BRASILIA: Brazil’s minister of cities Mario Negromonte has resigned amid allegations of irregularities - the eighth member of President Dilma Rousseff’s cabinet to step down since June.

Rousseff has accepted Negromonte’s resignation and wished him luck in his new projects, the office of the presidency said in a statement.

Aguinaldo Ribeiro, also of Negromonte’s Progressive Party, was named to replace him. The Progressive Party is part of the governing coalition.

The Cities Ministry coordinates urban development policies in a country where more than 80% of the population live in cities.

Negromonte is accused of awarding public work contracts to companies that had financed his party. He denies all accusations and said his resignation in no way indicated he was guilty, local media reported.

Since Rousseff assumed office on Jan 1 last year, the ministers of cities, defense, transportation, agriculture, tourism, sports and labour have stepped down.

The president’s chief-of-staff, also a Cabinet member, resigned amid questions over how his personal wealth soared while he was a legislator in 2006-10.

Former Defense Minister Nelson Jobim was forced to resign in Aug after saying he was surrounded by “idiots” and insulting other ministers.

However Rousseff has managed to remain above the scandals, enjoying a high popularity rating among Brazilians. Some have commended Brazil’s first female president for taking action against ministers facing corruption allegations, political observers said.

- Bernama