MOPT delegates signing of heavy machinery procedures to team leader

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) delegated to engineer Alex Zamora Barrientos, head of the Control and Equipment Department of the Machinery Control Directorate, the signing of all documents linked to the official-use heavy equipment fleet. The decision is contained in Resolution No. RES-MOPT-DM-0794-2026, signed by Minister Efraím Zeledón Leiva on August 5, 2026, and published in edition No. 165 of La Gaceta — Official Gazette on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The measure seeks to streamline official management of the national road network, which requires a high volume of procedures before four institutions. The delegation takes effect from its publication and was requested via official letter CARTA-MOPT-DI-DVOP-DCME-2026-373 dated July 28, 2026, by the general director of the Public Works Division, Alonso Mora Arroyo, and the director of Machinery and Equipment Control, Nelson Brown Garita.

Legal framework of the delegation

The resolution is based on Executive Decree No. 27917-MOPT of May 31, 1999, which regulates the organization and functions of the Ministry, and particularly Article 19, which assigns the machinery and equipment control unit the preparation of inventories, renewal programs, and maintenance coordination.

The legal basis for the delegation of signature is Article 92 of the General Law of Public Administration No. 6227, which allows for the delegation of the signing of resolutions while maintaining responsibility with the delegator. The Attorney General’s Office, through opinions C-250-2011 and C-061-2013, has specified that this figure does not transfer decision-making competencies, but only the material act of signing documents.

Scope of the delegated procedures

Engineer Zamora Barrientos, holder of identity card 1-1152-0754, is authorized to sign procedures for the heavy equipment fleet before four agencies:

• National Registry: registration, deposit or removal of plates, change of characteristics, certifications, payment of stamps, fees and valuations, as well as release of liens.
• National Insurance Institute (INS): processing of policies, payment of circulation fees, accident processes, and internal management.
• Road Safety Council (Cosevi): circulation fees, consultation and history of infractions, return of plates, certifications, return of money to the State and contesting fines, as well as weight and dimension permits.
• National Road Council (Conavi): conventional permits for hazardous materials and other wide-load permits.

Appointment and validity

Minister Efraím Zeledón Leiva was appointed to lead the MOPT through Agreement No. 001-P on May 8, 2026, published in Supplement No. 53 to La Gaceta No. 84 on May 11, 2026. The resolution orders the notification of the delegate, as well as engineers Nelson Brown Garita and Alonso Mora Arroyo, and stipulates that it takes effect upon its publication.

The delegation of signing authority is personal and temporary in nature: it ceases automatically if the identity of the delegator or the delegate changes, and the minister retains at all times the power to assume jurisdiction over any matters they deem necessary. With this measure, the MOPT seeks to reduce waiting times in the processing of machinery that supports the construction and maintenance of the national road network.

Source: La Gaceta — Official Gazette, No. 165, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Executive Branch, Resolutions, pgs. 2-4 (official reference: IN202601118621).