Odebrecht a great opportunity for a stronger Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Herrera and Santo Domingo Province Industries Association (AEIH) president Antonio Taveras on Monday said the indictments in the Odebrecht case is a great opportunity for Dominican Republic’s institutions to come out stronger.

He said to achieve that objective, it’s imperative that the case files have strong and irrefutable evidence and the trials carried out with due process.

The business leader said in that way the courts must impose the full weight of the law on those who took Odebrecht’s admitted bribes to obtain public works and approval of loans for the construction company to build infrastructure.

He said for the process to have credibility and respect it needs to include “absolutely all those that have had to do with the corrupt operation of Odebrecht in the country, regardless of the prestige, political influence or hierarchy.”

“Citizens and all sectors committed to the development of the Dominican Republic should be kept in mind to demand zero impunity and the application of consequences in this scandalous case of corruption,” the business leader said.

Taveras demanded signals and a willingness to strike a blow against corruption, a social crime that undermines development, confidence, drives away investments and blocks opportunities to improve the quality of life of citizens, as funds are diverted that can serve education, health, safety, sanitation, housing and food.

“Our business sector understands that the country needs to be strengthened in this process, and the only way is to apply the weight of the law to all who are guilty of corruption.”