Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Hondurans demand repeal of hydroelectric plant sale under the Micheletti regime





The infrastructure generates 16 megawatts of electricity during the rainy season and a megawatt summer. (Photo: The Herald)
The infrastructure generates 16 megawatts of electricity during the rainy season and a megawatt during summer. (Photo: El Heraldo)
The residents of the 90 communities of the south will  take on the hydroelectric Jose Cecilio del Valle  in order to demand to the National Congress the repeal of the decree that gives this important infrastructure to an Italian consortium . The Congress president, Juan Orlando Hernández, ordered a review of laws passed during the last three months of the de facto regime


Leaders from 90 communities in the southern part of Honduras announced that starting this week they held demonstrations to demand the repeal of the decree adopted under the de facto regime over the concession of the hydroelectric Jose Cecilio del Valle to an Italian consortium. 
Community leaders from the departments of Valle and Choluteca (both south) agreed to carry out an  assembly held in the city of Jicaro Galan, to take the dam and lock races, if Congress does not reverse that decision that affects the drinking water supply of about 120 thousand inhabitants. 
It was Jan. 13, at its last session before the handover, when Parliament passed, by Decree No. 293-2009, a series of laws on public works, including the granting of the dam to an Italian company for exploitation. Moreover, the contract was sanctioned by the head of the de facto regime, Roberto Micheletti, Jan. 21, the day he announced his withdrawal from power. 
Voices adverse to the measure, most notably the liberal deputy Valle, Eleazar Juarez, say they introduced a motion before the new Legislature to repeal the contract, and reported that work is underway in the organization of all settlers of the area to the pressures that are necessary to defend their rights. 
Also they requested to investigate in detail what was the procedure followed to grant this infrastructure to the private sector."Several Members of Congress fully know when and how the contract was approved," said Juarez. 
To hide the controversial decree, the official newspaper La Gaceta of January 22 was faked and on that day two gazettes were printed in the National Company Graphic Arts with the same number but with different content. In only 20 copies of all the decree was published, which resulted in a major scandal, known as "The Gacetazo. 
"This is a pathetic proof of the collapse of the institutions in Honduras," the newspaper Tiempo said, in an editorial. 
Parliamentaries will meet tomorrow to hear a report by a special commission, which will suggest whether to annul the award or not. 
Meanwhile, Congress President, Juan Orlando Hernández, ordered a review of laws passed during the last three months of the de facto regime. 
The Nacaome Dam is considered a source of  hope for residents in 90 towns in the south of the country. This state infrastructure is seen as a monument to bring progress to their communities. 
The infrastructure generates about 16 megawatts of electricity during the rainy season and an average of one megawatt during summer. 
The construction of the dam cost the people of Honduras $ 160 million and the Italian government approved a donation of $35.4 million for the work to be more efficient. The active forces are waiting for a response from the new government of Porfirio Lobo, elected in a disputed election under a de facto regime, installed after the coup that ousted the legitimate president, Manuel Zelaya, of power in June 2009. 

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