Panama Bay Cleanup moves ahead

(Caracas, June 7, 2012).- A ceremony attended by Panama President Ricardo Martinelli, Health Minister Franklin Vergara, and CAF director representative Rub�n Ram�rez was held to mark completion of the excavation and lining works for the interceptor tunnel, one of the key components of the Panama City and Bay Cleanup Project.

The project was needed because of the rapid urban development of Panama City in recent decades, which has led to a deficit in sewerage systems and pollution in the Bay of Panama. The project, promoted by the national government through the Ministry of Health, is partially financed by CAF with a USD 120 million loan.

During the ceremony President Martinelli emphasized the importance of the project for restoring health and environmental conditions in the metropolitan area and eliminating pollution from untreated sewage in urban rivers and coastal areas of the Bay of Panama, which will improve the health, environment and the quality of life of the population.

The CAF representative director in Panama reaffirmed the financial institution’s commitment to the country's development. "This project, with high social content, has become an international benchmark for integrated projects for wastewater treatment in Latin America." He also praised the execution and teamwork of the Health Ministry Project Coordination Unit.

The plan is to build 135 kilometers of sewerage networks with their household connections, and drains to channel the sewage. The project also includes construction and start up of an 8-kilometer 3-meter diameter interceptor tunnel, a pumping station and a wastewater treatment plant.