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port-au-prince - Haiti Observer Blog
port-au-prince, Haiti Observer Blog. Read the following articles about port-au-prince
Port-Au-Prince, One of the Largest Cities in the World without a Sewage System
Port-au-Prince is about the size of Chicago. There are 987,000 people living in Port-Au-Prince and 2.6 million living in the 'metropolitan' area. But the city doesn't have a central sewage system. Furthermore, an estimated one in five Haitians doesn't have access to any kind of toilet.
In the fall of 2010, months after the devastating earthquake, when cholera first entered Haiti (first time over a century), most likely by the United Nations peacekeeping troops from Nepal, the disease became endemic-- more than a half-million people got sick and at least 7,050 died. The only way to prevent the cholera endemic is to build a network of pipes and waste treatment plants to prevent the infection of food and water supplies.
Port-Au-Prince, A City The Size Of Chicago With No Sewer System
Chicago and Port-au-Prince are almost equal in sizes, but that is where their similarity ends. Chicago built its own underground sewer system for both waste water and storm water back in the 1856. Port-au-Prince, one of the largest cities of million people, has no sewer system. It is noteworthy to mention that just 4 years ago, the country faced the worst epidemic of cholera in recent history; more than a half-million people have gotten sick and the disease took the lives of more than 8,231 Haitians. The cumulative sewage and garbage of over 3 million people flows through open ditch. Every night, few 'bayakou' workers remove the cesspools that collect deep bogs of human waste from man-sized holes (fifty-cubic-metre) under Haiti's backyard latrines and dumped them into the city canals. During the rain, these wastes spill over the city environment before going to the sea. People living seaside, use over-the-sea hanging toilets and during emergency, they use some sort of plastic bag and throw the dirt out on the streets.
Haitian Government construction plan of Administrative city of Port-au-Prince
Opposition Challenges Government of Haiti that Port-au-Prince Reconstruction not a Public Utility Project
On June 11, 2014 the government of Haiti (GOH), during the Council of Government's 33rd Session, presented construction plans of the Administrative city of Port-au-Prince drafted for Port-au-Prince's reconstruction, where government buildings are located, along with judiciary and cultural institutions. The plan also includes construction of four-lane corridors bounded by sidewalks, and public plazas. The GOH also reported on the compensation program put in place to reimburse property owners, or tenants displaced by the large-scale project.
The Unit for Housing Construction and Public Buildings Executive Director, engineer Harry Adam, refuted allegations of a majority of opposition party leaders that claim the GOH is attempting to appropriate land illegally. Adam responded, claiming "the process is in strict compliance with the law of 1979 on the forced expropriation . . ."
Haitian government taking possession of downtown Port-au-Prince, public utility
The government of Haiti has been striving hard to take possession of the sites and spaces in downtown Port-au-Prince which had been declared as public utility in an effort to establish an administrative city to be constructed in the devastated capital in the downtown area. However, this has been met with criticism and opposition from different quarters, especially the owners of these utilities.
According to Michel Présumé, who is the Secretary of State for Planning, the government has taken proper measures to make sure that the interests of all stakeholders, including the owners, have been taken into consideration. He added that the compensation money has been set aside for the process. Those who will comply with the law and provide necessary documentation will be compensated.
Haitian Government might just use "Public Utility" to steal property
Since last Sunday, the Haitian Government has been busy with its demolition crew in the streets of Port-au-prince. A large area of the Capital has been declared of "public utility". In another way, the Haitian government will take possession of your land and building if it was located in the designated area and you will be compensated based on a rate set by the government itself.
According to a plan reveloped immediately after the 2010 earthquake, the Haitian government would transform a specific area in downtown Port-au-Prince into a beautiful and attractive location. It is expected to become a one stop shop or in this one location, the people will be able to receive their government services and participate in some recreational activities, such as going to a movies or restaurant. The government is even looking at major Hotels to come and build in the area. There will be many stores for the shopping public as well.
The future of Port-au-Prince in Video
What you are looking at in this animated video is the actual plan for the Haitian capital, Port-au-prince. This is actually what the city is supposed to look like after all is said and done.
The plan is to have all the major administrative offices in one location. In addition, you will see in the plan the rehabilitation of some major landmarks such as theaters, LYcees, etc.
Now, here are some of the most important questions: When will all these take place? will this remain only a dream and that there is no reality in any of that? Will I see the new Port-au-Prince in my life time?
Breaking News !!! - Major fire close to Marche du Port in Port-au-Prince
It has been report of a major fire that is currently burning near Port-au-Prince harbor. The damage so far has been considerable. According to several radio stations in the Haitian capital, several cars have already been consumed by the fire, including merchandises. The report also indicated that there are lost of lives due to the fire; however, they are unable to count the number of fatalities.
As usually, the report indicated that local fire Department was very late in responding to this fire. That also contributed to the gravity of the situation
Frank Romain, former mayor of Port-au-Prince
The declaration of intent issued by Port-au-Prince's former mayor, Frank Romain, in a recent interview with HPN, harkens back to the impassioned speeches and noble intents of many of our past revolutionaries of victories great and small. The ex-military man has put himself at the forefront of a campaign for the rebuilding of the country, saying he is prepared to 'do it gracefully' and can make himself and his skills available for the good of Haiti.
Frank Romain has called for people to work together in an effort to revitalize the struggling nation, a concept closely linked to an effort to allow exiled Haitian citizens, former leaders in particular, to return to their country without fear. His crusade stems from his reported abhorrence of the foreign military occupation of Haiti. He further comments on the guilt he feels when he sees the foreigners and witnesses Haiti's continued lack of the sovereignty, a state he wished to have returned during his political tenure.
Haitian government to build motorways over Carrefour and Delmas
It seems that the Haitian government has a comprehensive plan to alleviate traffic problem in the Haitian Capital of Port-au-Prince. According to information retrieved from Le Nouvelliste, a major newspaper in the country, the Department of Public Works is planning to build major infrastructure in Port-au-Prince.
In an effort to eliminate bottlenecks and traffic jam in specific points such as Carrefour and Delmas, the Department of Public Works will build motorways in these municipalities.
According to the same source, funding has already been allocated for the project with work expected to start soon.
Haitian historian Georges Corvington is dead
Described by his life-long friend Georges Michel as '...the greatest living Haitian historian', The passing of Georges Corvington, with whom Michel not only shared a name, but a profession, is truly a sad point in history.
Georges Corvington, Jr died at home in the capital while asleep in bed, in his much beloved Port-au-Prince. His death was due to heart failure, an ailment which plagued the 88 year old and had caused a recent hospital stay for weeks prior to his death on the 3rd of April, 2013.
Corvington leaves behind a great literary, historical opus on the city he was born in, spent his life in and later died in, in the eight-volume history called Port-au-Prince au Cours des Ans (Port-au-Prince through the Ages). Published for over twenty years past its original publication date in 1970, the work detailed the Haitian capital's social and political history, beginning in 1749 when the French colonial rule began and culminating in 1956 with the former President Paul Magloire's exit.
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