Ex-President of Panama demands investigation into hospital construction

Former President Ricardo Martinelli asked the Comptroller General of the Republic, Anel Flores, to initiate a thorough investigation and for those responsible to face consequences for the delays and cost overruns in the construction of the Ciudad Hospitalaria. Additionally, the hotel that was part of the project since its bidding phase was removed. In fact, the former head of state also requested an investigation into the additional $70 million that the Bugaba hospital ended up costing, which was delivered this week. Ciudad Hospitalaria, tendered in 2015, was initially budgeted at $518 million. It was only recently inaugurated, after the 102-room hotel that was part of the project was removed, with the total construction cost amounting to $2.1 billion, Martinelli stated in a video posted on his social networks. I am happy that the Bugaba hospital was inaugurated yesterday. Among the members of the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) who are in this situation are former Vice President Gaby Carrizo, as well as former mayor of San Miguelito Héctor Valdés Carrasquilla. It would be good to investigate, he highlighted. I very respectfully ask Mr. Comptroller Flores to carry out a thorough investigation, requested the former head of state, who demanded that whoever has to fall, falls. Martinelli recalled that he tendered this project during his government, but for unknown reasons, it was suspended in 2015. Meanwhile, former deputy and director of Pandeportes Héctor Brands is being investigated for alleged irregularities in his bank accounts, as was the personal secretary of Nito Cortizo, Anel Flores, Comptroller General of the Republic, has advanced that what he has seen is just the tip of the iceberg and that there is still more information to be gathered. It should be remembered that in recent weeks, the Comptroller General's Office has ordered the seizure of assets from members of the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) for alleged acts of corruption during the administration of former President Laurentino Nito Cortizo. The bad thing is that it cost us $70 million more, Martinelli considers. During the coronavirus pandemic, many lives could have been saved, and it cannot be that such an important project was delayed and postponed, as it would have been of great help to the Panamanian population, in addition to the cost overrun of $1.5 billion, added the former leader. I cannot overlook this complaint that I want to make.