NewsWhore
09-06-2006, 06:40 PM
The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas is denouncing the fact that the Minister of Tourism is a leading participant in a tourism project that violates the law. The Coalition points to the case of Vistamare in Samana, that is already under construction without having presented the required environmental impact study, and for which an unprecedented exception by Presidential decree was obtained for the company to make use of the 60 meters of seafront. Vistamare is a 140-unit development with ocean views. According to a report in Hoy, the development will call for a RD$580 million investment. Properties are for sale for US$168,300 to US$388,080.
As reported in El Caribe, the Coalition has presented the case to the National Ethics Commission. Copies have also been sent to the government's anti-corruption department (DEPRECO), the Foundation of Institutionalism and Justice (FINJUS), Citizen Participation (PC), the Supreme Court of Justice, Greenpeace of Spain, Ecologists in Action, the National Competitiveness Council, the Ministry of Environment, Environment Attorney General's Office, and to the Inter-American Press Association.
Presidential Decree 688-05 November 2005 authorized the builders to "make use of the 60 meters of seafront located south of the Samana-Las Galeras highway, in Los Naranjos. Nevertheless, the same decree made it conditional for the hotel company to meet the Ministry of Tourism and Environment's requirements. The Coalition says that the project does not have permission from the Ministry of Environment to start construction. Deputy Environment Minister Zoila Gonzalez said that the company could be penalized for starting construction.
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez is listed first as the founder and "one of the principals of the project" on the Vistamare aparthotel website. The website highlights the fact that Jimenez is the current Dominican Minister of Tourism, in his second term after serving in the same post from 1996-2000. Other "principals" are Gevisa, described as a well-known development and real estate company in Santo Domingo. Gevisa is also the developer of Pueblo Bavaro in Punta Cana, another development linked to the Dominican Tourism Minister. Felix Antonio Jimenez is also listed as a "principal" and as the architectural project designer. He is described as president and founder of Turinter, one of the country's leading tour operators.
The Coalition is also protesting about the fact that Tourism Minister Jimenez handpicked Francois Fontes of the French company Argos to carry out the ground organization plan for Samana that categorized the property used for Vistamare. Argos and Fontes are the same people who bid for a free concession for the protected Bahia de las Aguilas land in Pedernales to develop eco-lodges.
The Coalition mentions that the Ministry signed a contract with Fonte last year for EUR270,000 to carry out the ground use plan for Samana.
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez's was not available for comment because he is abroad, according to his communications department.
http://www.samanavistamare.com/theteam.htm
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
As reported in El Caribe, the Coalition has presented the case to the National Ethics Commission. Copies have also been sent to the government's anti-corruption department (DEPRECO), the Foundation of Institutionalism and Justice (FINJUS), Citizen Participation (PC), the Supreme Court of Justice, Greenpeace of Spain, Ecologists in Action, the National Competitiveness Council, the Ministry of Environment, Environment Attorney General's Office, and to the Inter-American Press Association.
Presidential Decree 688-05 November 2005 authorized the builders to "make use of the 60 meters of seafront located south of the Samana-Las Galeras highway, in Los Naranjos. Nevertheless, the same decree made it conditional for the hotel company to meet the Ministry of Tourism and Environment's requirements. The Coalition says that the project does not have permission from the Ministry of Environment to start construction. Deputy Environment Minister Zoila Gonzalez said that the company could be penalized for starting construction.
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez is listed first as the founder and "one of the principals of the project" on the Vistamare aparthotel website. The website highlights the fact that Jimenez is the current Dominican Minister of Tourism, in his second term after serving in the same post from 1996-2000. Other "principals" are Gevisa, described as a well-known development and real estate company in Santo Domingo. Gevisa is also the developer of Pueblo Bavaro in Punta Cana, another development linked to the Dominican Tourism Minister. Felix Antonio Jimenez is also listed as a "principal" and as the architectural project designer. He is described as president and founder of Turinter, one of the country's leading tour operators.
The Coalition is also protesting about the fact that Tourism Minister Jimenez handpicked Francois Fontes of the French company Argos to carry out the ground organization plan for Samana that categorized the property used for Vistamare. Argos and Fontes are the same people who bid for a free concession for the protected Bahia de las Aguilas land in Pedernales to develop eco-lodges.
The Coalition mentions that the Ministry signed a contract with Fonte last year for EUR270,000 to carry out the ground use plan for Samana.
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez's was not available for comment because he is abroad, according to his communications department.
http://www.samanavistamare.com/theteam.htm
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)