Billions for waterworks

[NewsWhore]

The government announced last night that it will invest RD$1.6 billion to rebuild the irrigation, drainage and aqueduct systems damaged or destroyed by the floods caused by Tropical Storm Noel. These major installations are dams, pumps, the largest irrigation canals, and local aqueducts. The directors of the National Institute for Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), Hector Rodriguez Pimentel together with the head of the National Institute for Water and Sewers (INAPA) Frank Rodriguez and the director of the Santo Domingo Aqueduct (CAASD) Mariano German, talked to reporters at the Presidential Palace. INAPA is to receive RD$350 million. Frank Rodriguez said that even before the government disbursement, INAPA engineers had restored dozens of local water systems. The most serious damage occurred in Ocoa and Peravia provinces where 15 aqueducts were destroyed or seriously damaged. The INDRHI boss told reporters from Listin Diario that 95% of the irrigation canals in the southeast, south and northeast had been damaged, and he confirmed the figure of RD$963 million needed to repair the damage. The head of the Santo Domingo Waterworks said that the government had earmarked RD$300 million for repairs to the system that collapsed on 29 October, and has only been 70% restored.

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