Tocantins state government renews R$ 11 million air taxi contract after suspending larger deal

The Executive Secretariat of the Governorship of Tocantins has renewed a contract for air taxi services worth R$ 11.04 million, according to an extract published in the state's Official Gazette on Monday (1 December). The renewal comes almost three months after the acting governor, Laurez Moreira (PSD), suspended a separate, larger R$ 20 million aviation contract upon taking office.

The new term is an addendum to an existing contract and is valid from 2 December 2025 to 2 December 2026. In a statement, the secretariat said the extension followed technical criteria from the original tender process and that the service would be used exclusively for the official agendas of the Tocantins state government.

Contrast with previous suspension

In September, acting governor Laurez Moreira suspended a different air taxi contract valued at approximately R$ 20 million shortly after assuming the state's executive power. At the time, he stated there was a jet available from the contracted company but that such expenditure was not a priority.

"Today this has a cost of R$ 20 million per year and I am going to cut it, I am going to return it to the company. We do not admit this type of thing, using public office to make trips that bring no result to the state," Laurez said in September. He took office on 3 September following the removal of former governor Wanderlei Barbosa (Republicanos) by Brazil's Superior Court of Justice (STJ).

Rationale for the renewed contract

The Governorship clarified that this R$ 11 million contract is now the only aviation agreement in force for its use. The secretariat's statement emphasised that the maintenance of this contract is "rational" and aligned with a policy of optimising expenses, as it is activated only when strictly necessary to guarantee the efficiency of government actions.

The statement cited "administrative continuity, operational safety, and cost-effectiveness" as the technical criteria for the renewal. It also reiterated that the larger R$ 20 million contract remains suspended.

Context of cost-cutting measures

Laurez Moreira's nearly three-month tenure has been marked by announcements of spending cuts across various sectors. These include addressing a reported R$ 580 million debt in the state's health department and initiating proceedings to recover unduly paid amounts from the state pension institute, Igeprev.

The renewal of the air service contract, presented as a more economical and strictly managed option, fits within this broader context of fiscal scrutiny announced by the acting governor's administration.