The Minister of Public Works, Rafael Sabonge, revealed this Friday that the majority of the projects that have been put out to tender, that are being executed and will begin to be executed soon, are for the rehabilitation of roads throughout the country, “because we understand that this is a problem, it’s a concern that we have to address.
He announced that orders are being given to proceed in Chiriquí, Paso Canoas, Río Sereno, the road that goes to Boca Chicá, in Bocas del Toro the rehabilitation of roads in Almirante and Changuinola, and Veraguas.
Sabonge, who arrived at the National Assembly to participate in the installation of the new president of the legislature, hid behind the budgetary restrictions managed by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP), indicating that “the reality is that this pandemic has taken away resources and It has taken up our time, despite that we have looked for a way to carry out projects, especially the rehabilitation of roads, something that will improve the quality of life of Panamanians”.
According to the head of the MOP, due to this budget cut and lack of economic resources, a way has been sought to tender projects under the mechanism known as “turnkey”, which have financing. “We have already tendered around 25 throughout the country and they are in the process of delivering the orders to proceed and others are already being executed,” he said.
He pointed out that the first PPP (Public-Private Partnership) project, which is the Eastern Pan-American Highway, has already been prequalified.
He stressed that the full budget of the MOP is not only to cover the gaps but there are other works. “We are not complaining about the budget situation,” he said.
