Comptroller's office names AYA as responsible for delays in Metropolitan Aqueduct works

Statement from the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Costa Rica

[Machine translation]

Marta Acosta, Comptroller General of the Republic, pointed out before the Commission for Income and Expenditure on Aqueducts and Sewers as the person responsible for the delays in the construction of the metropolitan sewage system.

Regarding the project, he stated that the population with access to sanitary sewers would increase to 65 percent to influence environmental improvements and public health of the citizens.

He stressed that in 2004 the cost of the works was 250 million dollars and by 2020 it increases to more than 490 million dollars, which means that their cost almost doubles and the works have progress problems.

He explained that the Comptroller's Office carried out three audits on the project between 2011, 2016 and 2020 that showed problems with the financial progress of the works, delays in the disbursements of credit resources and delay in financing sources, among others.

In 2020, he detailed delays of more than six months for the completion of the works of the three most important projects located in the north of the metropolitan area.The Comptroller assured that AYA did not warn of limitations in relevant inputs during the review and acceptance of the design proposal, which led to modifications to meet the required scope.

Audio Marta Acosta Zúñiga, Comptroller General of the Republic

The Comptroller stated that the sanitation plans for the adequate management of wastewater in the country require more than six billion dollars to improve sewerage and wastewater sanitation. She added that during 2020 only 19 billion colones were invested, which represents only 15% of what is needed, which he said reflects the great investment needs to improve wastewater management that the country requires.

Deputy Luis Fernando Chacón Monge emphasized that environmental sanitation is a debt owed to the country and emphasized the impact of wastewater on the Rio Grande de Tárcoles. He drew attention to the project, which he assured should have been planned so that the resources were invested appropriately to have an effective mechanism for the removal of the waters.

Audio deputy Luis Fernando Chacón Monge

For his part, the deputy Erick Rodríguez Steller consulted the comptroller about the actions carried out by the institution after the problems detected in the audits carried out on the works to establish responsibilities.

Audio deputy Erick Rodríguez Steller

Legislator Carlos Ricardo Benavides Jiménez expressed that, although many resources were lost, the decision to terminate or not a contract has great consequences and eventual responsibilities. For this reason, he asked the Comptroller if the country has the instruments to make the correct decisions in cases such as the execution of sanitary sewer works.

Audio deputy Carlos Ricardo Benavides