The luck of Majes Siguas II it is in the hands of the Arequipa authorities. On a visit to this region, the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, promised to unblock this project that seeks to convert 38,500 hectares of arid pampas into fertile land for export products. However, its reactivation does not depend on the central government. Who it depends on is the Regional Government of Arequipa (GRA).
“We are on the verge of unlocking it with the signing of Addendum 13,” said Arturo Arroyo, manager of the Autonomous Authority of Majes (Autodema). The members of the Arequipa Regional Council must decide if they approve or not to resume the work. It is the last step after the proposal passes the filters of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Proinversión and the Comptroller’s Office.
Said addendum will modify the contract between the Angostura-Siguas Consortium and the GRA. It implies an increase of US $ 104 million to finance the change of the canal water conduction and distribution system for that of pipes. Thus, Majes II will go from cost US $ 550 million to US $ 654 million. The approach was carried out by the concessionaire in 2017, claiming a decrease in water due to three factors, one of them due to climate change. The discussion lasted 4 years in which the works have been paralyzed.
“The project is self-sustaining. All the money invested has to be returned, including the 104 million dollars through the auction of the 38,500 hectares, ”Arroyo pointed out. He argued that a whole development platform will be created, with various benefits, such as 90,000 direct and 150,000 indirect jobs, and the generation of new agro-industrial companies.
The CRA would have until December 8 to pronounce itself. Arroyo does not rule out a new expansion by the concessionaire given the extraordinary events that have affected the regional government. The last, the death of the acting governor Walter Gutiérrez.
Proposal would not be in accordance with the project
Arturo Arroyo, manager of Autodema, indicated that President Castillo’s proposal to commit US $ 650 million would not be in line with the Majes Siguas II project. He explained that the financing is guaranteed with loans from CAF, the regional government and with investment from the concessionaire.
What would be necessary is the budget to fine-tune the Majes I infrastructure that the second stage will use.
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