San José de Ocoa. – The Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Palizaand the executive director of National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), Olmedo Caba Romanoled this Sunday the inauguration of the works of adaptation of the Nizao River and construction of gabion walls in the municipality of Rancho Arribaprovince San José de Ocoawith an investment amounting to RD$219,978,471.49which will directly benefit hundreds of families and agricultural producers.
The works are part of the national plan to strengthen hydraulic infrastructure that the president promotes Luis Abinaderaimed at protecting communities and productive areas vulnerable to flooding, strengthening the national water security and preserve the natural resources.
During the event, Minister Paliza highlighted the Government’s commitment to sustainable water managementthe risk mitigation and the strengthening agricultural production in inland communities.
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“This intervention on the Nizao River is an effort by the Dominican Government to give certainty, tranquility and development to our people. May this delivery be a reason for rejoicing and celebration for the entire community of Rancho Arriba,” said Paliza.
For his part, the director of INDRHI, Olmedo Caba Romanohighlighted the importance of the work as part of the comprehensive development policy promoted by the Government.
“With works like this we reaffirm our duty to the development of communities, investing in solutions that protect lives, strengthen agricultural production and promote the sustainable management of our natural resources,” he said.
Technical details of the work
The project, executed by INDRHIcovered 2.6 kilometers of the Nizao River bedwith works that included the repair and construction of 1.5 kilometers of gabion wallsthe mat installationand the extraction, shaping and watering of material to improve ground stability.
The intervention offers greater protection to communities and agricultural areas that cover more than 800,000 square meters of greenhouses and cultivated land avocado, coffee, chili, cucumber, tomato and flowersbenefiting the sectors Los Quemados, El Cementerio, Montenegro, La Estrechura and Banilejo.
Additionally, it included the intervention of the Yayán canyonwhere the wall on its left bank was covered, the channel was adapted and a box culvertimproving vehicular traffic and internal connectivity in the area.
State investment and local support
According to the Government, the public investment in San José de Ocoa exceeds the RD$2,000 million in infrastructure, health and other strategic areas for provincial development.
Participating in the ceremony were Vice Minister of Social Development, Alexis Jiménez; he Vice Minister of Agricultural Production of the Ministry of Agriculture, Eulalio Ramírez; he Senator Aneudy Ortiz; the deputy Elida Soto; he Mayor of Rancho Arriba, Alcedo De los Santosas well as local authorities and community representatives.
