Water chief takes the fall as crisis drags on

(PanamaNewsRoom) When the Executive Director of Panama’s national water authority (IDAAN), stopped appearing before the cameras to explain the ongoing water crisis , the writing was on the wall.

On Monday (January 31) Manuel González Ruiz submitted his resignation to President Ricardo Martinelli on Monday “for health reasons."  He will remain in office until his replacement is appointed. Usually the post is held for the duration of the president's term of  office.
His resignation of the official comes in the midst of a near 2 month crisis over the lack of drinking water in of Panama and San Miguelito, and ongoing shortages leading to rationing.
The replacement, according to the law, must be a Panamanian citizen with a college degree in a field related to the entity, and at least five years of administrative experience. He or she cannot have been convicted of crimes against property, the public trust, and public administration or criminal tax fraud