The Medina administration is proud of having rid the Ozama and Isabela rivers in Santo Domingo of carcasses of ships. The old ships that were being dismantled in the river basin were to be exported as scrap metal. However, the dismantling of the vessels was causing contamination of the environment. The Presidency reported the joint effort of the Ministry of Environment, Dominican Armada (Navy), and the Port Authority was successful in halting the operation.
On Monday, 31 July 2017, at the Sans Souci Naval Officials Club, the government marked the occasion of the removal of the last ship, the Precon Express I, under the Zanzibar flag that had been located at the Seaboard dock. The event was hosted by Vice Admiral Miguel Peña Acosta.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Environment Francisco Domínguez Brito highlighted the importance of the removal of the boats to restore the environmental integrity of the river. He called the effort an environmental revolution for Greater Santo Domingo where the East and West are united by the rivers. He said the goal is that in 10 years, people and companies have become aware of the correct management of residual waters.
Also speaking at the event was Victor Gómez Casanova, director of the Dominican Port Authority. He said with commitment and political will, 23 boats were removed in seven months.
During the event, the individuals who participated in the boat removal operation were recognized. These were Navy captains Manuel Elías Rodríguez, Marcos Montás Lluberes and José David Rojas, together with Army colonel Julio César Rodríguez Burgos.
The effort began when the Ministry of Environment issued Resolution 13-2016 that banned the breaking up of boats on the Ozama and Isabela. In the declaration, the Ministry said it was of national interest and national priority to rehabilitate, rescue, preserve and achieve sustainable use of the river basin as ordered in Decree 260-14 by President Danilo Medina. The Ministry is now focused on removing industrial pollution and human settlements that likewise contaminate the important waterway.
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Presidencia
1 August 2017
