El Siglo reports that the construction of a mega tourism port and residential and tourism development on the Malecón of Samana has been paralyzed. The newspaper reports that Samana residents are complaining of the abandon in which the builders have left the area. The ambitious project had been begun in May with the attendance of President Leonel Fernández. It calls for an investment of RD$4,000 million. The project met with opposition of environmentalists when the Instituto Nacional de Protección Ambiental (INPRA) alerted that the displacement of mud to prepare for the port construction was probably to blame for the death of thousands of fish in the bay area. The government environmental organization said that the builders of the project did not carry out the required environmental impact study prior to starting the construction. Promoters of the project are Bancalari, Delgado y Asociados. El Siglo says that delays in getting government clearance with the presentation of adequate studies could be behind the suspension of the construction.
