Martinelli flagship arts project breeding mosquitoes

A $54 MILLION arts project launched with a fanfare  in Ancon by the Martinelli administration, has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and an eyesore for local residents.

the City of Arts in  the community of Llanos de Curundú, was tendered during the last administration by  the National Institute of Culture (INAC)

but was suspended by the current  government due to  construction “anomalies”  making  the $54 million a “risk” for the State.

The area where part of the work was started is covered with weeds several feet high and standing water creates optimal conditions for mosquitoes.

Gerónimo Espitia, a resident of Llanos de Curundú, told La Prensa  that the INAC left a problem for the community.

“We told the authorities from the beginning that the work had cost overruns,” said Espitia,

He said that the structure was designed to hold 1,200 people  which  would  strain the resources of the area.

The City of Arts would house the School of Fine Arts, the National Music Conservatory, The National Symphony Orchestra among other divisions related to the cultural platform of the country.

But,  during the development of the work many residents of the community rejected it, Because they considered that it would affect the systems of aqueducts and sewers of the area, that were over 50 years old.

María Chávez, coordinator of the Urban Citizen Network of Panama, said that situations like this occur  when a project is carried out without public consultation with the affected community.

INAC  reports  that they are in the implementation phase of a  Compliance bond, after an “administrative review” presented by the company that was awarded the work (Omega), was rejected

INAC said  that the work will be resumed once it ends  the procedure for Execution of the bond.