THE FAILURE to solve the water shortage in the Arriajan region led  to the closure of one lane of the Inter-American Highway at  Loma Cova, on Monday, July 21, causing a prolonged traffic jam during the early morning rush hours to Panama City.

Agents of the National Police tried to mediate with the protesters to allow the passage of vehicles, heading for work.

On Friday, July 18,residents of the neighborhood blocked access to the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (Idaan) for two hours.

The protesters claim that lack of water is already causing skin diseases. In 2010  $127,000 of Community Development Project and Public Infrastructure (Prodec) was spent on a water system that was supposed to benefit the community.

However, residents say ,the interconnection of new neighborhoods to the distribution network has left the community without water.

Last week Idaan staff conducted an inspection of the area and vowed to do some work to improve the water supply reports La Prensa.