While the government insists on convincing indigenous communities to lift the blockade, the concessionaire views its investment as under threat.

EDITORIAL

Four weeks after natives and indigenous groups in the area blocked access to works on the hydroelectric project Barro Blanco, President Varela insists on dialogue – until now “deaf,” – as a mechanism to resolve the conflict, which has paralyzed work for 5 months without taking measures to affirm the rule of law and legal certainty, investment, and national development plans, in this case for energy.

“… ‘We can not continue with uncertainties. We reiterate to the Government the urgency of continuing with this previously authorized construction work in order to avoid structural and imminent risks, as well as the resolution of the pending administrative process with the Ministry of Environment ‘, said a press release issued by Genisa. ”

Prensa.com reports that “… Genisa’s request comes after President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela’s proposal on Thursday, July 2, to the indigenous people of Ngäbes to allow the continuation of construction of the project, located on the river Tabasará. However, he clarified that Barro Blanco would not come into operation until discussion on this topic with the communities affected has finished.

Source: Prensa.com

Panama: Government to Complete Barro Blanco

The government has told opposition sectors of its decision to finish the works on the hydroelectric station, but there are no concrete actions to meet that goal.

From a statement issued by presidency of Panama:

The High Level Commission on the issue of Barro Blanco informed the Indigenous and Country People’s Commission, in a report, of the conclusion of the first process of dialogue established at Tolé, and the decision to complete the construction of the hydroelectric project Barro Blanco, located on private land in the district of Tole, Chiriqui.

The report reiterates the need for all work related to the consolidation of the left abutment of the dam to be completed, as failure to do so would put at risk those living downstream of the project.