Only a handful of councilors took a seat to participate in the extraordinary session called by the president of the Arequipa Regional Council (CRA), Ysrael Zúñiga. Members they presumed that addendum 13 to reactivate Majes Siguas II would be debated. If approved, the agro-industrial project would be reactivated in the medium term after four years of suspension. But it was finally confirmed that they were only going to touch “the suspension of the term of addendum 13”, subject that is not competence of the CRA, with what time was lost. When the lack of a quorum was found the appointment was suspended.
The CRA only had until today to inform the Regional Government of Arequipa (GRA), a final decision on addendum 13. This consists of modernizing the irrigation system of the project and whose investment amounts to $ 104 million. This Cobra lawsuit already has the approval of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and ProInversión. The only thing missing was the approval of the regional council, which yesterday shunned this responsibility.
Cobra, concessionaire of Majes II, gave deadline until December 30 to receive a response to the extensions granted. Thus, the company has at the mercy of the Regional Government of Arequipa (GRA), to lift the suspension of the contract and then start a millionaire international arbitration. Cobra, in 2020, already activated the expiration of the contract due to non-compliance but deactivated it before the promise to approve the “technological change”.
In yesterday’s appointment they only participated Ysrael Zúñiga, Harberth Zúñiga, Elmer Pinto, Chriss Díaz (virtually) and Miguel Guzmán. They did not attend José Luis Hancco, Silvio Arias, Gloria Salas and Eddy Medina. Hancco traveled to Islay and participated in the Regional Educational Balance on behalf of Governor Kimmerlee Gutiérrez. Meanwhile, Arias had a scheduled inspection of peasant communities in Castilla. Regarding the others, its justification is not yet known.
The “case” Ysrael Zúñiga
A series of mistakes put the GRA in Cobra’s hands. One big one is that of Ysrael Zúñiga. Days ago, he said that he called a session to discuss the addendum, but he declined.
Did you call for the approval of the addendum?
No, it was convened to clarify doubts, for the governor to clarify doubts and the Council to collaborate, he replied.
Are you acknowledging that today’s session was not because of the addendum?
It was to touch the points that she (governor) wanted, she answered in a surprising way.
The former soccer player indicated that Gutiérrez was even invited. However, the regional authority clarified that she cannot decide on the CRA agenda. “The only thing for the Council is to debate whether the addendum is going or not going (…) The president (Zúñiga) is confusing the issuesHe is not well advised, ”said Gutiérrez. She stressed that she learned that there is no ruling and that Zúñiga should have requested it before the Special Commission chaired by Hancco. “What could be discussed at that meeting if there is no opinion? I thought that today (yesterday) should be discussed ”, he asked.
For the former manager of Autodema, Isaac Martínez, counselors are shirking their responsibility because addendum 13 is on the court of the Council. He maintained that they are afraid and that “this is negligence due to omission of functions on the part of the directors. There is fault of the two regional administrations. Four years ago they had to answer if they accepted and not continue to postpone. The extensions have a limit, “he said.
The governor announced that on the one hand she will meet with the councilors to urge them to make a decision. In another, he will meet with the manager of Autodema, Arturo Arroyo, to insist on a further expansion of the company. “We will go to the end, we will exhaust to the last resort. The directors have to meet because many problems are created at the Executive level, ”he said. Arroyo added that they, like Autodema, cannot do anything if the CRA does not make a decision. He argued that the contract expiration process is a long issue, in which they can impose arbitration.
Chronology of the death lunge to Majes Siguas II
2020
The Spanish concessionaire Cobra, on two occasions, started the process to expire the contract with Majes II. The GRA asked him to change his mind
October 2020
Congress approves sovereign guarantee for Majes II, a kind of guarantee to finance Addendum 13 whose investment demanded 104 million dollars.
July 19, 2021
Ministry of Economy and Finance and ProInversión approve addendum 13 to change the irrigation system. Comptroller made some objections.
December 29, 2021
After almost two years of paperwork, four directors frustrate a quorum to avoid discussing addendum 13. What is coming is an arbitration.
.
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
