public works

Agency lacking vehicles

The Ministerio de Obras Públicas (MOP) in the province of Herrera is behind schedule for several projects because it lacks the equipment and the manpower to do the work.

MOP's Provincial Director Eduardo José Harari said the agency is looking to rent excavators, dump trucks and tractors. While this will be more expensive than buying the equipment, he said that going through the tendering process would take too long, as many of the projects have to be finished before the rainy season starts.

But Harari added that it will not be easy to locate equipment to rent, either, as there is a shortage of that kind of equipment in the province. He has started to search for providers outside the area to locate the necessary vehicles.

The MOP is looking to dredge several creeks and rivers throughout the province so that they will not flood during the rainy season. Several communities were severely impacted by floods last year, and the MOP is trying to avoid a similar situation this year.

Other projects slated for this year include repairing roads damaged by last year's floods.

Most of the road work will focus on the communities of Santa María, Parita and Chitré.

When asked if the government is receiving value for money in renting rather than buying, Harari replied that the most important thing is to get the projects done before more damage is caused by heavy rains.