dominican - Haiti Observer Blog

According to Dominican Investigative Journalist Nuria Piera, President Michel Martelly received at least $$2.5 million in the form of Kickbacks by a Dominican construction firm owned by Dominican Senator Felix Bautista.

The winning Companies:
According to the report, one the companies owned by Bautista, HADOM Construction was awarded a $2.5 million contract to do reconstruction work in Haiti. HADOM received 75,466,638.08 HTG ($1.8 Million U.S.) on November 8, 2010 and another 5,000,000 HTG ($120,000 U.S.) on May 11, 2011. The contracts were signed by former Prime Minister and current Presidential Adviser, Jean-Max Bellerive

Aw!

The winning Haitian Politicians:
According to the Investigative Journalist Nuria Piera, companies owned by Senator Batista transferred $2,587,100.00 to Haitian President Michel Martelly and $250,000.00 to presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat.

Read more →  

Prime Minister (PM) Lamothe is cracking down on illegal contraband smuggled on the Haitian-Dominican border. His primary objective is to replenish the government coffers that have been drained by untaxed goods by-passing inspections.

Laurent Lamothe met with officials of the Economic Forum of Private Sector Affairs at the end of June, to discuss strategies for monitoring the Haitian-Dominican border. Besides the problem of contraband, Lamothe also addressed peripheral issues that obstruct the efficiency and efficacy of government services.

The purpose of gathering together the EFPSA was to join forces and alert the public that smuggling and tax fraud, among other crimes, will not be tolerated and will incur heavy penalties, including jail time, depending on the severity of the crime.

Read more →  

It was reported that a group of residents in the Municipality of El Penon in the Dominican Republic has mounted street protest against Haitians living in the region due to the cholera outbreak in the neighboring country of Haiti.
Last Saturday, Dominican protestors burned tires on the streets and prevented normal day to day activities in the municipality of Penon by blocking streets, throwing rocks and bottles, demanding that all Haitians leave El Penon.

The fear by the Dominicans came as a result of a Haitian who was diagnosed with the cholera epidemic in the country. Wilma Louwes who is Haitian was treated for cholera in a hospital in the Dominican Republic and released in good health. However, according to haitilibre.com, "He was denied access to the apartment he rented with his girlfriend for 3 years, apartment located at 46, Julia Pena street in San Martín sector of Higuey. "

Read more →