Lisbon, 29 July 2019 (Lusa) – The technician Francisco Ferreira, assistant to the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, resigned today, after being reported to be involved in the selection of companies for the production of emergency kits for the Safe Villages program.

In a note sent to Lusa, the office of the Minister of Internal Affairs reports that “Specialist Francisco José da Costa Ferreira has requested the resignation of his office in the Office of the Secretary of State for Civil Protection”.

The request was accepted by the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, José Artur Neves, adds the same official note.

The Jornal de Notícias writes today that Francisco Ferreira, also president of the PS / Arouca council, recommended companies to purchase 70,000 flammable smoke collars, 15,000 emergency kits with combustible materials and leaflets delivered to 1909 villages. covered by the program.

On Saturday, Home Affairs Minister Eduardo Cabrita ordered an urgent inquiry into the hiring of fire awareness material following news reports on smoke-resistant collars with flammable material distributed under the “Safe Villages” program.

In a statement, the ministry stated that “in light of the news published on contractual aspects regarding awareness-raising material, the Minister of Internal Affairs asked the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority for clarification and called for an urgent inquiry into the General Inspectorate of Administration. Internal ”.

The Jornal de Notícias reported on Friday that 70,000 smoke-free collars made of flammable and uncarbonised treatment, which cost 125,000 euros, were handed over by civil protection under the “Safe Village” and “Safe People” programs.