COMPERJ: O Complexo Petroquímico e seu papel na transformação do território de Itaboraí

Abstract

The impact of the crisis of the capitalist system on Brazilian industry was particularly felt in the sector of energy transformation companies, as exemplified by the dissolution of the Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex (Comperj), the focus of this study, in the midst of an acute political crisis in the country. Comperj played an essential role in the national industry, representing one of Petrobras' largest petrochemical projects and a significant source of investment and economic development for the region. However, the interruption of construction due to corruption scandals related to Operation Car Wash had devastating consequences. During the construction period, the city of Itaboraí witnessed a notable influx of migrants, resulting in real estate speculation and significant changes in land values, while the low-income population seeking employment opportunities in the region was marginalized to precarious areas. The mass layoff of workers further aggravated the housing crisis, highlighting the lack of basic infrastructure, such as water and sewage systems, and intensifying precarious living conditions. In addition, fundamental projects for the well-being of the population, such as health care, were also interrupted, exacerbating the vulnerability of the inhabitants.