Colombian department outlines 2017 municipal spending plans

The government of Colombian department Atlántico published details of how it will spend 508bn pesos (US$175mn) in four central municipalities this year.

A large chunk of the resources – for Polonuevo, Baranoa, Sabanalarga and Luruaco – will be pumped into infrastructure and drinking water initiatives.

Some 166bn pesos will be spent on infrastructure, the government says on its website.

Atlántico infrastructure minister Mercedes Muñoz said work on a section of the Ruta Caribe highway between Sabanalarga and Palmar de Verala municipality, and the conversion of a section of La Cordialidad highway into a four-lane divided highway, will complement ongoing work on the Circunvalar de la Prosperidad beltway in the department's capital, Barranquilla.

In terms of water, 60bn pesos will be invested this year, said the government, which has signed an agreement to relocate the main intake of the Luruaco water pipeline, an initiative that entails an investment of 32.2bn pesos. Work also involves laying new pipes to carry raw water.