Overview:
Almost two years after work started on a 17-mile highway in Haiti’s Northwest, lower than two miles have been accomplished. Early guarantees to complete it inside two months stay unmet. The $15 million undertaking, funded by the Inter-American Growth Financial institution, goals to spice up commerce and transportation amongst three municipalities—together with Port-de-Paix, Saint-Louis-du-Nord and Anse-à-Foleur. Officers reported progress as of Jan. 29, however residents query the tempo, demand transparency and warn that continued delays may stall financial good points.
PORT-DE-PAIX— Almost two years after the launch of a $15 million highway undertaking supposed to attach Port-de-Paix, Saint-Louis-du-Nord and Anse-à-Foleur, it stays unfinished— with lower than two miles accomplished. The undertaking is shifting at a tempo far past its unique two-month completion estimate introduced in 2024.
The 17-mile hall, financed by the Inter-American Growth Financial institution (IBD) and overseen by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC), is the most important infrastructure undertaking awarded to the Northwest Division so far. It was promoted as a catalyst for regional commerce, agricultural transport and financial progress.
However progress has been sluggish.
Since 2024, building crews have labored alongside parts of the hall. Nonetheless, residents proceed navigating a dusty, uneven roadway susceptible to mud and standing water, complicating day by day commutes and business exercise.
“As soon as the drainage work is accomplished, all that may stay is elevating and backfilling to arrange the roadway for asphalt surfacing,” stated Angelot Oracius Joseph, the departmental director of the MTPTC within the Northwest—late 2024. “That part will probably be accomplished in a brief interval.”
Delays persist as first part stays incomplete
Regardless of seen exercise, the primary two miles are nonetheless unfinished almost two years after the undertaking’s groundbreaking.
Oracius attributed the delays primarily to flooding, unstable soil and a excessive water desk that complicates drainage set up.
“Throughout the execution of drainage buildings, it’s essential to commonly pump out water, which requires quite a lot of time,” he stated, including that work has continued with out interruption.
Residents say the tempo doesn’t match the urgency of a undertaking extensively seen as important to financial mobility within the area.
“If it takes greater than a 12 months to construct not even one mile of highway, it’ll take greater than 15 years to finish all 17 miles. This isn’t regular for a undertaking that’s supposed to enhance visitors and transportation.”
Renel Fontil, Resident
“If it takes greater than a 12 months to construct not even one mile of highway, it’ll take greater than 15 years to finish all 17 miles,” stated Renel Fontil, 37. “This isn’t regular for a undertaking that’s supposed to enhance visitors and transportation.”
Others instantly query undertaking management.
“Director Oracius has not carried out any efficient technique to maneuver this undertaking ahead rapidly,” stated Edinel Norméus, 39. “He may depart his place with out the work being accomplished. Such a state of affairs can be disastrous for the three municipalities benefiting from the undertaking.”
Financial hopes tied to completion, as transparency and funding questions linger
Regardless of frustrations, residents say the highway stays crucial to the Northwest’s financial future.
Farmers and small enterprise house owners count on the undertaking to decrease transportation prices, cut back journey time and enhance entry to markets.
“My agricultural merchandise will probably be transported extra simply and extra rapidly to native markets as soon as this highway is accomplished,” stated Mercidieu Déliard, 55. “The state should push this undertaking ahead with out interruption.”
Frantzson Gustave, 46, concurred. “This highway will probably be a real engine of financial improvement for the three cities,” he added. We now have waited a very long time for this.”
The sluggish tempo has additionally fueled considerations about oversight and spending.
In line with Oracius, $1.9 million has been disbursed to date for the primary two kilometers. No detailed public breakdown has been offered for the remaining $13.1 million.
“The funds which were launched should actually be used to maneuver the development ahead,” stated Joanel Étienne, 65. “These in cost should show transparency and integrity. The suspicion of corruption amongst undertaking officers is extraordinarily excessive.”
For a lot of residents, seen progress — not assurances — will decide public belief.
On Jan. 29, officers reported that drainage work was almost 100% full and that the primary asphalt layers would arrive quickly.
“The drainage work, regardless of the difficulties encountered, has been accomplished at 90%,” Oracius stated. “Residents ought to stay calm.”
Till now, no up to date completion date has been introduced.