Arequipa: they ask to reactivate the Majes II project to generate work

The surroundings of the headquarters of the Regional Government of Arequipa (GRA) were besieged by settlers and workers. Governor Kimmerlee Gutiérrez and the president of the Regional Council of Arequipa (CRA), José Luis Hancco, came out to listen to them. The crowd calls for economic reactivation through works. “Works such as Majes Siguas II, the Arequipa – La Joya highway, the construction of the Goyeneche hospital,” said Carlos Paz, president of the Front for Comprehensive Development of the Upper Paucarpata and Surrounding Areas (FREDIPAP).

“We can no longer allow this Angostura project (dam for Majes II) to continue to be politicized. Behind these 4 councilors there are politicians who are using them,” said Lugue Espinoza, secretary of the Civil Construction Union. He stressed that the opponents are “against the development of Arequipa” and urged Gutiérrez to sign addendum 13, the modification of the hydraulic infrastructure for the project.

While in Caylloma, Juan Galdós, ratified the indefinite strike against the addendum and requests for compensation since Friday, March 11. They will meet from 10:00 am in the Chivay district and then carry out mobilizations. Galdós, who is president of the Front for the Defense of Interests and Development of the Province of Caylloma, explained that at the level of all its user groups they do not agree with addendum 13. However, the priority is their requests. “With or without an addendum, we want 30% of the land, the water canon and the repair of the mother canal of Majes I”, he explained.

In the midst of all this, the members of the CRA will decide today whether or not to admit, debate again the regional agreement that approves the signing of addendum 13 for Majes II. During the ordinary session the legal report will be presented. This document rejects the request for reconsideration by Councilor Pinto, since it does not have the five signatures to be admitted. But he recommends that it be the plenary itself who pronounces.

could be prosecuted

For counselor Harberth Zúñiga, the issue is clear. He explained that the legal advisor’s report, which rejects the reconsideration, adheres to the regulations and that a vote should be taken in that regard. “Laws are there to be enforced,” he said. Otherwise, he warned that a full annulment could be filed and that any “citizen or councilor could present”.

If the votes that approved addendum 13 are upheld, the request would be rejected. Everything indicates that the president of the CRA, José Luis Hancco, will not change his position. “Majes Siguas II must be a reality for 130,000 workers in the region and the country (…) Enough of political leanings,” he referred to the residents of FREDIPAP.

Pinto and the counselors Edy Medina, Chriss Díaz, and Ysrael Zúñiga, would need two more advisers to turn the cake. If it does not happen, they could also prosecute the case. “They would waste the time of the Region,” said Harberth Zúñiga.