Mato Grosso infrastructure secretary denies BRT payment allegations

The Mato Grosso State Secretariat of Infrastructure and Logistics (Sinfra-MT) has denied allegations made by Senator Jayme Campos regarding the financing of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Cuiabá. The Senator had questioned approximately R$ 120 million in payments related to the construction of 41 stations and 36 shelters.

Sinfra-MT clarified that while the State Court of Accounts (TCE) authorized the possibility of exceptional advance payments for equipment acquisition, no such advance payments have been made. The secretariat stated that R$ 247.6 million has been paid to date, strictly corresponding to services effectively executed under existing contracts. This amount represents roughly 25% of the funds obtained from the sale of former VLT (light rail) equipment.

Marcelo de Oliveira, the Secretary of State for Infrastructure and Logistics, challenged the Senator to prove his accusations, stating he intends to seek judicial recourse. He emphasized that current payment methods differ from previous administrations and noted that all state expenditures undergo legal administrative procedures and are recorded in official systems for public and regulatory oversight.