Chimborazo pre-candidate reports low budget execution

Santiago Oviedo, a pre-candidate for the Prefecture of Chimborazo, has highlighted significant administrative and economic challenges facing the province. He reported a major gap in budget execution, noting that only $20 million of an institutional budget of approximately $100 million for 2026 has been utilized to date.

Oviedo attributed this stagnation to a lack of technical preparation and managerial capacity among leadership rather than a lack of funds. He noted that over the last eight years, average execution of investment and current spending has remained below 50%. He also cited a fear of oversight from the State Comptroller General and the Attorney General's Office as a reason why officials hesitate to launch large-scale projects.

Additionally, Oviedo warned of socioeconomic risks in Alausí and a decline in the province's competitive standing, noting that Chimborazo has dropped in national development rankings.