2024News

Opposition demands transparency in Aerodom deal spending

The opposition has escalated its calls for the government to provide a detailed accounting of the funds obtained from the renegotiated Aerodom contract for the Las Americas International Airport concession. Aerodom operates the airports in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Samana and Barahona.

Last November, the government announced the Las Americas renegotiation of the Aerodom concession agreement, promising significant investments in infrastructure projects, particularly road paving throughout the Greater Santo Domingo area.

However, a year later, the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) has joined the Fuerza del Pueblo in questioning the government’s handling of these funds, demanding a clear breakdown of how the money is being spent.

Former President Leonel Fernández, leader of the Fuerza del Pueblo, criticized the government’s infrastructure projects as inefficient and stalled. He highlighted the 36-year extension of the Aerodom concession agreement until 2060 as a point of concern.

Among the promised projects were road paving in La Caleta, Boca Chica, and throughout the Greater Santo Domingo area, as well as improvements to major thoroughfares like Isabel Aguiar and Jacobo Majluta avenues.

Diario Libre reports in its 4 December 2024 print edition that the Dominican government has allocated 71% of the RD$43.95 billion in state revenue from the renegotiated concession contract with Aeropuertos Dominicanos Siglo XXI (Aerodom). Of this amount, 35.5% has been assigned to both the Presidency and the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC).

According to the Budget Agency (Digepres), the Presidency will receive approximately RD$16 billion. These funds are earmarked for the management of assets, liabilities, and transfers. Meanwhile, the MOPC is set to receive RD$15.35 billion, which will be invested in infrastructure projects, road assistance, bridges, highways, and rural roads, among other initiatives.

Read more in Spanish:
Noticias SIN
El Dia
El Nacional
N Digital
Diario Libre

4 December 2024