenage program in the history of Belém
The Government of Pará has been executing the largest macrodrenage program in the history of the capital, with works aimed at preventing flooding and improving the quality of life for more than 500 thousand people. The actions reach the Tucunduba, Murutucu, Tamandaré, and Una basins.
Since 2019, the State has already invested in the requalification of 18 canals in Belém, with 13 of them considered legacies of COP30. Among the works delivered are the canals of Igarapé Tucunduba, Mundurucus, Timbó, Cipriano Santos, Vileta, Leal Martins, and Gentil Bittencourt.
“The macrodrenage works represent another important moment for the population of Belém. It is a job that addresses the issue of flooding and improves the quality of life, ensuring more dignity for people, with the arrival of asphalt, which brings mobility and facilitates access to public services for residents,” said the State Secretary of Public Works, Ruy Cabral.
