2024-08-29 01:11:32
The early termination of the concession contract would cost the country 350 billion pesos.
The future of the Canal del Dique megaproject, one of the most ambitious initiatives in environmental matters and restoration of degraded ecosystems in Colombia, is in doubt following the alert issued by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic. According to the control body, if immediate corrective measures are not taken, the concession contract could be terminated early, which would represent a cost of $350 billion for the country without the planned works being carried out.
This megaproject, valued at $4.43 billion, was awarded a year ago to the Spanish multinational Sacyr by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), marking the entity’s first major concession in the environmental field. However, despite the signing of the contract, the works have not been able to begin due to various procedures that have arisen after the award. Among the main obstacles is the lack of the terms of reference necessary to advance an environmental impact study, a key requirement to move forward with the planned interventions.
Project challenges
Comptroller Carlos Hernán Rodríguez expressed his concern about the challenges facing the project. “It is a cause for great concern that, after the signing of the contract, seven additional prior consultations have arisen, and that the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA), despite its initial opinion to the contrary, now requires an environmental license for the entire project,” Rodríguez said. These additional requirements not only complicate the execution of the contract, but also create uncertainty regarding the established timelines.
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Added to these challenges is the intervention of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), which has made mandatory the implementation of a protocol for surveying and recovering victims along the Canal del Dique. This measure, although essential for the recognition and reparation of victims of the armed conflict, adds an additional layer of complexity to the project.
The risks were already contemplated
The Comptroller General’s Office also criticized the ANI’s decision to proceed with the award of the contract, arguing that the aforementioned risks were already contemplated. However, the control body warned of the possible consequences of an early termination of the contract, which would imply a significant payment to the concessionaire without any of the contemplated works having been carried out.
The construction phase of the Canal del Dique is scheduled to begin on December 2, 2024, but this date is at risk due to new requirements and the lack of progress in the necessary procedures. The situation calls into question the viability of the megaproject and underlines the need for immediate action to prevent a work of strategic importance for the Nation from being left in limbo.
The Comptroller’s Office reiterated the importance of this mega-project for the country and the need to move forward with its execution to avoid multi-million dollar losses and meet the environmental and social objectives set. The outlook, however, remains uncertain, and time is running out to correct the project’s course.
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