Amid tensions, Haitian, Dominican officials cooperate on aqueducts

Dajabón (Dominican Republic).- While tensions again flared Thursday at the Dominican-Haiti border, in Santo Domingo aqueduct officials from both nations work to improve Port-au-Prince’s water supply system.

Haitian workers and students staged a protest in Ouanaminthe just 600 meters from Dajabón (northwest) after Dominican Immigration agents halted their entry of from the neighboring country.

Immigration inspectors assigned to the busiest border crossing stopped Haitians who work and study in Dominican Republic when they failed to present the required documents.

The protesters placed barricades and hurled debris on the road, which halted traffic between the two cities.

Aqueducts

Dominican Republic will help Haiti improve its aqueducts at a meeting by sharing its knowledge with that nation’s water and sanitation agency (DINEPA).

Santo Domingo Water Utility (CAASD) director Alejandro Montas said Haiti’s counterpart requested a meeting aimed obtaining information to modernize Port-au-Prince’s water supply and sewage treatment systems.

Haitian delegation leader Michael Merisier said the meeting served to share experiences to improve his country’s piped water supply.