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Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Suspected Fraud in Construction of Panama's Centenario Bridge

Panama, Dec 29 (Prensa Latina) The Panamanian General Prosecutor's Office
announced Wednesday an investigation of those people who were responsible
for the design, legal awarding of contracts and construction of the
Centenario Bridge, built over the Panama Canal.

The Centenario Bridge, built by German consortium Bilfinger Berger, was
inaugurated on August 15, 2004, by then Panamanian President Mireya
Moscoso and her Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe.

With a length of 1,057 meters, a tightened structure, anchored panel
with wires going to its towers, 6 lanes, and a road for walkers at 80
meters of height over sea level, the bridge has not yet been used,
because it leads nowhere, and several traffic irregularities have been
detected.

The investigation was cheered by a brief made by Panamanian Public Works
Minister Carlos Vallarino, which denounced the irregularities.

The brief questions the cost increase for construction of the bridge
from 90 to 104 million dollars and structural problems related with the
contract and original designs.

The General Prosecutor Office is now in charge to investigate if there
was any fraud or corruption action linked to the project.

Doubts started when expert Humberto Reynolds, from the Panamanian
Association of Engineers and Architects (SPIA), said there was failure.

Reynolds observed deformation in pre-effort wires, cracks in structural
sections of the bridge, and lack of light.

Former President Mireya Moscoso (1999-2004) is being investigated for
spending a million-dollar state reserve destined to urgent social expenses
on clothes, garments and other luxury items, and receiving great royalties
from Taiwan.

ef/tac/rr

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