2007 – Page 41

The Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL) wants to implement a half billion-peso program to provide telecommunications services, including Internet, WIFI and telephone connections to one thousand communities in 16 provinces. Indotel head Jose Rafael Vargas told reporters from Hoy that the first phase of the program would cover half of the communities. According to Vargas …

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The Specialized Frontier Security Corps is facing more criticisms after only a few weeks since it was first deployed. Now, Father Regino Martinez and the Dajabon Defense and Development Committee have revealed that they possess videos showing many of the offenses that the mayor and other local officials have been criticizing. They say that the …

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After eight years of research, the Dominican Republic has finally developed two new strains of pigeon peas and beans whose nutritional values are 15% to 20% superior to current varieties. Commercial harvest began this year in San Juan de la Maguana. The new variety of red beans is now available in the local markets and …

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The National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) is not happy with the way the government has gone about with its austerity programs. In fact, according to the association, the government is spending more now than it was when it passed the Law of Austerity 497-06. ANJE president Joel Santos told Hoy reporter Evaristo Rubens that …

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Once again, the PLD government has reversed its position on the extraction of sand and gravel from the nation’s riverbeds. The first time was back in 2000 when the President himself, Leonel Fernandez, prohibited such extractions from the Nizao, Yubazo and Nigua rivers. However, the decree did not last long. Now, faced with the need …

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Despite orders to the contrary, the public is still consuming bread laced with potassium bromate, according to investigative journalist Nuria Piera. Nearly three weeks ago the Ministry of Public Health ordered a reduction in the quantity of potassium bromate used in the bread-making process. According to the report by Nuria Piera, the Chemistry Laboratory at …

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Last week Hoy newspaper reported that too many legislators are receiving their wages and benefits and not bothering to attend the sessions. Hoy says that of 178 deputies, only 17 took part in the seven sessions the Chamber of Deputies held in October, including one lecture delivered by US effectiveness expert Stephen Covey. The newspaper …

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The Shell Company is asking for US$183 million for its 50% stake in the Dominican refinery (Refidomsa), and the government wants to collect its money from the asking price. Shell received a US$183 million offer from the Coastal Group, and wants the government to meet that offer. The Minister of the Treasury, Vicente Bengoa, told …

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The first of an estimated total of 70,000 cruise ship passengers disembarked from the good ship Braemar in Santo Domingo on Friday, marking the beginning of the cruise liner season. Spokespersons for the Sans Souci Tourist Group expressed confidence that this would be the best tourist season yet. A total of 1,800 passengers arrived to …

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Professionals, technicians and specialized workers will be able to obtain work permits for jobs in the European Union once the Economic Partnership Agreement goes into effect, according to Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso. This agreement is currently under discussion in Europe and should go into effect by the middle of next year. The advantages of …

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