SANTO DOMINGO.- The project to build a cement plant near the Los Haitises National Park isn’t viable, said the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), but made it clear that the Dominican Government has the last word.

The planned project, near the community of Gonzalo (northwest), failed to meet the technical and scientific criteria and all principles of the legal environmental framework weren’t suitably observed, said in their report the United Nations experts who evaluated the process to issue the environmental license.

After the evaluation they determined that the construction of the cement plant would affect the environment and create a high degree of uncertainty on the region’s geologic stability, landscape and surface and subsoil water sources in the Los Haitises’ karst zone.

The UNDP’s evaluation of the cement plant project company Consorcio Minero Dominicano stems from the Government’s request, after the surprisingly strong opposition from environmentalists and civil society groups to the announced work.

The report also recommends bolstering the institutional and the environmental sustainability, to improve the quality of life of present and future generations.

Reactions

The Santo Domingo State University UASD Environmental Commission and representatives of popular organizations reacted quickly, hailing the evaluation, while immediately demanding the return of the lands they say were bought form the farmers at a “paltry” price.

In that regard United Nations the System resident coordinator Valerie Julliand also praised the interest shown by citizens by exerting their right and duty to monitor any process which affects the collective interest. She said she’s convinced that process was a fundamental step which strengthens Dominican Republic’s democracy.