Barahona, Dominican Republic.- The Tourism Ministry and the Barahona Strategic Alliance oppose the construction of a new shipyard in the city’s port, to be used for boat and hull repairs.
The company which plans to build the facility reportedly has the approval of the Dominican Port Authority.
South Region Tourism vice minister Jose Santana said the planned shipyard would be built on a section of the wharf previously used as a floating gypsum processing plant, closed after a controversy regarding damages to the environment and marine life. “The installation of all this surprises us (the Tourism Ministry and the Strategic Alliance), because it’s a part of development, affects tourism and current plans.”
Santana said the shipyard would be built just a few meters from the beaches Casita Blanca and El Cayo, visited by many people throughout the year.
The official said Tourism works jointly with the Strategic Alliance to develop the new South Region Urban Center, “which is exactly in front of where they want to install this shipyard.”
