Controversy continues over the construction of the Northwest Aqueduct. All parties favor the construction of the aqueduct that would benefit around 800,000 people in the provinces of Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, Monte Cristi, Valverde and Dajabón. But there are differences over the government’s not holding a tender when choosing the contractors, the technical aspects of the project and over the financing and the restrictions that come with the financing. The builders and the government have secured financing from Brazil, for US$161 million, supposedly sufficient for the construction of the aqueduct. The financing needs congressional approval. Those against the project say that it requires that 80% of the construction materials, including pipes, be imported from Brazil, despite these being available here at better quality and lower cost. Opposing sectors criticize that the water would have to be pumped, instead of using an alternate method where waters would flow by gravity. The Fernández administration assigned the construction of the aqueduct to Consorcio Constructora Andrade Gutiérrez, S.A., and Hidráulica Agrícola, C. por A., and did not call a tender. The Senate has also yet to approve the Brazilian funding for US$23 million for the purchase of 10 from Helibras and Helicopteros de Brasil. The US Embassy complained on behalf of Bell Helicopters that there was a lack of transparency on behalf of the Dominican government and requested that the DR buyers allow US companies to bid in equal conditions as offered the Brazilians. Earlier, the government purchased buses for the OMSA bus transport system from Brazil. The Senate takes a recess as of Thursday, 13 January. Congress does not meet again until 27 February. Monte Cristi Senator Bernardo Alemán Rodríguez supports the construction of the aqueduct, but understands that the government solution is affected by serious technical problems that if not corrected the project instead of resolving a problem will be creating one. PRD presidential candidate Hipólito Mejía has questioned the rush. He promises, though, that he will build the aqueduct, if elected President, with or without the Brazilian financing.
