Wishes from public works in Gard: “Overall, we are on the right track”

Face aux élus, le président de la fédération régionale dresse le bilan et les perspectives. MIDI LIBRE – AD. B.

Despite the constraints linked to inflation, order books are rather good for 2024, estimates the regional federation of public works during its greetings in Nîmes.

We do not miss the wishes of the regional federation of public works. This Thursday, many high-ranking elected officials were present to attend the economic meeting at Atria, in Nîmes, bringing together entrepreneurs who carry out projects in municipalities, Agglos, departments, etc.

Among them, senators Denis Bouad, Laurent Burgoa, the presidents of Nîmes métropole Franck Proust or Alès Agglo Christophe Rivenq, or even, for the City of Nîmes, the deputy in charge of works Emmanuel Carrière .

A large order book in urban areas, less in rural areas

In a context of inflation and ecological change, how are public works in Gard ? Not so bad, according to Olivier Giorgiucci and Christophe Ruas, respectively president of the Regional Federation of Public Works d'Occitanie (FRTP) and president of the Gard delegation of the same FRTP. "The public order was maintained. Overall, we are on the right track,” declared Christophe Ruas, still emphasizing a dichotomy between the Agglos, “where the order book is very strong.” and the rural environment, "much more suffering".

Overall, the order book should not be empty in the next two years. "We are in a pre-election period. We will start doing the work now so that it can be inaugurated before the (municipal, Editor's note) elections, indicated Olivier Giorgiucci. According to the FRTP, the increase in activity increased, in 2023, by 5.5% in value and 3% in volume, knowing that the average inflation of production costs is 2.5%. 

Olivier Giorgiucci insisted on the shift to take, that of the ecological transition, highlighting the training programs for the federation's members to adapt to climate change. "We must reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. Funding at national level is geared towards this objective", underlined Olivier Giorgiucci.

In this rather clear landscape, the regional president nevertheless highlighted the concerns of the moment: the deterioration of payment deadlines, the increase in business failures and, finally, the recruitment difficulties on the job market.