Abel Mamani: Bolivian water minister dismissed following sleaze allegations

Bolivian President Evo Morales has appointed Walter Valda as interim water minister after dismissing Abel Mamani following publication of comprising pictures, local newspapers reported. The pictures depicted Mamani with Carla Borda, his advisor and head of La Paz water utility Epsas, while in Italy on government business, and also of the ex-minister purportedly in the company of a prostitute. Mamani said the pictures were a setup, and he accused the opposition of trying to blackmail him.

Mamani was a former activist, who headed a residents’ pressure group Fejuve in El Alto, that forced the government to cancel a water contract with Aguas del Illimani (Aisa), controlled by French group Suez. He created Epsas to serve both the capital La Paz and neighbouring city El Alto.

Walter Valda was until now the water ministry's river basin and hydrological resources deputy minister

Source: BNamericas [subscription site], 29 Nov 2007 ; AP / PR-inside.com, 27 Nov 2007