The overall objective of this operation is to support the Panama Sanitation project in the Panama Oeste Province, located west of Panama City and Canal. The project will consist of the construction of a wastewater collection system - sewerage networks, pumping stations and household connections - the construction of a conveyance system and a wastewater treatment plant to provide full sanitation services to the sector of La Chorrera and other surrounding areas. The project is a successor operation to the West Panama City Sanitation Programme - Burunga. The rest of the project will be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the government of Panama. Objetives: The programme contributes to the government's efforts to reduce pollution and improve environmental sustainability. It will benefit an estimated population of about 225,000 at completion. The treatment facility will be designed to avoid the discharge of over 115,000 cubic meters per day of untreated wastewater into the environment. It will also indirectly have a positive economic impact due to its proximity to the metropolitan area of Panama. The project is in line with the EIB Water Sector Lending Policy and is eligible for financing under the EIB Climate Action and Environment Facility (CAEF) as it contributes to environmental sustainability through pollution abatement, to underpin sustainable growth in the region. Environmental aspects: The project will have a very high positive environmental and social impact for the population of Panama. It will significantly reduce direct wastewater discharges into water bodies, thus contributing to improving public health and environmental conditions in the beneficiary area. The project's compliance with environmental and social principles of the EU, the EIB and the other IFIs, together with the applicable national environmental legislation and issues related to adaptation to climate change, will be verified during the appraisal.

The project is a successor operation to the West Panama City Sanitation Programme - Burunga. The rest of the project will be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the government of Panama.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF EIB The EIB Complaints Mechanism is designed to facilitate and handle complaints against the EIB by individuals, organizations or corporations affected by EIB activities. When exercising the right to lodge a complaint against the EIB, any member of the public has access to a two-tier procedure, one internal - the Complaints Mechanism Office - and one external - the European Ombudsman. A complaint can be lodged via a written communication addressed to the Secretary General of the EIB, via email to the dedicated email address complaints@eib.org, by completing the online complaint form available at the following address: http://www.eib.org/complaints/form, via fax or delivered directly to the EIB Complaints Mechanism Division, any EIB local representation office or any EIB staff. For further details, check: http://www.eib.org/attachments/strategies/complaints_mechanism_policy_en.pdf When dissatisfied with a complaint to the EIB Complaints Mechanism, citizens can then turn towards the European Ombudsman. A memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the EIB and the European Ombudsman establishes that citizens (even outside of the EU if the Ombudsman finds their complaint justified) can turn towards the Ombudsman on issues related to 'maladministration' by the EIB. Note that before going to the Ombudsman, an attempt must be made to resolve the case by contacting the EIB. In addition, the complaint must be made within two years of the date when the facts on which your complaint is based became known to you. You can write to the Ombudsman in any of the languages of the European Union. Additional details, including filing requirements and complaint forms, are available at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/atyourservice/interactiveguide.faces