Minister Aroldo Cedraz, of the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU), maintained the transfer of R$1 million to the Acadêmicos de Niterói samba school, in Rio, after the controversy involving the samba-enredo in honor of President Lula. For the minister, the school would not benefit from the transfer.
The TCU’s technical area had recommended barring the transfer to Acadêmicos de Niterói. The technicians responded to a request from the Partido Novo, which alleged possible misuse of purpose. The request was motivated by a R$12 million contract signed between Embratur (Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion) and Liesa (Leiga Independente das Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro). This agreement provides for the transfer of R$1 million to each samba school in the Rio Carnival Special Group.
The Acadêmicos de Niterói parade is scheduled for February 15th. Lula has already confirmed his presence, but will not parade. The first lady, Janja Lula da Silva, on the other hand, will be on the avenue.
