One month after the earthquake that shook the Nicoya peninsula on September 5, Costa Rica government reported that the cost of infrastructure replacement is of some ₡25 billion ($50 million).
The data released by the National Emergency Commission (CNE) on Friday came from the final report of damage and replacement costs submitted by public institutions.
The report states that some of them are assuming the repairs while others will be forced to request loans to finish them.
Among the institutions using their own funds for the repair works are the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), the National Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) and the Public Education Ministry (MEP)
MOPT reported that 15 national routes affected by the earthquake are already repaired and the only work left is the installation of a bridge in the canton of Sarapiquí, Heredia. The restoration of public aqueducts and sewers in the area is almost finished, according to AyA.
Funds for repairing affected public schools and high schools are being administrated by the Ministry of Education through local education boards.
The Social Security System, or Caja, reported that damage to infrastructure will be partly financed with hospitals’ insurance policies but they will also need to request a loan from the World Bank to complete them.
The Ministry of Housing reported they have finished a damage assessment in affected homes to determine the severity of each case. They estimate it could require an investment of up to ₡ 5,500 million ($11 million) depending on whether they need to be repaired, rebuild or if the families must be relocated.
