The ten billion dollar dam

Yacyreta, Argentina's largest hydroelectric power station edges towards completion, despite the blunders, corruption and controversy. Built jointly by Argentina and Paraguay 1000km north of Buenos Aires on a section where the Parana River defines the border between the two countries, the dam was designed to harness the hydraulic resources of the powerful river. Resettlement and output issues aside, ever since construction began at Yacyreta, suspicions were rising over the publicly financed multi-billion dollar project being abused by those in charge of it and over-spending has also been a major issue. A bank had been contracted to administer $563 of government cash to finish Yacyreta as after four years of a terrible recession which led to the 2001 economic, social and political debacle. And if Yacyreta does at last fulfil its original expectations, then perhaps the nation's fortunes really will be looking brighter.