Samaná’s new entrance faces construction delays
Samaná.- Juan Bancalari, president of the Association of Hotels and Tourist Companies of Samaná (AHETSA), has urged authorities to swiftly complete construction at the entrance to Samaná, citing ongoing delays that adversely impact tourism in the province.
Expressing concern over the prolonged unfinished state of the entrance, Bancalari emphasized the critical need for timely completion to support tourism infrastructure. While acknowledging progress on the boardwalk in Santa Bárbara de Samaná, he underscored that the primary focus remains on the remodeling of the municipality’s entrance.
The construction, overseen by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), spans 3.3 kilometers from El Limón district to the main municipality of Samaná province. This project, part of a broader initiative detailed by President Luis Abinader during the Government’s accountability session in February 2024, highlights ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, including the reconstruction of the Samaná-La Galera Highway.
The biggest reason for construction delays in the country is MONEY. It is a chronic habit of needed money failing to leave the treasury in time to pay for works in progress. Money is needed for materials, services, worker pay, and overhead costs. An example is the fire station construction in Santiago. It was started over14 years ago, stalled, and sits unfinished. Over RD$ 60 million is needed to restart and complete it.
AHETSA will have to continue to push the authorites… hard.