The Minister of the Interior, Eduardo “Wado” de Pedro, vindicated the presidential award for the Portezuelo del Viento waterworks, which has environmental impact studies before construction, and questioned the decision of the radical governor of Mendoza, Rodolfo Suárez, not to receive the head of state, Alberto Fernández, on his visit to that province tomorrow.
“Alberto praised in the same sense as the former president (Mauricio) Macri in favor of an environmental impact study that is also in favor of Mendoza”, De Pedro said in a statement, noting the resolution of the President issued on December 29.
The minister considered that “water is a strategic resource for development and the future, and any work of this magnitude must be backed by an environmental impact study.”
Furthermore, he held that “It is not against anyone, but in favor of the environment and future generations”.
De Pedro stated that “the President’s trip is official and has as its objective inaugurate a work that will improve the quality of life of 340 thousand Mendoza: plant Paramillo purifying plantwhich also generated 250 jobs and required an iInvestment of more than 3 billion pesos from the national governmentl for the province of Mendoza”.
“Not receiving a President to inaugurate a project for the benefit of the inhabitants is an undemocratic and anti-republican attitude. It seems that what you do not want is to show this work because it goes against your story of permanent self-victimization,” said De Pedro.
“It seems that the one who is in the campaign is you,” he said in response to Suárez, who He based his absence on the inconvenience caused by the award and because he considered that Fernández “comes in campaign mode.”
The discomfort of Governor Suárez
“It seems to me that it was a ruling against Mendoza, against generating growth. I’m not in the mood to accompany”, Suárez responded in communication with Mendoza radios.
In his statements, he said that The Minister of Infrastructure, Mario Isgro, will goand that coordinated with the General Secretariat of the Presidency to ensure the safety of the entourage.
The Ministry of the Interior recalled that “in the framework of the award, the President instructed the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Water Policy of the Ministry of Public Works, to collaborate with COIRCO (Interjurisdictional Committee of the Colorado River) in the elaboration of the necessary technical-administrative procedures and the terms of reference for carrying out the Environmental Impact Study, which must be carried out within a period of 60 days”.
The Portezuelo del Viento project is a dam intended for provide energy to some 130 thousand inhabitantswhich is expected to be built in the Rio Grande, a tributary of the Colorado River.
The Colorado crosses the provinces of Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, La Pampa and Buenos Aires. COIRCO was created in 1976, whose objective is, for example, to seek an equitable distribution of water for the common benefit.
