IOC report: FNTP calls for avoiding pitting maintenance against new infrastructure projects

The National Federation of Public Works (FNTP) welcomes the work of the Infrastructure Steering Council (COI), which has made it possible to establish a clear diagnosis of the state of our networks and the country's infrastructure needs.

The FNTP fully shares the COI's assessment of the urgent need to invest in the maintenance, regeneration, and modernization of existing infrastructure. We can no longer allow a heritage that France has spent decades building to deteriorate.

But this priority cannot become a pretext for the state to disengage from major infrastructure projects. Pitting infrastructure regeneration against infrastructure development would be a mistake, because we cannot preserve the existing infrastructure at the expense of the future.

According to Alain Grizaud, President of the National Federation of Public Works: "The role of the IOC is to assess the country's infrastructure needs, not to adjust our ambitions to budgetary constraints. The question of need must precede that of financing in our thinking. Taking into account the long-term socio-economic benefits is also essential."

The FNTP (National Federation of Public Works) reiterates that infrastructure is a direct driver of competitiveness, territorial cohesion, and ecological transition. At a time when our European neighbors are investing heavily to attract goods and industries, France cannot afford to remain passive.

The 18 major infrastructure projects examined by the COI must be viewed for what they are: structuring investments to relieve network congestion, decarbonize mobility, support economic activity, and prepare France for the future. Evaluating only the cost to public finances is to underestimate their long-term socio-economic benefits and risk the country's economic decline.

The FNTP therefore calls on the State to return to a long-term vision regarding infrastructure and to assume a clear investment strategy, integrating both regeneration, modernization and construction.

The FNTP now expects the Government to translate this ambition into a multi-year infrastructure programming law, essential to give visibility to stakeholders, secure sustainable funding and guarantee the continuity of investments over time.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.