The Assembly debates to expand extraction area in the Yasuni

Despite the discussion between the ruling party and the opposition for the exploitation of block 43 in the Yasuni National Park, which corresponds to the Ishpingo, Tambococha and Tiputini (ITT) fields, now they have focused their attention on the block 31, which is already being developed by the State-owned company Petroamazonas.

Rafael Correa asked the Assembly to declare both blocks of national interest, however, for the Pachacutik movement (PK) including block 31 is a form of “sanctifying” a violation of the Constitution because, is said, that a road is being built in that field,  for a year and half, which is inhabited by the the Huaorani and Kichwa tribes, and leads to the ITT.

But the second Vice President of the Assembly and former Minister of Environment, Marcela Aguinaga (AP), pointed out that the block 31 has an environmental license issued before the Constitution of 2008 came into force,  that allows the development of extractive activities in the fields of Apaika and Nenke, which are the only ones authorized and are located north of the block.

Once a chronology of works in that block was made, opposition Assembly member Clever Jiménez (PK) indicated that Petroamazonas entered in those fields in 2009, after the departure of Petrobras, when there was already a new Magna Carta prohibiting to do so.

Furthermore, the Assembly member of the ruling party, Ximena Ponce, said that the presidential request was made because a portion of block 31 is declared as intangible zone, so  that is why an authorization is required, she also noted that  in the resolution issued by the Assembly will be established a thoroughness implementation plan regarding the precautionary measures and the use of high-quality technology.

The Biodiversity Committee, yesterday, received the Chairmen of the tables of collective rights, economic development, justice and autonomous Governments to explain the reasons why they issued reports favorable to the presidential order.