...and then run out of money half-way thru the project. Yup...just like Cuba....without the beard.

Delay of the third bridge depresses job offer
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
The national Government's delay in providing resources for the continuation of the third bridge over the Orinoco River, which is built between Caicara del Orinoco (Bolivar) and Cabruta (Guarico), is a matter of intense debate among the workers, who were briefed by the company Norberto Odebrecht for further divestiture if the financial unavailability persists. A team of Correo del Caroni reportorial ran-Friday-works facilities, noting the partial paralysis denounced by the unions.

▪ Natalie Garcia / Special Envoys
Photo William Urdaneta

Caicara del Orinoco .- Employees of the third bridge over the Orinoco are afraid to stay in the streets for lack of resources that has paralyzed the work in recent months.

The job uncertainty breathed revealed in the meeting called by the unions that took place this Friday. At the same workers were informed about the intention of the company Norberto Odebrecht leaving at least 300 workers to balance the books until they receive the $ 250 million owed by the national government budget for 2009, and 750 million this year.

Edgar Lima, president of the Municipal Workers Union Cedeno, said the company was dismissed by notifying, and so were moving to try to fix the government with the Brazilian construction company because, besides the reduction of staff is raised the change in working hours and the closure of some areas of work.

The main problem of the play is the lack of resources to continue work as normal, despite the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Diosdado Cabello has said that the money is, it does not stop coming.

A few months ago the leadership moved to Caracas to be attended by Minister Cabello, unable to even be received. They also went to the foundation Propatria whose officials said resources were being processed.

"Carnival of looming famine is arre ... and boy can not say if it is white or red, which calls for bread and milk is not going to act when laying off workers, no sir. Let's go to Caracas because they want more redundancy, "said Lima.

Struggle of all
Emilio Bravo Cedeño Sutrabolívar general secretary said: "We want this project to continue, so if we do not know it today will happen tomorrow, we need everyone to join us is a struggle of all."

Workers in turn openly express their fears. "Every time we come here we are awaiting with anxiety because we do not know when they will bite the tab. The worst thing is that after this we do not know where to look for work, or what we will feed our children, "said one employee who declined to be identified.

We attempted to contact the company and talk to authorized personnel, but it was not possible. Access to the building was also denied, but union leaders and employees provided to Correo del Caroni travel part of the facility to talk with those affected and to verify the partial paralysis of one of the flagship projects of the Bolivarian revolution.

People off

The partial paralysis of the third bridge construction project on the Orinoco River has had effects on the populations of Caicara del Orinoco, in Bolivar state, and Cabruta, in Guarico, deepening economic recession in the commercial sector.

The streets look like empty premises. Even the most noted restaurants have a shortage of customers, a situation not seen since before 2006, just as he started the project that meant a new look for the forgotten area.