Minister of Tourism Ramon Alfredo Bordas opposes the installation of a fuel terminal in Las Maras, Luperón, West of Puerto Plata. The project promoted by the Santiago-based Grupo de Energía Global seeks to set up the US$25 million terminal to supply North Coast energy needs. Promoters say that the terminal is 99.9% environmentally-safe, but Minister of Tourism Bordas says that catastrophes happen and one would be disastrous for the Luperón resort area, where 1,200 hotel rooms are located. Minister Bordas says that his colleague Minister of Environment Frank Moya Pons has not given the project the needed green light. Minister of Industry & Commerce Angel Lockward authorized the permit to build the terminal. Bordas said he would meet with Lockward on the matter upon the later’s return from a trip abroad.
