Corruption in Lower Delta forces Warao indians to Caracas and other cities
<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue
According to a Delta Amacuro State non-government organization (NGO), corruption in the Lower Delta Antonio Diaz municipality is a major reason why Warao indians are emigrating to Caracas and other Venezuelan cities to beg and waste away their lives.
Hernan Rosas and Delta councilor, Luis Rodriguez say they have studied the matter and have attempted to investigate where State resources set apart for the indigenous group have gone.
Both accuse pro-government Mayor Amado Antonio Heredia Bolano of corruption and confirm that they sent a dossier to the National Assembly public expenditure control subcommittee in March 2001.
The subcommittee recommended that Mayor Heredia be held publicly responsible and for the Citizen Power to open an investigation.
The NGO leaders admit that the first state prosecutor sent to investigate, Jesus Molina undertook a decent investigation ordering State Political & Security (DISIP) Police to start an audit.
Molina was replaced by Ana Cecilia Mora, who ordered a physical inspection of the works (housing and sanitary). In July 2002, auxiliary prosecutor Ermilo Dellan allegedly placed obstacles in the investigation. Rodriguez says, "despite complaints, the municipality was then granted 20 billion bolivares for indigenous peoples projects ... only 3 million have been used and used badly."
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