Martinelli re-pledges removal of Yacht club by 2014
A 2000 election victory promise by President Ricardo Martielli that the Yacht and Fishing Club on the Cinta Costera would be moved “in a year” has been re-pledged as “by 2014”, the year his mandate ends.
"Believe me, before 2014, the Yacht and Fishing Club will b e located on the banks of the Panama Canal, as it should be, " he told La Prensa. {jathumbnail off}
He placed the blame for the delay on club members and the authorities dealing with the problem.
"What happens is that it is a mess to get agreement with 1,000 members and a mess to agree with many entities, " he said. He added that the issue is now in the hands of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
When the Club is gone from the coastal strip, the 1.5 hectare landfill site constructed from the public purse will be used for the development of arts and recreational activities "for the Panamanian people. "
Since his earlier pronouncement the nation’s Maritime Authority has twice renewed the "provisional permit" that allows the club to take up over 10 hectares of sea off what was once Avenida Balboa. The Club pays 11 cents per square meter rental.
A "provisional permit" was originally issued on August 26, 2008, for a term of 11 months and 29 days. It was renewed on October 16, 2009 and September 27, 2010, ignoring regulation on concessions, dating from 1976, saying that "provisional licenses" have a maximum term of one year.
