“Changing Nicaragua is promoting a socio-economic model that unites us all… It is unity that strengthens the path of peace, security and stability, the paths we are following, little by little improving the lives of all Nicaraguan families," said Rosario Murillo, Council of Communication and Citizenry coordinator, in a recent commentary.
She affirmed that the country's current government, led by President Daniel Ortega, has as its fundamental thesis working jointly with all in the struggle against poverty.
Nicaragua has advanced significantly since Daniel Ortega's first term, thanks to economic and social projects which have contributed to better living conditions for the population.
One of the principal initiatives undertaken was the return of free public health care and education, allowing families greater access to these services. The government has created a Human Development Plan 2012-2016, establishing 12 guidelines with the purpose of taking action to transform the nation socially and in terms of production.
The points converge around the need to reduce poverty, attention to foreign policy, and comprehensive development of the Caribbean coast.
This year, the 2016 Good Government Plan was implemented, focused on executive action and goals for the current period.
Under the maxim, "Working together like a big family," the plan includes objectives set for key sectors, such as health, education, and housing, with the goal of restoring the rights of every Nicaraguan family.
In terms of the economy, this past year the country's Central Bank estimated that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 4.9%, with construction, financial services and commerce being the most productive sectors.
Likewise, positive projections have been made for this year, with the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) 2015 Preliminary Report on the region predicting growth of 4.3% for the Nicaraguan economy, well above the 0.2% projected for Latin America as a whole.
A NEW BRIDGE BETWEEN OCEANS
One of the country's biggest plans is the Grand Interoceanic Canal, being constructed by Nicaragua and the Chinese company HKND linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans - a maritime transportation/world trade project to expand and complement traffic through the Panama Canal.
Operations and port management are to be the responsibility of one of the world's leading consultant agencies in the field, British Maritime Technology.
The canal's waterway will be a bit more than 270 kilometers long, 230 to 280 meters wide, and up to 30.2 meters deep.
Environmental impact is being taken very seriously, with the need to mitigate the effects of climate change; ensure reforestation; protect biodiversity; and recuperate water sources lost during the construction.
The estimated cost of the work is 50 billion dollars, and the Nicaraguan government expects the GDP to double after its completion.
Some 50,000 jobs will be created, and an increase in demand for national products is expected, along with improvement in the standard of living in communities of the region.
Work is projected to begin toward the end 2016, and will conclude within five years.
DANIEL, THE PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE
This coming November 6, Presidential elections will held in Nicaragua, and Daniel Ortega was elected unanimously as the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) candidate, during its VI Congress.
Delegates to the Congress also voted to grant Ortega authority to chose a running mate, to continue a policy of alliance, and to define the party's slate of candidates for the National Assembly, as well as the Pan American Parliament, according to the FSLN's La Voz.
This is the seventh time Daniel Ortega has been nominated by the Front to lead the country. A recent survey by M&R consultants showed that the current President enjoys a 77.6% approval rating among Nicaraguans, and that 63.7% intend to vote for the FSLN in the upcoming elections.
