SANTO DOMINGO- The Codiano Institutional Committee (CIC) questioned the lack of action by the Ombudsman regarding the complaints filed by several contractors who are facing difficulties that have prevented them from receiving payment for old debts for works that were delivered and have been used by the country for many years.
Architect Emiliano Familia, general coordinator of the CIC, cited the case of the company Ingenieros Liberato y Asociados, which last February filed a complaint regarding the administrative obstacles imposed by the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (MIVHED) that have prevented the payment of the outstanding balance for the completion of the UASD-Mao Regional University Center, inaugurated 14 years ago.
The director of the entity that groups contractors with old debts to collect, assures that the aforementioned company submitted a comprehensive file, with documentary evidence on the irregular management of the MIVHED and the paralysis of the payment process in the Ministry of Finance and that, however, to date the Ombudsman has not reported any action or public statement on the case.
In statements sent to the press, architect Familia expressed that "the silence of the Ombudsman is unacceptable and that his duty is to intervene against abuses and administrative negligence.".
“The omission in the face of such a clear case turns the Ombudsman into a passive spectator, when the citizens expected an active guarantor,” said the general coordinator of the CIC.
Familia warned that the lack of action weakens public trust in that institution and prolongs the economic and human damage to contractors, because when the Ombudsman remains silent, administrative impunity is strengthened and citizens are left defenseless against state arbitrariness.”.
Finally, the Committee called on the Ombudsman to give an account to the country regarding the actions taken since February and to assume his role as guarantor of rights in the face of bad practices in public administration.
