SANTO DOMINGO.– The Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) inaugurated the renovated tourist pier of Catuano, Saona Island, in the province of La Romana, last Thursday.
With an investment of RD$4,528,291.44 million, this infrastructure seeks to strengthen tourism activity in the area, boost the local economy and promote new sources of employment, directly benefiting the community.
During the opening ceremony, Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director, highlighted the importance of the project, which is part of a comprehensive effort to improve the country's port infrastructure.
Rodríguez added: “For example, today we were told about an opportunity to improve a pier in La Romana, and we have already instructed the engineering team to conduct a site visit to see how it can be improved.”.
Meanwhile, Paíno Henríquez, Minister of the Environment, called on community members to take care of Saona Island and Cotubanama National Park.
The authorities inaugurate the project. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
“You have to play an active role in protecting this wonderful island and this entire national park… Now we have to protect the infrastructure we have built, we have to continue developing more sustainable projects for Saona and for the entire country,” Paíno Henríquez pointed out.
The new infrastructure includes: A treated pine wood pier with an area of 160.35 m²; replacement of screen beams for greater safety and strength; Installation of 30 cleats and 26 rubber fenders (bumpers); LED lighting throughout the dock area, with metal poles to improve visibility and nighttime safety.
The Catuano dock is part of the National Plan for the Construction and Rehabilitation of Fishing Docks.
The Director of Operations for the Presidency, Anibal Belliard, said, “We feel we have fulfilled our duty with the report we submitted to the President, which includes reports from the Ministries of Education, Housing and Urban Development (MIVED), the National Health Service (SNS), the Ministry of Environment, and the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA)… Don't lose heart; we will continue working here on the island. I will end with the phrase coined by the President: On Saona Island, they are also Dominicans.”.
Also present at the event were: Alejandro Campos, president of the Board of Directors of APORDOM; Ivelisse Mercedes Méndez, governor of the province of La Romana; Príamo Rafael Ramírez, general director of DO-Sostenible; Eduardo Kery Métivier, mayor of La Romana; Vice Admiral Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, commander of the Dominican Navy; Eddy Quiñones, president of the Pro-Development Association of Saona Island.
In addition, municipal authorities, deputies, deputy directors, officials, APORDOM collaborators and community members attended.
With this project, APORDOM continues to strengthen the country's port infrastructure, ensuring that tourism and fishing are sustainable sources of development for coastal communities, according to a press release.
