Miguel Uribe’s complaints about Gustavo Petro’s project

The situation is even more worrying given the current state of road infrastructure in Colombia, classified as one of the worst in the world according to the World Economic Forum, with more than 50% of the primary road network in poor or fair conditions. This has generated a serious economic and social impact, with a drop in the sector’s production of 41% since 2019, which represents a hard blow to the country’s economy.

Senator Uribe also denounced that the current administration has done nothing to unblock essential projects such as 4G roads, which not only improve connectivity and reduce transportation costs, but also generate employment and lift people out of poverty. However, these roads are being seen by President Petro as a waste of money, rather than an investment in the country’s future.

“This project of solidarity agreements has been a failure. Now, this is a project that we are talking about that has more than 1.5 billion pesos a year… a lot of money: 1.5 billion pesos, it could be ten schools, 15 hospitals, it is a lot of money that is not being invested well. ”.

On the other hand, the Senator called on the National Government to spend and execute the projects well so as not to harm millions of Colombians who, in his words, are being robbed with these decisions that do not turn out to be strategic in improving road infrastructure.

For the Senator, the lack of management and planning has led to the paralysis of numerous projects, such as the Oriente perimeter corridor, which remains stagnant despite its potential to generate employment and benefit thousands of Colombians.

The figures revealed by Senator Uribe show a lack of action and planning on the part of INVÍAS, with contracts suspended due to lack of resources and audit contracting processes not advanced, since by April 2024, 130 agreements were suspended due to the lack of planning and resources, and Despite the promises of INVÍAS to intervene on 10,350 km of roads in 2024, only 456 km of progress has been achieved, very far from the stated objective.

This shows a serious lack of commitment to the development of the country and a willful negligence in the management of resources allocated for infrastructure.

The second line of the Bogotá Metro in trouble

Although these complaints were not the only ones that Miguel Uribe addressed on May 21 in the midst of the debate, he also put on the table what is happening with the bidding process for the Second Line of the Bogotá Metro, it has been questioned by the presence of a clear conflict of interest.

The Senator mentioned KienyKe that the company China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) is a shareholder and beneficiary of two consortia prequalified for this tender.

It should be noted that this situation was warned by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)which requested to clarify said conflict to grant the No Objection necessary to continue with the process.

“The conflict of interest is clearly established in the bidding documents. Despite warnings and the modification of the tender deadlines on February 13, 2024 by Mayor Galán, the conflict has not yet been resolved. This lack of action puts the transparency of the process and equity among bidders at risk,” said Uribe Turbay.

The irregularities denounced by the senator will be brought before the Attorney General’s Office and the Comptroller General of the Republic, in an attempt to hold responsible those who have allowed the crisis in the infrastructure sector of the country and the capital to continue to deteriorate as Ultimately, this crisis not only affects the country’s economy, but also the well-being and quality of life of millions of Colombians who depend on functional road infrastructure for their mobility and development.