This Monday morning (Dec 5), the governor of Minas Gerais, Romeu Zema (NOVO), opened the doors of his home to the IBGE. Re-elected this year, Mr. Zema made room in his schedule to answer the Census and took the opportunity to have a quick meeting with the national president of the IBGE, Eduardo Rios Neto, and the state superintendent, Maria Antônia Esteves. They were joined by consultant Gladston Policarpo and supervisory census agent Bernardo Fontes.

Photo: Daniel Tulher

The IBGE representatives presented a brief overview of the Census to the Mr. Zema and took the opportunity to ask for cooperation to complete the data collection in Minas Gerais. They explained the main challenges that the IBGE has faced in the final stretch of the survey and heard from Zema a promise of mobilization and collaboration with the Institute, mainly to negotiate 4WD cars with the municipalities  to help the IBGE cover the Census in the rainy season.

Photo: Daniel Tulher

At the end of the meeting, the governor was enumerated by census agent Bernardo Fontes, who administered the sample questionnaire, the most complete one. After answering it, Mr. Zema recorded an appeal to mayors and municipalities. The initiative was also joined by his press office.

Photo: Daniel Tulher

Maria Antônia Esteves spoke of the importance of Mr. Zema's support, especially in the Triângulo Mineiro region, where his hometown, Araxá, is found.

“We need to cover the territory of Minas Gerais, especially the municipalities of Triângulo and Alto Paranaíba, which are behind schedule, so the support of the governor in this regard is essential”, she stressed.

IBGE president Eduardo Rios Neto commented on the contribution of public bodies:

“The need to increase this partnership is great, for example in the rural sectors and even in the cities, rainfalls and lack of appropriate vehicles make it practically impossible to cover the sector, that is why we count on the federal, state and municipal authorities to support us in this final race .”

Photo: Daniel Tulher