SANTO DOMINGO.–PresidentLuis Abinader inaugurated the Nuevo Domingo Savio project this Sunday, with the purpose of revitalizing and recovering the banks of the Ozama River, directly impacting more than 43,000 residents of two of the most popular and densely populated sectors of the country, La Ciénaga and Los Guandules in the National District, in an area that covers 112 hectares.
This comprehensive project seeks to improve the qualityof life of these communities through the creation of infrastructure, sports facilities, public spaces and essential services.
In his remarks, the president highlighted the project as an example in several ways. First, he emphasized that the government chose to continue the project, initially with a design only 15% or 20% complete, and immediately committed to moving forward, providing all the necessary support.
Abinader emphasized that this project serves as a national model for addressing vulnerability and transforming it into security. He highlighted the ecological benefits of transforming a polluted river into a cleaner system, also underscoring the importance of citizen security and protection against cyclones and heavy rains.
“This is a project that benefits the environment; we had an entire river that was polluted, and going from that is an example of being able to have a much cleaner system from an ecological point of view,” said President Abinader.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration in a public-private partnership and, addressing URBE, the head of state acknowledged the positive impact of its success, urging them to continue working for the benefit of the country in other areas.
The ruler praised the empowerment of the community, highlighting its ability to move forward and improve while standing up for its rights.
He highlighted the role of the National District mayor's office, led by Mayor Carolina Mejía, in unifying all sectors.
The president expressed his pride in the work of the Dominican people and concluded by highlighting the importance of consensus and joint work for the advancement of the Dominican Republic.
He stressed the need to continue reaching agreements on development models and projects to achieve a country with a better quality of life, more opportunities, and sustainable development with respect to the environment.
“I am proud of the work of the Dominican people; it is with this consensus and this work that the Dominican Republic moves forward.”.
A work with a vision for the future
The Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos, stated that this project, with a vision for the future, reflects the Dominican Government's commitment to the policy of continuity of the State assumed by the current administration.
Referring to the continuity policy of the Luis Abinader government, he pointed out that this project, which integrates the Los Guandules and La Ciénaga neighborhoods, began in 2017 and due to its social impact, the president approved its continuation and development.
Santos highlighted the three essential pillars of the project: relocation of people in vulnerable areas, strengthening of local connectivity and construction of facilities to improve the quality of life of more than 45,000 inhabitants.
URBE Director
For his part, the executive director of the Executive Unit for the Redevelopment of Neighborhoods and Environments (URBE), José Miguel González Cuadra, emphasized that the New Domingo Savio is not just an urban development project, but a project that settles an outstanding debt with thousands of families.
“The commitment assumed by the State to ensure that every Dominican man and woman has the right to a dignified life and better opportunities for their families is a fundamental axis in this work that we are delivering to you today, Mr. President,” said González Cuadra.
Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude for the political will of President Luis Abinader, as well as the support of the inhabitants, and highlighted the project as a model of social and human transformation, vital for the environmental regeneration of the Ozama River basin, accompanied by the design of processes for the comprehensive management of solid waste.
“Today we are all witnesses to a model project in the process of social and human transformation; an initiative that was made possible thanks to the political will of President Abinader's administration as well as the support of the inhabitants of these two sectors, hardworking and honest people committed to the collective well-being of their community.”.
Mayor Carolina Mejía described the new construction as a transformative project.
He considered that President Abinader has demonstrated his statesmanship with the completion of this project. He also maintained that the new sports complex will be of great significance for the future of the city and the country.
Relocated families
As part of this initiative, 2,500 families, equivalent to a total of 8,800 people, have been relocated from areas exposed to flooding from the Ozama River, thus improving the living conditions of these previously vulnerable and at-risk communities.
Domingo Savio Project
The project, protected by the Paseo del Río avenue, includes a 4-lane road that acts as a barrier against river pollution.
Recreation parks
Along this route, recreational parks, a baseball stadium, three sports courts, and a 3,250 m2 multi-sports complex have been created. This is considered one of the most important elements of the project.
Sustainable fishing
The La Ballena Nuevo Domingo Savio park promotes sustainable fishing and the Ricardo Carty residential street has been revitalized.
Day care
A day center run by the National Council for the Elderly (Conape) has been added, with the capacity to accommodate between 150 and 200 people simultaneously each day. A National Police detachment and a Navy detachment are also currently out for tender.
New Domingo Savio Corridor
In collaboration with the Metropolitan Office of Bus Services (OMSA), a new bus corridor has been established to promote sustainable urban mobility in connection with the Santo Domingo Cable Car and the Santo Domingo Metro.
President Luis Abinader was accompanied by former President Hipólito Mejía; the Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos; the Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; the Minister of the Interior and Police, Jesús (Chu) Vásquez; and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development (MIVED), Carlos Bonilla. Also present were the Director of Customs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón; the Director of the National Police, Ramón Antonio Guzmán; the Director of the Dominican Fisheries Commission (CODOPESCA), Carlos José Then; the Commander General of the Dominican Republic Navy, Vice Admiral Agustín Morillo Rodríguez; Senator Antonio Taveras; and the Governor of Santo Domingo, Julia Drullard.
Also present were the Vice Minister for Dominican Communities Abroad, Carlos de la Mota, and the Consul of the Dominican Republic in Miami, Geanilda Vásquez.
