The economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by the US government hinders the aqueduct and sewage services in the country, denounced the main directors of the Superior Organization of Business Management (OSDE) Water and Sanitation, in a recent visit to Ciego de Ávila.
Abel Elpidio Salas García, president of that structure, stated that the acquisition of raw materials and equipment becomes more expensive due to the obligation to import from distant countries, due to the refusal of nearby nations to trade with Cuba for fear of sanctions from the USA administration.
Electrical components, pumping systems, hydraulic technology materials and other essential resources could be obtained in nearby nations, with good quality and at a lower cost, but the distancing of merchants from the region leads to making purchases in distant countries, he said.
He explained that moving to geographically distant markets, such as China and France, causes higher expenses for transportation and delays in the arrival of equipment, parts and materials to Cuban territory, which limits the progress of works that will improve the quality of services.
Salas García also rejected the limitations imposed by the US economic siege to access equipment that will allow the implementation of technological modernization processes.
Cosset Torres Tondike, first vice president of the aforementioned OSDE, pointed out that they currently lack resources to carry out planned repairs, because of difficulties with imports, despite the priorities established by the country to grant financing to this sector.
The hostile policy of the US government hinders the purchase of equipment abroad, made through the importer-exporter company Cubahidráulica, so that the last machinery for aqueduct and sewage works arrived in 2004, therefore, the equipment suffers overexploitation, she argued.
In this complex scenario, ties with Cuban universities are strengthened to seek solutions that help alleviate the deficit and replace imported resources, in addition to ensuring the repair and design of parts that maintain the vitality of old machinery and pumping equipment, she stressed.
Production linkages with state and non-state sector entities also favor access to resources for repairing water treatment plants (filtering material, railings, floors, and valves), previously acquired on the international market.
The ability to resist and search for alternatives to face the limitations imposed by the blockade has allowed the remodeling of water supply sources in numerous health institutions in the country's capital, in order to guarantee a stable supply, he explained. Torres Tondike specialized in the repair of the networks and booths of the pumping stations of pediatric hospitals and the Latin American School of Medicine, in accordance with the priorities established by the Ministry of Public Health.
Although medical care centers are a priority, taking into account epidemiological complexities, works are also promoted in other strategic sectors such as Tourism and Education, in addition to prioritizing care for neighborhoods and communities in vulnerable conditions, she specified.
