He called for a review of maintenance and emergency planning systems for the nation.
SANTO DOMINGO- Ramón Pepín, former Minister of Public Works, questioned the recent failures in the public transportation and in several road infrastructures in the country, following the effects of the national blackout and the passage of Tropical Storm Melissa, which exposed deficiencies in planning and maintenance.
Pepín pointed out that both the Santo Domingo Metro and the Cable Car had to activate their backup power systems in response to the blackout on Tuesday afternoon, which are designed to come into operation in emergency situations.
“Both transportation systems have native systems that should be activated as soon as an event like yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) occurs. We expect explanations, because there were citizens who had to walk home due to the lack of an immediate response,” Pepín stated during an interview on the program El Despertador on Grupo SIN.
The former official considered the official response “timid” and said the government should have provided assistance with public transportation units to ensure citizens' mobility. “Such assistance should exist in a government that plans to serve its people,” he stated.
Damage to roads and roadworks
Pepín also addressed the damage to roads and slopes caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, which he attributed to a lack of stabilization and adequate drainage in some road construction projects. He explained that, in several areas, the soil became saturated, leading to structural failures.
“The first failure occurred due to the haste in inaugurating works that were not completely finished. A slope must be stabilized naturally or mechanically, and in this case, the protection was not ready when the rains arrived,” he explained.
The engineer explained that "planar type" failures, associated with horizontal displacements, have been identified in the country, and recommended a comprehensive review of all outlet slopes on the main highways and ring roads.
“We suggest that the Ministry of Public Works conduct a comprehensive review of the slopes , because the lack of drainage and adequate protection can cause landslides in the face of phenomena like Melissa,” he said
Regarding ongoing projects, Pepín cited the San Francisco de Macorís bypass, a mere eleven kilometers long, and said its progress has been minimal since its inception. “The project was started and has been underway for almost six years without completion. This highlights a problem in the execution of capital expenditures,” he stated.
The former minister argued that low investment in infrastructure directly impacts the safety and mobility of the population, and called for prioritizing planning in road construction and maintenance projects.
He also commented that the storm highlighted the lack of maintenance on main roads and that pothole patching and repairs should not be considered emergency measures. “The potholes being filled in Greater Santo Domingo were there before Melissa. These are routine functions of the institution, not emergency measures,” he said.
Questions about government management
Pepín described the emergency declaration issued after the storm as “hasty,” arguing that the damage assessment had not yet been completed. “That declaration was made before the damage could be evaluated. We have to wait for the technical reports to determine the true needs,” he stated.
He also criticized the announcement of new contracts and tenders outside of the established schedule, noting that many of these projects were already included in the budget. "If they were in the budget, why are they being put out to tender at the end of the year?" he asked.
He also explained that the overpass in the Pintura area differs from the original plan, noting that the current designis different. “The initial design included a different solution, but the government decided to make changes. Sometimes the technical aspects aren't taken into account, and that affects the efficiency of the works,” he pointed out.
Finally, Pepín urged authorities to strengthen technical oversightand ensure that every project meets the required safety and maintenance standards. “The country needs planning and technical continuity to prevent infrastructure failures in emergencies like Melissa’s,” he concluded.
