On Thursday, May 8, 2025, during a plenary session of the Piauí Legislative Assembly, Deputy Francisco Limma (PT) raised serious concerns regarding the persistent failures in electricity supply affecting rural areas. He called for action from the Public Ministry to ensure compensation for families engaged in family farming who have been adversely impacted by these outages.
Limma's remarks came as the Assembly approved a requirement he authored, urging the Public Ministry of Piauí to initiate a procedure against Equatorial Energia, the company responsible for the electricity supply. The deputy emphasized that the ongoing instability in energy provision has directly jeopardized the production of family farming settlements, leading to significant losses that threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of families.
"The precarious supply and lack of responsibility in the services provided have resulted in irreparable losses for small producers," Limma stated emphatically. He also highlighted issues related to the performance of outsourced service providers contracted by the distributor, noting that tree pruning near the electrical network is often executed without the necessary technical care. This negligence has caused material damage to properties, with farmers suffering the consequences.
"Those who carry out the pruning leave the fences open, allowing animals to invade the crops, eat, trample, and it is the small producers who bear the losses," he lamented. The approved request demands that the Public Ministry hold Equatorial accountable for the damages caused and implement reparative measures, including compensation for the affected farmers. Limma stressed, "It is essential to ensure that these families are not left unprotected in the face of the negligence of a concessionaire that provides an essential service poorly."
In addition to his statements regarding energy supply issues, Limma announced two significant events aimed at promoting family farming and supporting rural women:
- III Feira da Agricultura Familiar e Projeto de Vida: Scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025, starting at 6 AM at Praça Fernando Cacho in Batalha (PI), this event is supported by local unions and Family Training Centers.
- Programa Cidadania e Bem Viver para Mulheres Rurais: Launched on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in the municipality of Domingos Mourão, this program will run until Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 8 AM to 5 PM. It is conducted in partnership with the Federal Institute of Piauí (IFPI) and the Secretariat of Family Agriculture (SAF-PI), aiming to promote social inclusion and development for rural women.
As the situation unfolds, the residents of Teresina are also bracing for scheduled power outages on Friday, May 9, 2025, as Equatorial Piauí conducts necessary maintenance and improvements on the electrical network. The company has stated that these shutdowns are essential, particularly during the rainy season when power supply issues are more prevalent.
From 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, various areas including Avenida Pedro Freitas, Avenida Valter Alencar, and several streets in the São Pedro neighborhood will experience outages. Later in the day, from 2:30 PM to 5:15 PM, additional locations in the Vale do Gavião area will also be affected.
Residents have expressed frustration over the recurring outages and the impact on their daily lives, particularly those in the agricultural sector who rely heavily on stable electricity for their operations. The combined challenges of unreliable power supply and the recent pruning issues have left many farmers anxious about the future of their crops and livelihoods.
As the Piauí Legislative Assembly continues to address these pressing concerns, the community is hopeful that the actions taken will lead to accountability and improvements in service delivery from Equatorial Energia. The events promoting family agriculture and women's empowerment also serve as a beacon of hope for many in the region, underscoring the importance of community support and resilience in the face of adversity.
The ongoing dialogues and initiatives reflect a broader commitment to addressing the needs of rural families and ensuring that they are not left to navigate these challenges alone. With the support of local leaders and organizations, there is potential for meaningful change that can enhance the livelihoods of those affected by these systemic issues.
