Panama Carnaval spending spree continues with no bid deals

DEPENDING ON the outcome of the May  election the upcoming Panama City “Carnaval” may be the last opportunity for the Tourism Authority of (ATP ) ,  run by Solomon Shamah to splash government dollars around to selected members of the community, and he has tackled the task with gusto.

The authority will pay $300,000 to the Silver Seal company for decorating services, design, assembly and disassembly of the floats and costumes for the queen and princesses during the Carnival which will run from March 1 to 4 It is just one of 17 a direct no bid contracts , which was published in PanamaCompra ,

and so far totaling $ 511,000, That is, only part ofyhe $3 million tax payer dollars that the government gave to this institution for the organization of the bachanallian fest on the Cinta Costera as scores of thousands flee the city or the country. The tourism authority claims the event brings millions of dollars into the country but empty restaurants, deserted streets and under-utilized hotels raise questions on how the income is calculated.

The Authority will also pay y$ 7,000 to ER Power for installation, removal and electrical work to be used in kiosks and flooring , $ 27,000 to Dragonfly Fractal production concept 3D mapping , $75,000 to Vame Group service organization for logistics , assembly, disassembly , decoration , carnival rides , inflatable games , recreational activities and attractions , $ 25,000 thousand to Aldo Cunningham services , and $ 21,000 to PR5 Public Relations for a marketing plan .

However, the bulk of the investment is spent on ATP performances reports La Prensa

Shamah reported Thursday February 20 that the main show of the festival will be Gran Combo of Puerto Rico , a group that will rake in $60,000 .

published . Artists must bring their roles as providers. "

Although President Ricardo Martinelli said that during his election campaign that the government would no  spend a penny on financing Carnaval, the government has given millions to the ATP during the past five years for the event From 2011 to date , the ATP has handed $ 8.2 million in for carnivals.

COMPLAINTS

Stallholders at the Seafood Market ave complained of lost revenue yesterday showed as since Wednesday access to parking at the location has been closed as Carnaval platforms are installed.

Some have had to close close their businesses because customers do not have a place to park .

"There are 174 parking spaces taken  away to build a stage for an event to be held in nine days andI would like to know where they are going to park the customers," said Betty Wilson, with 20 years of selling in that market.

Others said that agents of the National Police and the Transit Authority and Land Transport penalize vehicle owners when they are illegally parked without taking into account that the market has run out of space for people to do their shopping.

PERMIT PROTEST

A group of people interested in setting up their food stalls on the route of the Carnaval of gathered Thursday and were told there were no more permits They complained  that the Ministry of Health (MoH) promised 100 quotas for fixed and 50 for mobile sales , but despite lining up they could get no answers

Last year the MoH granted 200 permits.