According to the open data portal of the Ministry of Finance, Petróleos Paraguayos SA (Petropar) increased its expenses for personal services by US$4 million. This includes salaries, representation expenses, Christmas bonus, residence expenses, extraordinary remuneration, additional remuneration, family subsidy, bonuses, gratuities, retirement contributions, wages, professional fees and more.
The striking thing is that from 2011 to 2017, the increase (7 years) was US$ 2 million. While from 2020 and 2021 (2 years), the increase was US$ 4 million. This occurs in coincidence with the arrival of the pandemic in our country and the assumption of Denis Lichi at the head of the public company.
BACKGROUND
Lichi assumed the presidency of Petropar in April 2020. This, after her predecessor, Patricia Samudio, was forced to resign due to overcharged public purchases.
He served two years in the institution on April 27. It should be remembered that the politician aspires to be governor of Cordillera in 2023.
According to journalistic publications, the oil company increased the hiring of personnel between 2021 and this year 2022. Many of them belong to the city of Arroyos y Esteros, where there is a branch where Lichi normally operates. In addition, the city corresponds to the department of which the head of Petropar wants to be governor.
Added to the hiring of officials is the arrival of commissioners from other institutions.
Denis Lichi is a native of the city of Arroyos y Esteros. He is a leader of the “Juan B. Domínguez” branch. On February 7 of this year, the politician launched his candidacy for the governorship of Cordillera for the “Republican Force” movement (officialism).
According to the same publications, in 2021 alone, there were just over 20 new contracts and 70 commissionings. These people enjoy salaries between G. 10 to 20 million.
QUESTIONS
The Oil Company was recently the target of criticism after Congress sanctioned a bill that eliminates intermediaries at the time of fuel purchases. With this, the public company has a free hand to make agile purchases due to the null controls.
The criticism focused precisely on the lack of transparency that characterizes the company.
