Lawyer Pedro Meilán expressed strong criticisms towards Panamá Ports, highlighting irregularities in its management that could impact the income of the Panamanian state. Meilán recalled having filed a formal complaint in the past demanding the delivery of the company's financial statements. After analyzing them, they detected possible misappropriations of funds and increased operational costs that affected the royalties paid to Panama. The lawyer pointed out that in twenty years, Panamá Ports had only delivered one million in royalties, which raises concerns about oversight failures.
"It is time to act decisively," Meilán emphasized, urging the authorities to maintain strict oversight of Panamá Ports and other contracting companies. He criticized the lack of action in the past and questioned the statements of a former comptroller who praised Panamá Ports as one of the best companies in the country, considering that many things have been hidden. Meilán also underscored the importance of transparency and accountability as a standard.
Regarding the recent audits conducted by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, Meilán indicated that they could yield key information about the irregularities. In particular, he mentioned identifying loans with unfavorable rates for the country and the sale of assets followed by leases at high prices, which artificially increases costs to justify lower profits and reduce dividends. Meilán highlighted that a thorough investigation into these operations is essential to ensure compliance and accountability for all companies related to the state.
