SANTO DOMINGO – The Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) explained that the construction of the entrance to the city of Samaná, one of the most anticipated projects for the community, has not been halted, but rather slowed down due to unforeseen problems and setbacks that have forced a change in the project's schedule. The project was originally slated for completion in the first half of 2024.
Cited by the Deputy Minister of Supervision and Inspection of the MOPC, Roberto Herrera, among the causes of the delay in the completion of the important work are: some difficulties in completing the appraisal program to expropriate hundreds of inhabited houses, lots, that, although that part of phase I is already completed satisfactorily, the one corresponding to phase II is still missing in an area whose real estate has a high cost due to the characteristics of the area.
Roberto Herrera, Deputy Minister of Supervision and Oversight of the MOPC. (External source).
Another difficulty has been the unforeseen interruptions caused by failures in the drinking water distribution network from the city's aqueduct, which, on several occasions, have considerably affected the pace of the work carried out by the MOPC on that road.
According to Herrera, the construction of the aqueduct to supply drinking water to the inhabitants there, a project carried out by the Odebrecht company, lacks the quality and standards required in these works.
“That company, something that characterized its work was the quality, however, unfortunately, in Samaná, they were responsible for building an aqueduct, whose pipe passes through the center of the road, a work that leaves much to be desired.
"That pipeline has caused landslides, while the main entrance project of this city was being carried out, months ago, which cut off the road and recently we have discovered other damage to said pipelines that have forced us to conclude that we have to intervene in that aqueduct, which represents a blow to the plan to deliver this project in the first half of this year," says a press release from the Communications Directorate of the government entity.
“At this time, we are coordinating with the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage, INAPA, the institution that will have to decide on the replacement of the drinking water network that has the same route as the road and that, due to the poor condition of the pipes, presents constant failures at different points of the entrance to Samaná,” Herrera said.
The complaint
Juan Bancalari, president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Companies of Samaná (AHETSA), expressed concern this week about the delays in the construction and remodeling of the new entrance to the province of Samaná, urging the authorities to complete the work as it negatively affects tourism in that area.
He stated that the process has been very lengthy, after highlighting the urgent need for a timely completion to support the tourism infrastructure.
