Election promised cold chain halted

The construction of public markets forming part of the Cold Chain, one of the irrevocable election promises of" President Ricardo Martinelli has been suspended.

The structures in Santiago and Las Tablas will not be built due to lack of land and Penonomé because of  conflict among users.

Although already committed $258.6 million in procurement, producers question the efficiency of the Cold Chain and claim that they spend millions of dollars in cold rooms that  only benefit supermarkets.

"I see no future for this project. The clock is ticking, the costs are high, but still no results, "said producer Luis Martinez.

Of the nine markets that were proposed, only five have been tendered, that of David, Panama, Colon, and two of  in La Chorrera at a cost of $183.6 million.

The second component of the program involving, the logistics system was awarded to the consortium Cold Panama for $75 million.