The first results of the transformation of the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), from managing only transportation infrastructure, have come to light. Projects in health, education and basic sanitationincorporating the qualities of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, are being structured within the entity, which would allow the State and the private sector to converge in the constructive development of the country.
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Through the delegation of the exceptional delegation of the National Development Plan (PND) 2022-2026, lto ANI assumed the function of structuring, awarding and constructing multisector projects prioritized by the national Government, with the aim of transferring the entity’s experience for the development of key infrastructures in the aforementioned sectors.
“New actors enter the discussion to understand what the Public-Private Alliance (PPP) model means; it is work that we have done with the different portfolios. “We have made a lot of progress with the Ministry of Health understanding the benefits of the model, as well as with other international actors such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and at the local level the National Development Finance Company (FND) to structure these projects,” assured Francisco Ospina Ramírez, president of the ANI.
With the signature of the PND, in its article 105, the ANI acquired the power to expand the provision of public infrastructure. After carrying out a review with the different sectors of the Government, they identified 13 projects with important advances in their structuring processes, identifying at least five highly complex hospitals, four educational infrastructures and four initiatives in water and basic sanitation, benefiting more than 4 million people in the country.
“We have a commitment with the Minister every Monday to prioritize certain infrastructure projects. There is a bet from the Ministry of Education that certain schools in Soacha, Ibagué and Barranquilla can be awarded through Apps and that, under contributions from the Nation, a private company can make these improvements in the public infrastructure of schools. “The Agency, with the multiple complexities that it means to mature infrastructure projects, is delivering for the country,” adds the official.
In education, the schools in Soacha (10), Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla and Cali are actually prioritized. In addition, there is a portfolio of Universities included in the PND, eight schools in Ibagué and university accommodation in Manizales and Medellín.
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Hospital
Magdalena Governorate
In health, it is prioritized the Simón Bolívar hospital, the National Cancer Institute hospital, the “Rafael Calvo” Maternal Hospital of Cartagena, the Maternal and Child Hospital of Cúcuta, the Regional Hospital of Barrancabermeja and the Orinoco Regional Hospital.
“Everything is going very well, it is part of the process of the National Infrastructure Agency, and we can deliver ready projects, 100% structured, in which we would only need the financing to make them a reality. For example, we have a waste plants project for Cúcuta that has a structure and agreement with the IFC and with $1 billion we could make water drinkable and serve 1 million people in the metropolitan area of Cúcuta,” added Ospina Ramírez.
Regarding the latter, it is worth noting that the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) of Duitama, Cúcuta (completed) and Neiva are prioritized. In addition, the Santa Marta aqueduct and the Network Remote Management and Automation System (STAR) of Neiva and Duitama.
It is worth remembering that on October 11, the Vice Minister of Water and Basic Sanitation, Edward Libreros, representing the Ministry of Housing; the project manager of Ecopetrol, Yesid Rodríguez; Secretary of Drinking Water of Norte de Santander, Aldahir Álvarez; the mayor of Cúcuta, Jorge Acevedo; The mayor of Villa del Rosario, Juan Camilo Suárez and the mayor of Los Patios, Alexi Valencia, made official the delivery and entry into operation of the metropolitan aqueduct system of Cúcuta, Villa del Rosario and Los Patios and part of the main distribution networks of the municipalities of Villa del Rosario and Los Patios.
This project had a public-private investment of $452,088 million in totaldistributed in: Nation $119,781, Ecopetrol $299,529, region 32,778 million. Through the delivery of this Metropolitan aqueduct, the continuity of the drinking water service for the municipalities of Cúcuta will be progressively increased, going from 23 to 24 hours a day; in the municipalities of Los Patios from 18 to 24 hours a day and Villa del Rosario from 4 to 24 hours a day, benefiting a total of 805,162 inhabitants of these 3 municipalities.
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The water and sewage service in Colombia is provided by more than 3,000 companies.
Private file
“The Metropolitan Aqueduct is a fundamental work to guarantee access to drinking water in our region. With this project, we are ensuring a reliable and quality supply for all Cucuteños. This investment not only improves the quality of life of our families, but also boosts the economic development of Cúcuta and its metropolitan area. “We continue working for a more sustainable city with better opportunities for everyone,” said the mayor.
They additionally hope to feed these formulations into the Agency’s project bank, with a view to achieving a broader development of the pending social infrastructure in the country. “This is the beginning of a long and profitable path that Colombia is embarking on. “We invite territorial and national government entities interested in this type of infrastructure to present their initiatives to the ANI,” points out the entity.
“Thanks to ANI’s experience in the implementation of PPPs and an investment in at least three social macroprojects for the four-year period, it is expected that the construction of this infrastructure will be carried out in competitive times, with high quality standards and capable of responding to the needs of the communities where they are developed”, they add.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist
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