Pesquera says he is not looking at a permanent role in the government

Carlos Ignacio Pesquera is the newly appointed special coordinator of PRASA.

By The Star Staff

Carlos Ignacio Pesquera, the newly appointed special coordinator of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), announced that he will not charge for his professional services but will seek reimbursement from the government for the external resources needed to propose improvements to the water system.

Appointed by the governor to tackle the recent water crisis affecting many areas of the US commonwealth, Pesquera is ready to take action.

“I won’t charge for my professional services. I’ll ensure I have the resources necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the system, including engineer Liliana Maldonado, a Mayagüez graduate and expert in water systems. She has previously worked on the Washington water system, and I plan to reach out to our diaspora to help identify what I see as the core issues, which we’ll compile into a useful document. While I will compensate for those external resources, you can rest assured that the total contract amount will be very reasonable,” Pesquera stated in an interview on NotiUno radio.

He highlighted the need to involve individuals with a deep understanding of the system’s history. “It’s often crucial to know who has been involved in the past and understands how to operate various components to stabilize the system. I’ll rely on those valuable insights,” he added.

Pesquera made it clear that he’s not looking for a permanent position or intending to take on a continuous role. “My intentions are straightforward—I don’t aim to lead the authority, nor am I pursuing government positions. However, I want to share my experience through targeted interventions. If necessary, I could extend my involvement, but that’s not my main goal,” he remarked.

He also pointed out that his focus will not be on evaluating management. “The governor has communicated her expectations to her team, and she made that clear to me. I intend to concentrate on the technical aspects, which encompass a variety of components. I won’t shy away from sharing my thoughts with the governor,” he explained.

Addressing rumors of sabotage concerning the water crisis, Pesquera commented, “I don’t believe sabotage was involved. Mistakes can occur during construction, and those responsible shouldn’t be blamed if there’s no negligence. However, I want to ensure that once we address the immediate water issues affecting citizens, we also tackle the underlying problems to prevent them from resurfacing,” he asserted.

“I informed the governor last night that I anticipate one or two weeks of intensive work to produce something beneficial. My goal is to be contracted for 31 days in August, during which I will present a report to the governor, gather feedback, finalize it, and contribute,” he concluded.