Diario Libre publishes an editorial on the confusing incident of an Albanian company announcing the sale of 10,000 prefab houses and the visit of Housing Minister Carlos Bonilla to Albania, accepting an invitation made by former US Ambassador in the Dominican Republic Wally Brewster. Press follow-ups reveal the minister would have denied the visit as Minister to Albania, and then even the company that would have made the purchase has denied ties with Minister Bonilla.
Diario Libre writes:
“The fall of Julius Caesar left the world with the phrase: ‘Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion,’ nearly two millennia ago. This adage has endured, proving as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome.
“The case of Dominican Housing Minister Carlos Bonilla offers a contemporary example. Bonilla has come under scrutiny following reports of a trip to Albania to explore the purchase of 10,000 prefabricated, low-cost homes. This information was initially published by Eco Buildings Group on 19 November 2024, and subsequently picked up by other outlets like the Financial Times.
“Initially, Bonilla denied any knowledge of such a trip. However, he later admitted to visiting Albania but claimed it was in his capacity as a civil engineer, not as a government official.
“This raises a pertinent question: If the trip was indeed a personal one, why the initial denial?
“Bonilla must understand that the responsibilities of his ministerial position cannot be so easily shed. Particularly when it involves matters directly related to his ministry, such as housing.”
Meanwhile, a read in the Financial Times sheds some light on why the editorial:
The Financial Times published the letter of intent sent by EcoBuildings to Minister Carlos Bonilla as a follow up to the visit. The letter establishes that Bonilla had been received in his condition as a government official, not a private person and confirms the order for 10,000 houses valued at US$237 million.
“Eco Buildings Group plc (AIM: ECOB), the UK-listed modular housing company, is pleased to provide an update following the recent visit of the Dominican Republic delegation, led by Minister Carlos Bonilla Sanchez ( Minister for Housing, Habitat and Buildings) to our manufacturing facility in Albania.
“The visit marks a significant milestone in the partnership discussions between Eco Buildings and the Dominican Republic government. The delegation’s inspection of our state-of-the-art, fully automated factory underscored the transformative potential of our modular housing solutions. With products that are up to 50% cheaper, two-thirds lighter, and five times faster to build than conventional homes, our technology is uniquely positioned to address the Dominican Republic’s pressing social housing needs.
“During the visit, Minister Bonilla Sanchez expressed strong interest in the advanced capabilities of our manufacturing processes and the quality of our glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panels, which have already been certified in Chile and approved for use across multiple Latin American markets. This visit reinforced the Dominican Republic government’s confidence in Eco Buildings as a strategic partner for delivering affordable, sustainable housing solutions.
“Following the visit, detailed negotiations have progressed positively, building on the Letter of Intent signed with Gramma Constructora SRL (a large private construction company headquartered in the Dominican Republic). This agreement outlines the purchase of 10,000 modular homes over the next five years, subject to regulatory approvals. Importantly, the approval process will require homologation rather than full certification, significantly streamlining the timeline. Additionally, the sample wall is already on its way to the Dominican Republic for evaluation and testing. Gramma Constructora SRL has committed to acquiring an initial tranche of 2,000 units annually upon receiving the necessary governmental certifications. Discussions are also advancing regarding the potential establishment of a turnkey manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic, further demonstrating Eco Buildings’ commitment to local economic development. The value of the total contract once executed is US$237 million of gross revenue to Eco Buildings Group PLC.”
In another follow up, El Nuevo Diario publishes statements by representatives for Gramma Constructora denying the relations with the government for the purchase.
Minister Carlos Bonilla would later say he traveled to Albania to learn more about the construction process. EcoBuildings said in its letter of intent that the plan is to eventually manufacture the prefab houses in the Dominican Republic.
Read more:
Somos Pueblo
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
El Nuevo Diario
Financial Times
25 November 2024