Golf de la Gonave - Haiti Observer Blog

According to Arnel Belizaire who was a guest in the popular Radio Show Ranmase, a Decree has been issued by the Martelly government to sell the island of La Gonave. La Gonave is located in the west-northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonâve and considered to be one of the largest islands in Haiti. According to Arnel Belizaire on Ranmase, the plan is for the island to be transformed into an international financial island with three official languages: English, French and Creole. The only thing pending before the new plan for La Gonave is implemented is its ratification by both chambers.

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Gonâve Island lies on the Caribbean Sea, in the Gulf of Gonâve, to the west and northwest of Port-au-Prince. It is in the La Gonâve Arrondissement, part of Ouest Department. Because the island's topography is composed mainly of limestone, it lacks sufficient vegetation, and low levels of annual rainfall bring on water shortages. La Gonâve Arrondissement is comprised of two districts, Anse-à-Galets and Pointe-à-Raquette. It has a large population of 80,000 inhabitants.

Gonâve's biggest challenge is the scarceness of its water supply. In 2005, a crisis arose when the island experienced a severe drought, bringing many aid agencies to its rescue, sealing springs and erecting rainwater tanks. They have also installed an island-wide water-transport system and dug wells to deliver water to the drought-stricken islanders. A consortium of government, non-government and non-profit organizations, churches, and other aid organizations have established the Water Platform. This body coordinates the efforts of all agencies working on Gonâve to further their work. Within two years of the drought crisis, 25 wells had been dug and more were planned.

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