No control at Dominican Republic secluded port: Senators

Pedernales, Dominican Republic.- The Senate Commission which probes the alleged lack of security and other irregularities at Cabo Rojo Port (southwest) confirmed Thursday that law enforcement agencies have no control over the complex’s maritime or docking facilities.
They recommends the deployment of all required military, maritime, antinarcotics and Port Authority agents within premises of the Colombian cement maker, Cementos Andinos Dominicanos.
Senate Commission chair Carlos Castillo met with representatives of the cement company, and with the Dominican-Venezuelan bauxite exporter and miner, Dovemco.
He said after a tour of Cabo Rojo’s facilities, they’ll render a report to the Senate on the vulnerability of the area near Pedernales, to determine what needs to be done.
The lawmaker said the senators’ only interest is to make sure the port counts with permanent vigilance by the country’s various security agencies and noted alleged contract violations by the cement-maker regarding pledged investments yet to materialize.
The company said however that it has built a ramp for barges, extended and improved the pier, and retaining walls destroyed by a storm, among other structures.