10 May 2022
Gran Tierra Energy Invests Over COP$7.5 billion in Puerto Asís through the Work for Taxes Mechanism to Improve an Important Tertiary Road Benefitting More than 15,300 People
Gran Tierra Energy Invests Over COP$7.5 billion in Puerto Asís through the Work for
Taxes Mechanism to Improve an Important Tertiary Road Benefitting More than 15,300
People
Puerto Asís, Putumayo, Monday, May 9[th]. Gran Tierra Energy is pleased to announce the completion of a road improvement project in the municipalities of Puerto Vega and Campoalegre in Puerto Asís, Putumayo. Through the Work for Taxes mechanism, implemented by the Government of Colombia, the company invested COP$7.5 billion to improve 3.2 km of road that will ultimately benefit more than 15,300 people who live in the many villages connected by this road.
“Today we are delivering, jointly with the private sector, a path of great impact for the development of the region. What we are delivering today is a sign of the commitment of the Government of President Iván Duque. Regardless of the government that comes, the communities must continue betting on the PDET”, explained the Presidential Advisor for Stabilization and Consolidation (e), Juan Carlos Vargas.
The project was identified as a significant need by the inhabitants of the villages between Puerto Vega and Campoalegre in Puerto Asís for over 5 years, and now it is a reality thanks to the joint efforts of the private sector, the National Government and local authorities.
This important tertiary road was paved, shoulders were added, and it was painted with roadway safety lines. The quality of life of the people along this route and the local economy will be positively impacted as it will reduce dust, cargo and passenger transportation costs while at the same time increasing road safety and the commercialization of agricultural and livestock products.
“For the Transportation Sector it is very important to continue seeing the transformation brought by the Works for Taxes mechanism, to the development of tertiary roads in different regions. Today we are connecting the lives of the inhabitants of the villages of Puerto Vega and Campo Alegre, in Putumayo, and it is something that is happening in all Colombian regions. It is time to believe in greater mobility for the PDET municipalities, which will bring short-term benefits, in addition to allowing greater access to government services and programs,” said the Minister of Transportation, Ángela María Orozco Gómez.
In relation to the project, the General Director of INVÍAS, Juan Esteban Gil Chavarría, said: “The paving of 3.2 km of road benefits more than 15,300 inhabitants of Putumayo in the villages of Campo Alegre and Puerto Vega, in the municipality of Puerto Asís. Thus, with the investment of $7,591 million by Gran Tierra Energy, it was possible to increase the commercialization of agricultural and livestock products and reduce the time travel and passenger transportation costs. We are developing road infrastructure at the municipal level, a key aspect for municipalities to be more competitive and have a positive impact on the quality of life of the population in general”.
Since 2018, Gran Tierra Energy has invested more than COP$14.1 billion in the PDET municipalities of Putumayo. Projects include the installation of sanitation units for rural families, infrastructure improvements in local schools and rural roads, strengthening of the cocoa chain, environment protection and Human Rights promotion.
“Gran Tierra Energy will continue to support locally led community initiatives that have a positive impact on our neighbours and strengthen the local economy. Through this Work for Taxes project we are proud that more than 15,300 people living in the villages between Puerto Vega and Campoalegre in Puerto Asís will have safer road conductivity that will help them get around and get their products to market”, stated Manuel Buitrago, President and Country Manager of Gran Tierra Energy.
The company is fully committed to supporting the peace building efforts led by Government of Colombia in post-conflict regions. In the Putumayo specifically, Gran Tierra supports initiatives led by the Office of the Presidential Advisor for Stabilization and Normalization and its agencies, such as the Territory Renewal Agency (ART) and the Agency for Reincorporation and Standardization (ARN) and will continue to support initiatives that build towards better futures for local communities.
During 2021 Gran Tierra Energy completed two additional projects through the Works for Taxes (WFT) mechanism in the municipalities of Puerto Caicedo and Orito, Putumayo. These projects provided kitchen equipment including refrigerators, freezers and ovens as well as tables and chairs for 152 school cafeterias, benefitting over 12,000 students and teachers.
The Puerto Caicedo and Orito communities sought these school improvements for their students in order to address a pressing need, an increase in school dropouts because of food insecurity. Many administrators and educators believe that there is a strong connection between the success of a student and food security. The cafeteria upgrades made to the 152 schools supports increased food security for local students, as the participating schools will now have the ability to store and prepare nutritious food, keeping students in school longer
PDET Work for Taxes
It is a mechanism through which businesses and individuals, taxpayers of income tax, can design and implement projects to improve the living conditions of the communities of the municipalities most affected by poverty and violence in Colombia.
Taxpayers can make investments in the areas most affected by violence through social impact initiatives, actively participating in the transformation of the regions that require their commitment as participants in their development. In addition, these projects stimulate investment in the territories, enhance local economies and promote the region. Through this mechanism, 77 projects have been developed with a total investment of COP$611 billion to stabilize the PDET municipalities.
