The Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry invests S/800 million (about US$246.3 million) in the clearing and channelization of 14 rivers and 5 streams along the Peruvian coast in preparation for the coming rainy season, Minister Jose Hernandez affirmed on Monday.
The government official underlined the Ministry is running at top speed to complete prevention works in December, thus guaranteeing the population and crops will be protected against rains in the first quarter of 2018.
Efforts comprise the Reconstruction with Changes Plan designed to refurbish areas damaged by "
Coastal El Niño" phenomenon between January and March this year.
This way, the government seeks to prevent river overflowing and floods as a result of downpours while protecting close to 2 million Piura-based citizens.
Projects underway
The Kuczynski administration has invested S/317 million (about US$97.59 million) in the clearing and channelization of Piura and Chira rivers.
Once these are concluded, the government will proceed with projects to protect more than 20,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Similar works are underway in other regions —Tumbes, Ancash and Ica— affected by said climate phenomenon.
Lastly, Minister Hernandez underlined the Ministry's efforts in association with major consortiums, local and regional governments, as well as agricultural guilds to speed up and intensify prevention works.
Other sectors like the Ministries of Transport and Communications —as well as Housing— are also working simultaneously to reconstruct infrastructure damaged and destroyed by the natural disaster.
(END) NDP/MAO/MVB