Creation of the Ministry of Infrastructure Generates Reactions in the Political Sphere

The creation of the Ministry of Infrastructure has generated various reactions in the political and social spheres of the country, especially following the announcement made during the message to the Nation for National Holidays. Hania Pérez de Cuéllar, Minister of the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation (MVCS), has been the spokesperson providing the most information about this new portfolio, describing it as an extension of the National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN) that will be responsible for the execution and supervision of public investment projects. Pérez de Cuéllar detailed that the new ministry will focus on construction and its processes, as well as the supervision of works. This approach is designed to centralize and improve the execution capacity of the various programs that currently depend on several ministries. The involved sectors will be able to concentrate on formulating public policies, allowing for greater specialization and efficiency in project execution. According to the minister, the purpose behind this initiative lies in diagnosing the problems faced by each executing sector. The creation of the Ministry of Infrastructure aims to address the deficiencies in the execution of works while providing an organizational framework that allows for prioritizing and coordinating efforts in the construction of necessary infrastructure for the country. However, the optimism of the Executive is contrasted by the reality of the legislative process. Pérez de Cuéllar emphasized that the proposal must be discussed and approved by Congress. This phase of debate and approval could be challenging given the current political context and the different positions that may arise regarding this new ministry. The minister warned that in a less favorable scenario, the proposal could face significant delays or even not be approved. Despite the uncertainty, the minister emphasized that the ministries currently managing infrastructure projects will continue to be responsible for their execution. She assured that these works will not be neglected during the process of creating the new ministry, as each ministry has specific goals to meet that require constant attention. The creation of the Ministry of Infrastructure also brings to the forefront a pressing issue in the country: the more than 2,000 stalled works that are at various stages of execution and facing corruption problems. Pérez de Cuéllar noted that it is vital to open a debate on this public issue. The situation of stalled works represents not only a waste of resources but also a missed opportunity for development and improvement of national infrastructure. The minister urged citizens and political actors to participate in this debate, stating that it is essential to find effective solutions to unblock these works and ensure that infrastructure projects meet the expectations and needs of the country. The discussion about the new ministry could be the catalyst needed to address these problems comprehensively. On the other hand, this proposal to create the Ministry of Infrastructure is also inspired by successful models from other countries, which has sparked interest and analysis in various sectors. The possibility of learning from the experiences of nations that have managed to improve their infrastructure through similar ministerial structures could be key to the success of this new portfolio. In conclusion, the creation of the Ministry of Infrastructure represents a significant step in the pursuit of improving the execution of public investment projects in the country. However, its success will largely depend on the Executive's ability to overcome legislative obstacles and the political will of all actors involved in the process. The proposal invites a rethink of how public works are managed and supervised in the country, which could have a lasting impact on Peruvian infrastructure.