In an interview with Agência Lusa, Ricardo D'Abreu defended that the progressive end of the fuel subsidy is a fair measure, since not everyone needs this benefit and the executive wanted to provide "shock absorbers" to the most vulnerable classes, with measures still being negotiated additional.
In addition, the decision also aims at the sustainability of the accounts and allow other policies to be adopted to improve the living conditions of the population, he stressed.
The increase in fuel prices, namely gasoline, which practically doubled in value, has raised protests, especially from taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers, professionals who continue to benefit from subsidies upon presentation of a card.
However, this solution has not yet reached the hands of the majority.
Many citizens are already complaining about the increase in prices, especially in collective "taxis" better known as candongueiros and in mototaxis, used by most Angolans, but Ricardo D'Abreu said that the price has remained the same.
"Obviously there is, here or there, some attempt at speculation (...) but the effect that is intended on these social strata, through the delivery of cards and other mechanisms that will be adopted, is precisely that there is no impact on public transport tariffs ", stressed the government official, indicating that inspection is carried out in coordination with provincial governments and municipal administrations.
By June 15, around 25,000 fuel cards had been handed out nationwide and, according to the minister, another 25,000 should be distributed outside Luanda shortly.
"We intend to quickly reach 100,000", he underlined, without mentioning deadlines, estimating that the universe of beneficiaries is around 190,000 professionals, including taxis, motorcycle taxi drivers and fishing boats, also covered by the exemption.
As for the possibility of fraudulent use, Ricardo D'Abreu said that the cards are duly identified and will only be made available to licensed operators, but admitted that this is not enough to prevent fraud attempts.
"What we are going to look for is to monitor and supervise and (the offenders) will be penalized with withdrawal of the license" and other sanctions, he highlighted.
"We will not change public transport tariffs", reinforced Ricardo Abreu, adding that tests are being carried out on the integrated ticketing system to implement the social pass.
Priority is given to young people and students, who will benefit from a "zero tariff".
Asked about the start of works on the Luanda Metro, which had already been announced and postponed on several occasions, Ricardo D'Abreu stressed that the decision had been taken to proceed with public investment that would allow for the signing of an agreement with the entity that will build the work.
For the person in charge of Transport, a city with the population density of Luanda (currently more than 10 million inhabitants) "lacks high-capacity systems".
For Ricardo D'Abreu, one line will not be enough to solve mobility problems, but the process is just beginning, as the network foresees a total of 149 kilometres.
