Brazilian minister defends river diversion project

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

SAO PAULO (AFP) — An ambitious plan by Brazil to irrigate its parched northeast region with a vast network of canals and reservoirs is more about giving water to residents than to agri-business, a minister argued Monday.

National Integration Minister Geddel Vieira Lima told reporters that detractors' claims that the four-billion-dollar project was designed primarily to benefit huge cattle ranches and commercial fruit and sugarcane farms were false.

"The priority is the human aspect, then comes the economic aspect," he said in Sao Paulo, explaining that inspiration for the plan came from other countries that have struggled with distributing scarce water resources, such as Austalia.

But, while he said "nobody, absolutely nobody will be without drinking water"...