Landfill row harms investment climate, contractor warns

Santo Domingo.- The heads of Lajun Corp. on Tuesday warned that its conflict with the Santo Domingo North City Council over control of the landfill at Duquesa harms Dominican Republic’s reputation as an investment destination.

The company executives, who deny the City Council’s claims of breach of contract, said Santo Domingo North has even issued them performance certifications and the proper compliance with the agreement.

"It’s a sad moment for the Dominican Republic, where the reputation of Dominicans and the reputation as a destination for foreign investment is affected by a single person," said Michael Lee Chin, one of the shareholders.

In a press conference at the Hotel Barceló, Lee was accompanied by Luis Jose Asilis, of the company which has managed the landfill for the last few years, who said Lajun Corp. holds all administrative rights to the site as well as the owner of the land where it operates.

The Mayor

But Santo Domingo North mayor Francisco Fernández announced that the landfill will become a solid waste industry in 2014, with a call for tenders to contract a company to manage it.