Calls for audit of $782 million Cinta Costera 3
THE PRESSURE is building on Comptroller Federico Humbert to audit the Cinta Costera 3 project that was built by the Odebrecht company for $782 million during the last government. Stage 2 was a direct $52 million contract issued soon after Ricardo Martinelli took office.
The calls come from civil society and business leaders arose after judicial authorities in Brazil condemned company president Marcelo Odebrecht to 19 years and 4 months in prison for corruption and money laundering.
“There is no justification for the cost of the work,” said Roberto Brenes, the former director of the Panama Stock Exchange.
Critics say that the corruption scandals uncovered in Brazil indicate that there could be similar issues with projects done by Odebrecht in Panama, namely that the contractor inflated the price and then split the excess profits with politicians who awarded the work reports La Prensa.
The project began in 2011in the face of UNESCO and local opposition which Martinelli ignored. It ended in 2014. It is a 4.5 kilometers six-lane highway.
Architect Ricardo J. Bermúdez said he supported the audit, but added that all major projects done by the government should be scrutinized.
Maribel Jaén, of the Commission of Justice and Peace, said that there are many questions about the project due to corruption allegations that have plagued the parties involved in connection with other Odebrecht projects.
