Celso Marranzini and Vicente Bengoa
Santo Domingo.–The Dominican government is reneging on an agreement to pay private generators around US$200 million owed for energy, as agreed with the World Bank (WB).
A reliable source in the industry revealed today that despite the pledge by State-owned power companies (CDEEE) director Celso Marranzini that the payment would materialize by yearend, Treasure minister Vicente Bengoa is blocking the disbursement.
"This situation is occurring despite the fact that we are generating at full capacity and preventing the blackouts during the holidays," the source added.
In a related development the State-owned hydreoelectrics (EGEHID) today listed the companies which owe for their turbine power: Distribuidora de Electricidad del Este (EDEESTE), RD$774,010,932; Distribuidora de Electricidad del Norte (EDENORTE), RD$1,151.9 million; Distribuidora de Electricidad del Sur (EDESUR), RD$249.7 million; and Corporacion Dominicana de Empresas Electricas Estatales (CDEEE), RD$1,551.9 million, among others.
Squashed project resurfaces
In another unexpected development, EGEHID listed among its 2010 goals the construction of the ambitious hydroelectric project Manabao-Bejucal-Tavera, which when inicially announced during the Hipolito Mejia presidency (2000 - 2004) caused the entire Jarabacoa town to stage a strike for two days to oppose it.
The project would have diverted the North Yaque river away from Jarabacoa.
Written by: molloy, 28 Dec 2009 12:18 PM
From: United States
I stand corrected, they DID not go thru with it. I guess it's back to the stone age for DR. Just love how the gov't continues to sh!t on the people who pay their electricity in DR.
Sounds like a ploy to keep the lights on for the holidays but when the holidays are over so is the light. smh.
From: United States
I told everyone this would happen.
The soverign state of the Dominican Republic is bankrupt..
Thats it, its simple and over. They diverted the money and now the money is gone.
Credit rating is the worst.BBB
Written by: juanb, 28 Dec 2009 12:24 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Crooks, thieves, liars. Our government in action.
From: United States
Let the Columbians do the work of cleaning up the administration.
Its efficient and inexpensive. No lengthy trials just a swift justice.
From: United States
The DR government reneg on a loan? From the Wolrd Bank....no way, I'm absolutley stunned that a Dominican would not repay a loan, especially after promising.
Written by: generoso, 28 Dec 2009 1:44 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
Maybe political posturing and some cheap behind-the-scenes backstabbing at Celso's work by the
most inept minister Vincente Bengoa, more used to colmado-style politicking and cronyism.
Written by: Juango, 28 Dec 2009 2:31 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
If AES Dominicana has a set of stones, they would double check and confirm with the Gov that the fund will NOT be deposited, then give a public statement via all media, that AES will SHUT down all their plants within 24 hours period. After promised funds are deposited in said AES Dom/DPP account, it will take X Hours to re-establish normal power service to the grid. By the way, I just sold all my shares of AES this morning. Nat Gas production & transmission pipeline companies is where I will be for now.
Written by: Gringo_1, 28 Dec 2009 2:40 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Maimon (Bonao)
I say shut down and turn off the lights for good!
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I think that we need to have more information about this before making the normal over the top comments
Firstly ,is the report correct and did the government commit to the World Bank to pay the private generators this money and was the deadline the year end and secondly is the treasury minister blocking the payment and if so until when and for what reason.
It would be very unwise to go against the commitments given to the world bank in view of the fact that only a part of the IMF/World Bank loans have been made .
I tend to think there may be more in this than is written here
Written by: juanb, 28 Dec 2009 2:49 PM
From: Dominican Republic
We borrowed the money promising to use it to pay the electricity suppliers, however, when it came time to pay, the money had been used for something else.
Written by: Gringo_1, 28 Dec 2009 2:51 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Maimon (Bonao)
JuanB ==== You are correct in your assessment.
From: United States
Same old b*shit... I had hopes, but its an endless problem.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
The president of the power company AES Dominicana yesterday hailed the CEO of the State-owned power companies (CDEEE) announcement that it will pay the nearly US$200 million owed to the generators before December 31
Marco de la Rosa said with Celso Marranzini’s pledge Dominicans can expect a more stable energy supply during the holidays and for the beginning of next year.
“The payment is an important step forward in reaching economic stability in the energy sector, the energy users will benefit
Marranzini’s announcement came after a meeting yesterday between president Leonel Fernandez with representatives of the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank as well as the country’s electrical sector, where the government pledged the payment of the lingering
The CDEEE chief said Fernandez and the representatives of the multilateral credit entities analyzed the proposal agreed to in August, which seeks a solution to the decades-long electrical problem.
Written by: BASTA, 28 Dec 2009 4:53 PM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
I just put my deposit on my ticket to Somalia! BYe BYE bye bYe see yeah
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I find this remark so offensive that I have asked the moderator to delete it and I will not respond to you again ,,you may care to think about whether my family died in the camps before you mouth off ,,it is about time you stopped the personal abuse and concentrated on issues
Written by: josean, 28 Dec 2009 6:07 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Censorship is the lowest form of HUMAN endeavor second only to pedophilia!
It is usual practiced by Cowards or Liars and in your case it is probably both!
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Good manners do not require censorship .
From: United States, words of wisdom from the nutcracker
pay your debts you bum ,
Written by: zooma, 28 Dec 2009 8:43 PM
From: United States
There go the international credit and bond ratings for the country, a downward spiral. Expect tougher loan qualifications and fees for the country. ......... and then more and longer blackouts.
The rich and powerful will survive, the working class and poor will suffer.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Move the goal posts is how these losers play the game
From: United States
Dominicans have NO integrity.
They are shameless liars, transparent only about their corruption and proud of it.
Vicente Bengoa, should be jailed.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Has there been more developments in this story ?? I have not seen it written elsewhere
From: United States, words of wisdom from the nutcracker
I think the only guy who looks like is trying to do the right thing is celso marranzini , since he took office he has fired all the corrupted and clean housed. he is slowly rebuilding the mess that was left for him. he looks like a like guy that goes by the book I think theres hope with this man running things.
From: United States
Celso Marranzini should do what ANY CEO of a private industry should do.
1) Fire all the unnecessary personnel, which in this country must be 80%.
2) Supply the amount of electricity that is paid for, which in this country must be 20%
Make sure the public knows who to lynch.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
gmiller261 ..there have been several press releases saying he has already doing exactly that .
Written by: Escott, 29 Dec 2009 4:05 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera and Sosua a 2 days a month for payday
Double post sorry
Written by: Escott, 29 Dec 2009 4:05 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Cabrera and Sosua a 2 days a month for payday
Did I read this correctly? They have given 24hour power for the holidays?
If that is what I read they are a bunch of fluckin liars. I haven't had more than 12 huurs of power for the last month here in Cabrera. What a ton of crap!!
From: United States
Ricardolito, Now that they are not getting paid, they need to make more cuts.
And make sure they know where Vicente Bengoa lives.
This isn't even politics; it is an ill-educated eleven year old thug.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Escott ..it will help by paying your bills ..
Written by: abc200, 30 Dec 2009 12:01 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Need to nationalize.
UK did it during its development after WW2. France also.
Electricity is a luxury. Why pay foreign companies whose only interest is to sell more power when the national interest is to reduce power consumption? Stupid backward logic. Barges spewing out pollution in SD - why? Control import - like Vietnam - of power hungry appliances.
S.
From: United States
Sounds like Uncle Vinny is trying to move the funds to his personal bank account and hasn't found a way yet. Of course the payment is held up until the money has been moved to his personal account so he claim it was spent on something else.
What does it matter if he gets caught he just loses his job. He doesn't need his job anymore with that kind of money.
Written by: abc200, 1 Jan 2010 12:33 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Exaclty Ver - DR has lots of sun - does not need much electricity - why pay these foreign crooks - far better in someones Swiss bank account than in the coffers of ths expliotative pigs . Sometime the benfactor will invest the money to build a beautiful eco-resort to attract the discerning international traveller!
S.
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
Sounds like a ploy to keep the lights on for the holidays but when the holidays are over so is the light. smh.
The soverign state of the Dominican Republic is bankrupt..
Thats it, its simple and over. They diverted the money and now the money is gone.
Credit rating is the worst.BBB
Its efficient and inexpensive. No lengthy trials just a swift justice.
most inept minister Vincente Bengoa, more used to colmado-style politicking and cronyism.
Firstly ,is the report correct and did the government commit to the World Bank to pay the private generators this money and was the deadline the year end and secondly is the treasury minister blocking the payment and if so until when and for what reason.
It would be very unwise to go against the commitments given to the world bank in view of the fact that only a part of the IMF/World Bank loans have been made .
I tend to think there may be more in this than is written here
Marco de la Rosa said with Celso Marranzini’s pledge Dominicans can expect a more stable energy supply during the holidays and for the beginning of next year.
“The payment is an important step forward in reaching economic stability in the energy sector, the energy users will benefit
Marranzini’s announcement came after a meeting yesterday between president Leonel Fernandez with representatives of the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank as well as the country’s electrical sector, where the government pledged the payment of the lingering
The CDEEE chief said Fernandez and the representatives of the multilateral credit entities analyzed the proposal agreed to in August, which seeks a solution to the decades-long electrical problem.
It is usual practiced by Cowards or Liars and in your case it is probably both!
The rich and powerful will survive, the working class and poor will suffer.
Dominicans have NO integrity.
They are shameless liars, transparent only about their corruption and proud of it.
Vicente Bengoa, should be jailed.
1) Fire all the unnecessary personnel, which in this country must be 80%.
2) Supply the amount of electricity that is paid for, which in this country must be 20%
Make sure the public knows who to lynch.
If that is what I read they are a bunch of fluckin liars. I haven't had more than 12 huurs of power for the last month here in Cabrera. What a ton of crap!!
And make sure they know where Vicente Bengoa lives.
This isn't even politics; it is an ill-educated eleven year old thug.
UK did it during its development after WW2. France also.
Electricity is a luxury. Why pay foreign companies whose only interest is to sell more power when the national interest is to reduce power consumption? Stupid backward logic. Barges spewing out pollution in SD - why? Control import - like Vietnam - of power hungry appliances.
S.
What does it matter if he gets caught he just loses his job. He doesn't need his job anymore with that kind of money.
S.