Metropolitan Lima Mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga on Monday announced that he will renegotiate toll contracts with the current concessionaires operating the roads that are dotted with checkpoints in the capital city.
"We will sit down to negotiate with the current concessionaires that, unfortunately, have obtained international arbitration awards against the population of Lima, even more now knowing that the concessionaires are stained with corruption," Lopez Aliaga said at a press conference at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima (MML).
The brand new mayor affirmed that he has received legal opinions regarding this issue, so his team already has various alternate options that will be worked on in favor of the people of Lima.
"Another option that I have already implemented, together with Renzo Reggiardo, is to remit the case to the criminal court, where the issue of corruption is making progress, especially in relation with Mrs. [Susana] Villaran, in which we plan to request certain measures," he pointed out.
Lima's top authority announced the intention to request the restoration of the necessary powers of the Municipal Strategic Projects Support Company (Emape) in respect of tolls.
"We are going to renegotiate the tolls because, unfortunately, what has the previous administration left us as an inheritance? - International arbitration awards. We have options to negotiate. Here is one: the alternate options that are provided for in the concession contracts," he explained.
In addition, the high-ranking official deemed it absurd and ridiculous that citizens have to pay tolls just for trying to leave their homes to go to other districts.
Swearing-in ceremony
The event took place at the Municipal Theater and began at 5:15 p.m. (local time).
It featured top political and diplomatic authorities, as well as representatives of popular organizations, among others.
(END) GDS/CVC/RMB
Published: 1/2/2023