The Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI) Northern Section explained the reasons for the early termination of the Caribbean Highways concession contract, which will now be handed over to Invías. The guild denied rumors about dismantling the Tasajera toll on the Ciénaga-Barranquilla road and defended the highway concessions model.
The CCI Northern Section issued a statement to clarify confusions surrounding the early liquidation of the Caribbean Highways concession contract, a national road concessioned by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) under a private investment scheme. According to the guild, the project faced hurdles such as protests and social conflicts that prevented the operation of key tolls, like Turbaco, impacting its financial viability and leading to the contract's termination.
"These circumstances directly affected the project's financial viability and unfortunately led to the early liquidation of the concession contract," detailed the CCI. As a result, Invías will take over the administration of the road network, ensuring the operation of national logistics corridors.
The guild voiced concerns about the State's ability to manage infrastructure amid structural underfunding in the transport sector, while acknowledging the value of the concession model for the country's road development.
On the other hand, the CCI clarified that the Ciénaga-Barranquilla road, concessioned to Sierra Mar by the Magdalena Governorship, operates independently from ANI and Invías. It rejected false claims about eliminating the Tasajera toll, stressing that this scheme ensures construction, operation, and maintenance without external commitments. "From the CCI Northern Section, we firmly reject malicious attacks directed at the concession model, which weaken its functioning and investor confidence," the statement concluded, highlighting the importance of tolls in financing strategic projects for regional competitiveness.
