Las Claritas in misery
Wednesday 07 May 2008
The mining town south of urgently needed assistance to leave the chaotic state in which it finds for decades.

Natalie Garcia
ngarcia@...

Picture William Urdaneta


Poverty is present in Las Claritas: the place which hosts one of the largest gold reserves americas

The people of Las Claritas, mining town located south of Bolivar state, are thrown to the abandonment lack the most basic services for a dignified life. Despite being next to the Las Cristinas Project, one of the largest and richest gold deposits in South America this place seems no man's land, being one of the least attractive points along the route by tronca 10, and all this by governmental neglect that has plunged into misery without apparent departure.

One of the main problems facing residents on a daily basis is the lack of an efficient system of sewers, which are not overflowing, as happens at present-the first to fall lluviecita or worse overflow is only by the large number of houses built to pipe that was insufficient.

Beatriz Gutierrez is one of the aggrieved by the bad drainage system and therefore comments that are tired of that boat and water Putrefacto this fall just in front of his sale of food being unbearable odors and flies that make such a feast with Postino.

"True, it repaired but do not care if water is spilled, really do not know we are going to do because when it dries the dust is harmful, on the other hand we also have problems with drinking water, giving away trucks pass but the water is worse because one does not stop, so it is a problem itself by spending and buy each other gifts the abuse and bad service, we hands tied. "

Apart from this problem the various mining companies like Crystallex, to mention the most famous, are in constant conflict with the miners of their surroundings and the people in general do not see anywhere improvements that the people should have the signature of contract of that company with the CVG in which establishes compliance projects for the common benefit.

Regarding the sewers part of that system was installed in the mine, some neighbors say the study was so poorly done that it fell a little time at the end were the hardest hit residents, who were without the goat and without the Rope "because the drains are useless and the streets were shattered.

In intensive care

The theme of care is another of the tragedies, the outpatient area issued fete smells which leaves much to be desired service that can deliver there. The construction of the new hospital will wind in its sails but could be stalled according to the designs of the Ministry of Basic Industries and Mining, which rearranged the territory of the entity for the rational exploitation of minerals, possibly being affected Crystallex, which is responsible for this important work.

In an emergency-as happened this weekend with the death of four people in one family-the people does not respond, and the most serious case is that most patients are referred to as The Peoples Dorado or Tumeremo, which sometimes do not receive them because of lack of personnel and supplies.

Another of the claims of residents is the investment of several million bolivars in the old building 'wall of shame ", a work of the council of Sifontes that neither he mistakenly put his hand on this area, according to reveal several affected.

"This mayor has not done much for us, gives huequitos penalty as did those of food kiosks, I think we deserve more than enough wealth and leaving here is not just that we have abandoned so because neither the means to come here but this is a matazón or something like that, we are abandoned and this can not go on like this, "said one resident who preferred not to reveal his identity.

The mining situation and social problems that this represents is another focal points that affect Las Claritas. Definitely recruiting CVG with the dealership Canadian Crystallex has brought more good news that shocks by the reluctance of the miners to abide by the rules imposed by the company, which so far has not granted permission for holding gold.

Answers and works

The requirement of local residents in Las Claritas and Kilometer 88 is that once and for all someone, whoever, they shop to get a hand on a mining town plunged into misery but is surrounded by riches and one of the reserves gold in the world.

"What I ask is that solve problems, it is not possible that we do not have water, sewers that do not serve, that things are as they are needed to help us but without really coming to seek only the votes for being years election because we not only eat or serve in these periods, are people throughout the year, "he said a resident.