Independence Day

I was impressed by the Presidents 'state of the nation' speech today.

It was positive and refeshing despite the dire circumstances faced.

Not surprising it was questioned in parts by the opposition. How do you pay for such grandoise schemes in a time like this?

Well... government waste and corruption has drained the coffers for many years and perhaps those opposition leaders didnt think of that as a good starting point.

So much has been wasted on bad government agreements... eg the Samana toll road.

I couldn't listen to it so will go read it. The small amount I have heard reported was positive.

CBC Canada is reporting this morning that the president of the D.R. announced the beginning of construction of a 400 km wall on the border with Haiti

Fence......

Luis Abinader will build dividing fence between Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Will use "physical and technological means" to control illegalities

“In the second half of this year 2021 we will begin to build on the dividing line between both countries: the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the new measures to reinforce security, which will combine physical and technological means, and will include a double perimeter fence in the more conflictive sections and a simple one in the rest, in addition to motion sensors, facial recognition cameras, radars and infrared ray systems ”, he said today in his message of accountability to the Dominican Congress.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/luis-abinader-construira-verja-divisoria-entre-haiti-y-republica-dominicana-NI24680481?utm_source=recomendadas&utm_medium=bloque-home&utm_campaign=blueconic

Dominican Republic announces plans for Haiti border fence

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-56227999

The president of the Dominican Republic has announced plans to build a fence along its border with Haiti, which extends for about 380km (236 miles).

Luis Abinader said the barrier would help curb illegal immigration, drugs and the flow of stolen vehicles between the two countries, which share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Mr Abinader said work on the barrier would start later this year.

Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere.

Relations between the two neighbours have been historically difficult.

"In a period of two years, we want to put an end to the serious problems of illegal immigration, drug trafficking and the movement of stolen vehicles," Mr Abinader said in an address to Congress.

The cost of the project has not been disclosed.

Mr Abinader said the barrier in some "conflictive" sections would include a double-fence along with motion sensors, infrared systems and facial recognition cameras.

The Dominican Republic, which has a population of about 11 million, has already constructed some stretches of fencing along the border.

It is estimated that about 500,000 Haitian migrants are living in the country - many of them there illegally. In January, the government agreed to help Haiti provide identity papers to its citizens living in Dominican territory.

And that is a gross under estimation of the number of  Haitians living here. 

This is a serious economic issue for a  nation where so many live in poverty, where so many have inadequate health care, where so many  have inadequate  education. 

The DR cannot fix the haitian problem.  They cannot afford to keep doing what they have been doing for decades.  The solution needs to be much more global. The DR needs to be a part of the solution but not the entire solution.