Around 93 families will receive $ 252 as compensation for damage to their homes as a result of illegal mining in the area.
Through Decree 316, President Guillermo Lasso ordered the delivery of a bond for disasters to 93 families affected by the sinkhole in Zaruma, which left three homes destroyed and 49 at risk.
This aid, which will be exceptional and for one time only, will be equivalent to 50% of the Basic Family Basket, that is, $ 252.
The National Service for Risk and Emergency Management will be in charge of collecting information on the victims for damages caused by illegal minery in the sector.
Lasso signed the decree after presiding, virtually, a meeting with different government agencies.
At that meeting, the situation in Zaruma; and the first president called for attention to the mayor of that city, Jhansy López, because in his six years in office he has not delimited the urban territory in the canton, to undertake prevention actions.
«Be clear that you cannot carry out mining activities of any kind (in that area). It is regrettable, Mr. Mayor, that you did not make that decision on time and I urge you to do so immediately, “said the president.
Tunnel filling work
The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, together with other State portfolios, began the construction of plug No. 1 in the area of the subsidence.
The plug is made of high-strength simple concrete, 3.60 meters wide by 3.60 meters high, in the shape of a “T”, and a slab reinforced with reinforcing steel one meter thick.
In his presentation, the Vice Minister of Mines, Xavier Vera, reported on the detection of seven mine openings located in the subsoil of eight houses studied.
There they found caverns and underground galleries that cause the collapse of the sector. This, he added, confirms that there is a high activity of illegal minery under the houses of the city.
Lasso set a follow-up and review meeting for 10:00 on Thursday, January 20, 2022. (JS)
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