The Executive Director of Ports and Navigable Routes, Iñaki Arreseygor, denounced in the Chamber of Deputies a "sabotage" coordinated by companies and political actors against the bidding process for the Hidrovía, which includes the Paraná and Paraguay rivers. Arreseygor defended the transparency of the procedure and accused various sectors of orchestrating complaints about alleged "direction" that led to the cancellation of the bidding.
In an informational meeting convened by the president of the Transport Committee, Pamela Verasay, Arreseygor refuted the criticisms and pointed out a supposed coordination among former officials, politicians, businessmen, and media to undermine the bidding process. He noted that 31 participatory tables with relevant stakeholders were held before launching the bidding, and that the accusation of direction was a strategy to harm the producer.
Arreseygor mentioned the possible commission of crimes by companies and political actors, stating that the Competition Defense is investigating possible irregularities. He also warned that they will go to Justice if it is confirmed that there were attempts to sabotage the bidding. In response, Nicolás Massot criticized the lack of self-criticism in Arreseygor's defense and questioned the failure of the bidding process.
Deputy Maximiliano Ferraro confirmed the existence of negligence in the bidding of the Hidrovía and expressed his concern about the lack of competition among bidders. The controversy erupted when only one bidder, the Belgian company DEME, came forward at the opening of envelopes, raising suspicions of possible direction in the process.
The government announced the call for the bidding in November of the previous year, but the lack of competition and reports of irregularities led to the cancellation of the process. Meanwhile, Arreseygor warned that they will not allow actions that harm Argentine foreign trade and reiterated his commitment to rigorous specifications for future bids.
