Opposition leaders Rafael Castillo of the Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) and Juan Ariel Jiménez of the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD) are urging President Luis Abinader to implement significant changes within his administration, suggesting that a reshuffling of key officials could benefit the country, N Digital reports.
Castillo, who serves as spokesperson for the FP’s block of deputies, is advocating for a complete overhaul of the government, starting with the removal of two key ministers: Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz, and Public Works Minister Deligne Ascención.
Jiménez was Minister of Economy during the last administration of former President Danio Medina. Jimenez suggests that the government should focus on identifying profiles for top officials, emphasizing the importance of selecting individuals with the right skills to address national issues and design effective public policies.
Castillo calls for top-to-bottom reshuffle. A deputy for FP-Santo Domingo, Castillo argues that President Abinader should conduct a comprehensive reshuffle. He stated: “The Ministry of Agriculture is simply spending the budget allocated to it. The country needs agricultural production that can drive down food prices,” he said. According to Castillo, the nation is facing an agricultural production crisis that is harming the economy, with no significant steps being taken to reverse the situation.
In his criticism of the Ministry of Public Works, Castillo pointed to stalled infrastructure projects and the failure of key initiatives. “The roads are in disrepair, and not a single major project has been completed, not even halfway,” he asserted. Castillo cited the long-delayed expansion of the Duarte Highway, particularly the stretch at Kilometer 9, as a prime example of the government’s failure to deliver on its promises.
On the other hand, Jiménez advocates for strategic selection of competent officials. A former Minister of Economy, he believes it is crucial to define the profiles of qualified officials to address the country’s pressing issues and develop sound public policies.
Rather than focusing solely on reshuffling personnel, Jiménez advocates for a more strategic approach, prioritizing competence and experience.
“It’s essential to identify people who are best suited to perform the assigned roles and respond effectively to the problems facing Dominicans,” Jiménez emphasized.
For Jiménez, the challenge is not just rotating officials, but ensuring that key positions are filled by individuals with the vision and capacity to tackle the nation’s challenges.
He also stressed the importance of designing public policies with a technical, data-driven approach that meets the actual needs of the population.
“It’s not just about making changes for the sake of change; it’s about making sure those changes bring real, effective solutions,” Jiménez concluded.
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N Digital
23 January 2025