 |
|
|
|
|
|
Click here to search other news
|
|
May 8, 2008
IBOPE poll demonstrates that Juruti dwellers want Alcoa’s bauxite mine
|
|
|
Opinion poll indicates that no less than 89% of the Juruti population have a favorable or neutral position vis-à-vis the project.
An opinion poll conducted by IBOPE [Brazil’s leading public opinion research institute] in Juruti, West Pará State, demonstrates that almost the totality of the county’s population have a positive view towards Alcoa’s implementation of a new bauxite mine in the region. The absolute majority (54%) is manifestly favorable to the project and another 35% accept it with no restrictions.
Additionally, 61% state that Alcoa’s Mine in Juruti improved theirs and their families’ lives; 64% view the project as important for themselves and their families; 76% consider it important for Juruti’s development; and 79% see the mine as important for the development of Pará State.
Opinions are based on various benefits mentioned by interviewees, from job generation and improvements in the urban and rural infrastructure, to the investments made by Alcoa in professional qualification and strengthening of the public health system.
In the quantitative survey IBOPE interviewed approximately 600 persons in the areas of direct and indirect project influence, covering a sample of 37 local communities, plus the urban area. Applied between January, 19 and February 1st., the survey considers a margin of error of 4 percent points and a confidence interval of 95%.
All respondents addressed questions related to health, infrastructure, education, environment, economy and labor, justice, safety and culture.
Most frequently mentioned positive aspects resulting from Alcoa’s presence in the region were job creation and increased work opportunities for the local population (55%); improved streets and roads, especially with pavement (24%); strengthening of education, with the creation of professional training courses and improvement in public schools (17%), among other benefits connected to actions included in the Environment Control Plans and the Positive Agenda (voluntary complementary actions by Alcoa favoring the community), besides projects supported by Instituto Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation.
Trust and transparency
Certain statements were recurring among interviewees in the questions on trust and transparency: more than 80% of Juruti inhabitants view Alcoa as an honest company, that pays its taxes, is competent and serious, and offers quality services. Another 70% believe that the Company is trustworthy and 77% think that Alcoa is law-abiding. As regards the environment, approximately 68% of interviewees stated that Alcoa is concerned with this issue and more than half agree that the Company seeks to return to the environment everything it extracts.
On the issue of social commitment, almost the total population (94%) agreed that Alcoa creates many jobs, along with other benefits that were mentioned, such as the development of local manpower and the support to the fields of culture, education and health. Alcoa is also recognized as a Company in constant growth, profitable and a global leader.
Opinion leaders
The poll also included qualitative interviews with journalists, politicians and community and business leaders in Juruti, Santarém and Belém.
This part of the survey showed evidence that certain opinions are unanimous, such as the irreversibility of the project, the fact that Juruti started a process of intense change in the last few years, and that there is a clear “before” and “after” Alcoa in the region. Also that such changes profoundly mark the population’s economy and way of life. Increased economic activity, the arrival of important companies, the start of hitherto unimaginable infrastructure works, and the possibility of new opportunities of income generation were indicated as strong points among the benefits brought by Alcoa’s presence in Juruti.
Among the expectations presented by the opinion leaders interviewed by IBOPE, excessively rapid growth and the problems that may be brought about by the implementation of large projects were mentioned as concerns. However, they underlined the importance of work groups joining the Company, government members and the civil society. Such groups are included in the recently created provisional Sustainable Juruti Council, which assures higher frequency, systematization and transparency of discussions about actions oriented to the county’s sustainable development.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has 97,000 employees in 34 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
