ibarra
The cargo transport unions of Ecuador and Colombia reached agreements, after a meeting held at ECU 911 in Ibarra, this Monday, January 16.
The meeting was led by the vice ministers of Transportation, José Luis Aguilar, from Ecuador, and Eduardo Enríquez, from Colombia, and the governors of Carchi, Imbabura and Sucumbíos.
The discussion table analyzed and defined binational coordination for the entry of Colombian tractor-trucks into the country with and without cargo, but abiding by the current agreements of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN).
While the bilateral meeting was taking place, Ecuadorian motorists staged protests at the border to request that requests for national transportation be accepted.
The main demand of Ecuadorian heavy transport is the strengthening of the companies in the north of the country, which are committed to providing an efficient service, based on the coupling and uncoupling of heads.
At the end of the meeting, the governmental and territorial authorities highlighted the willingness of both governments to promote cooperation and integration between the two countries, facilitating the free transit of goods under the supranational regulations of the CAN.
Among the resolutions reached is the authorization of a humanitarian corridor for Colombian unloaded vehicles, which will make it possible to return the transport units to their cities of origin through the roads of Ecuador.
Migrants returning to Venezuela must use the Quito-Lago Agrio route due to the closure of the highway that connects Ecuador with the interior of Colombia
In this agreement, Colombian tractor-trailers with cargo must submit to modality agreements: hitch – unhook. In addition, the international cargo transportation systems known as: unhooking, transshipment and internment are maintained.
This agreement seeks to rehabilitate exports and imports between the two territories, suspended since last Monday, after a landslide blocked the Pan-American highway, near Rosas. That keeps the southern part of the neighboring country isolated.
The Ministry of Transportation of Colombia undertook to negotiate with the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs the return of Ecuadorian cargo vehicles detained months ago in Ipiales.
Gasoline shortage generates disgust in Ipiales
On the other hand, in Ipiales a severe fuel shortage began to be felt. Drivers who had been there since 04:00 this Monday, January 16, enlisted outside the pumps, after the suspension of distribution, angrily decided to close the roads. In this way, they sought to demand the delivery of gasoline from the municipality.
Those affected commented that the derivatives were marketed for half an hour, then the sale was paralyzed, not allowing them to stock up, despite the fact that they had been waiting since dawn for more than six hours, enduring the cold.
Resentful and annoyed, they decided to cross the cars on the roads, in a kind of protest, in an attempt to attract the attention of the authorities and paralyze the activities in this border city, in front of Tulcán.
The Municipality of Ipiales clarified hours later that there is a quota of 765,638 gallons, distributed in 12 stations in rural and urban areas, which correspond to the monthly allowance that this city receives.
Municipal spokespersons confirmed that they await the supply of fuel that comes along the route: Neiva – San Miguel International Bridge – Quito – Tulcán – Ipiales, to mitigate the scarcity in the region.
In Tulcán, a pump is allocated to sell super gasoline to Colombian vehicles in the event of an emergency due to a landslide
It is estimated that between 800,000 and 1 million gallons transported in 59 trucks are on the way and would arrive in Pasto and Ipiales on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, crossing the San Miguel and Rumichaca international bridges, in Ecuador.
Instead, the supplies of domestic gas (LPG) that entered that afternoon through San Miguel crossed the border port of Rumichaca after 8:30 p.m. today. These are 17 tankers from the Montagas company.
Meanwhile, in Tulcán and Ipiales the long lines of vehicles continue fighting to access the coveted fuel.
The moment has been used to encourage smuggling that has skyrocketed in recent days.
The militarization of the stations in the Carchense capital has not been a solution, the complaints about the exaggerated sale of gasoline to alleged smugglers, including in drums, exceeding the established quota, generates constant complaints.
Eduardo Enríquez, Vice Minister of Transportation of Colombia, reported that according to a report from the National Highway Institute (Invías), an alternate artery would be ready in Colombian territory in 30 days to avoid continuing to use Ecuadorian highways. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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