The proposed gateway to a planned interoceanic canal shows little sign of activity but locals say Chinese experts have visited recently and work will start soon
At first sight, there is little to suggest the sleepy village of Brito is the starting point of one of the worlds most ambitious engineering projects.
Almost two years after ceremonial ground was broken on the Grand Transoceanic Canal of Nicaragua, the actual soil remains obdurately undisturbed by anything other than grazing cattle. There is no machinery, no noise, no activity.
Instead of legions of construction workers, the only people to be seen are a farming family sheltering on porch hammocks from the midday sun, and a couple of guards manning a gate on the rutted dirt track down to the river.
Yet contrary to the languid scene, local people have never been more convinced that the controversial mega-project is finally about to begin.
In recent weeks, they say, engineers have conducted geological surveys and marked up the area, farmers have been paid $3,000 to allow surveys of their land, and more than 500 acres have been purchased by the Chinese developer HKND for road-widening.
The company is absolutely serious. We had a big meeting last month and they told everyone, dont plant anything or build anything because you will only be compensated for the land, said Brito shopkeeper Manuel Cruz. They said they would start work on a pier within 15 days and bring in lots of workers in December or January.
Jos Mena, a farmer, said Chinese engineers had visited within the last month to bore holes and take readings at several points across his property. Mena said they used drilling machinery that was stored near the proposed construction site for the port, which is now guarded 24 hours a day.
Earlier this year, the developers also came to talk to him about land appropriation. I dont mind if it goes ahead as long as they do it well. They should not do too much damage and they should ensure that people get proper compensation, he said.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/24/nicaragua-canal-interoceanic-preparations