Housing Minister Resigns
The Ministro de Vivienda
(Housing minister),
Fernando Zumbado, has
left his post
temporarily while
investigators dig into
allegations of misuse of
us$1.4 million dollars
in funds donated the
Government of Taiwan
placed in a fideicomiso
(trust fund), which was
to be used to eradicate
the "precarios" (slums)
in Pavas.
In a letter to Costa
Rican president, Oscar
Arias, Zumbado, known as
the minister to the
poor, said it is best he
step aside while the
investigations into the
allegations are ongoing
and can the president
can expect him to
maintain his distance.
The investigation is
being carried out by the
Contraloría General de
la República
(Comptroller's office).
"My conscious is
asbolutely clear because
I believe we have acted
correctly and the
fideicomiso was used as
destined", said Zumbado.
Zumbado added that
according to a
resolution by the
Contraloría on May 16,
2007, the money was not
considered public funds
and belong to the state
and were destined for
despific purposes by the
Taiwanese and assures
that there never was any
misuse as it is being
alleged in the press.
Zumbado said that he has
made available to the
Contraloría all
documents over the
funds. At the same time
has sent a note to the
Banco Centroamericano de
Integración Económica (BCIE)
to give the Contraloría
all the information it
has on the fideicomiso.
The minister said the
people of the Rincón
Grande, in Pavas, whom
he has lived with during
the last couple of
years, deserve a lot of
respect.
"You can always count on
me and from the hearth I
hope that we all come
out winning from this
situation", said Zumbado.
For his part, president
Arias accepted the
Zumbado resignation,
saying that the hard
work of the minister is
recognized and that it
is best that he keep his
distance while officials
during their work.
The temporary
resignation was
effective as of
yesterday. The
viceministro de Vivienda,
Jorge Sánchez, will take
Zumbado's place
temporarily.
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