After two work sessions in Cundinamarca and Barranquilla (capital of the Atlántico department), ministers and managers will hear out the problems of citizens from low-income towns and will report on their performance.

Petro gave instructions on Tuesday in Barranquilla so that citizens’ finances do not continue to be affected by the energy supply, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Recognizing that the costs of the service are very high, he directed the Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, to find a formula to lower electricity rates in the country.

The president added that there is an agreement with the governments of the Atlántico department to implement a massive policy of solar panels on the roofs of houses as quickly as possible, which implies a big plan for housing improvement in the poor neighborhoods of Barranquilla and Soledad.

Petro also referred to the possibility of implementing the nationalization of the so-called Preferential Option, which is a debt that each family has with the electric energy companies, by decision of the previous administration.

“What we have agreed is that the Nation pays that debt in exchange for the families,” the president said, and commented that although this is a discussion that has not yet concluded, in less than a month a final decision must be made on the matter.

The current edition of the Government conference with the Popular Neighborhoods will conclude on May 10 in Cali.

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