Development

Billboards prompt complaints by residents

LA PRENSA

eyesore: A group of Clayton residents say that billboards have been put up in their community illegally.1085880

Residents of Clayton have called on the government to enforce a ban on billboards in their community.

The Asociación de Propietarios y Residentes de Clayton (Aprecla) has sent a letter to the Panama City mayor's office asking that several billboards be removed “immediately.” A representative of the group, Iván Arrocha, also asked that the government investigate how the billboards received approval.

The letter pointed out that, in 2000, the Ministerio de Vivienda issued a resolution prohibiting the placement of billboards in the residential areas of the so-called “reverted areas.” These areas reverted to Panama when the U.S. turned over the Panama Canal in 2000.

Residents of Clayton view the erection of the billboards as the latest violation of laws created by the government to protect the reverted areas. Those residents are also concerned that the government has rescinded a ban on high-rise projects.