While the first phase of the Janna dam construction was handled by a local firm, the second phase which should have started in 2014, consists of the construction of a dam that will enable the storage of up to 38 million cubic meters of water and was awarded to a Brazilian company (Andrade Gutierrez).
This same construction company, Brazil’s second-largest, “has just agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors for its alleged role in a massive corruption scandal centered on state oil company Petrobras and agreed to pay 1 billion reais ($286 million) to settle the allegations”.
Ironically enough, a controversial hydropower dam in Brazil being built by Andrade Gutierrez (AG) was pushed through, despite protests by environmental and social campaigners, by Brazil’s ex-president Dilma Rousseff, who was suspended recently over corruption allegations. The Belo Monte dam went ahead regardless of concerns about its environmental impact and economic viability, which is exactly what’s happening now with the Janna dam. Andrade Gutierrez is also involved in the World Cup scandal and is behind the controversial Amazonia Arena in Manaus.
These dams and stadiums were all built to serve the political parties in Brazil and were all overcharged. The total cost of the Janna dam is estimated at $200 million and works are ongoing despite several concerns raised and the lack of scientific reports to back its construction.
Another scandal in the making. Why am I not surprised?
Original Story via YouStink
Scandal implies someone will lead an investigation.
I think you’re hopeful on that part 😛
if a scandal hits HSBC in Singapore, it doesn’t mean that HSBC Lebanon is corrupted.
or are we used to jump to conclusion and make false accusations before a proper investigation even takes place?
if a scandal hits a company’s HQ, then you should think twice before working with them. Let them have a proper investigation and studies in regards to the dam before proceeding with it.
Too late. the contract was signed way before this scandal erupted, and as far as I know the work in the dam is half way through.
As far as I know, construction companies are not involved in the design nor the environmental impact assessment of such a big project. Their only job is to construct. This might bring a concern towards the pricing of the project instead of its environmental impact.
We were at Chouwen the other day, the water has turned a muddy brown (it was clear blue) and the water level is down about half a meter if not more…. We didn’t even swim, there was no current anymore…
Sad. My favorite place is now a memory.