Panama Canal Project Persists Polemic
The controversial project to expand the Panama Canal has dominated daily life in Panama since the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) submitted the project to President Martin Torrijos on April 24, and the issue is main course for the media.

Local jokers claim that if one day Panama woke up without the canal there would be no news, Panama would no longer exist, unemployment would rocket and there would be fewer rich people.

The polemic over whether to enhance the canal has become black or white with no middle ground, and it will ultimately be decided by a referendum.

Supporters claim it will boost development throughout the century.

Without the canal the National Treasury would lose over 500 million dollars annually and an important source of jobs.

For observers, the 5.2 billion dollar investment for a third lock is a huge challenge for a three million populace that depends on a small economy.

Detractors claim it marks the end of Panama's history and former Canal Manager Fernando Manfredo claims Mega-projects such as this are bound to fail.

Yet Panama Canal Planning and Marketing Director Rodolfo Sabonge considers the project a winner, exquisite down to the last detail.

If a dramatic effect was needed, Canal Manager Alberto Aleman Zubieta provided it when he asked the National Assembly to increase the Canal budget by 137 million dollars, since use is up and the Treasury would get an additional 86 million dollars.