INDRHI Director states Government has made payments for RD$ 587 million for compensation to communities of Monte Grande Dam

Barahona. – The executive director of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), engineer Olmedo Caba Romano, revealed this Tuesday that the Dominican Government has disbursed a total of RD$ 587 million 505 thousand pesos for compensation to the farmers and community members in the area of influence and impact of the Monte Grande Dam. Caba Romano pointed out that for compensation for crops, the Government, through the INDRHI, has paid the sum of RD$ 325 million 132 thousand pesos to the farmers. While, for the acquisition of land for community use, the administration of President Luis Abinader has made payments for an amount of RD$ 83 million 204 thousand pesos. In addition, the director of INDRHI stated that they have made disbursements for an amount of RD$ 29 million 415 thousand pesos for the purpose of contributing to the support of community members and for renting housing to community members, an investment of RD$ 624 thousand pesos was made. The executive director of INDRHI revealed that the investment in the construction of the Monte Grande Dam is valued at 538 million dollars, although he acknowledged that there are still financial processes to be closed. Caba Romano indicated that the Monte Grande Dam is ready and functioning, dispatching about 18 cubic meters of water per second daily for the irrigation of thousands of plots sown with agricultural products in the provinces of Barahona, Independencia and Bahoruco. The official highlighted the construction of the housing project of 492 homes, delivered by President Luis Abinader to the community members who were displaced by the construction of the project, fully furnished, with streets, sidewalks, a court, a church, community clubs, a National Police (PN) detachment, a Primary Care Unit (UNAP), electrification and other areas of social and economic development.

Supporting works

Regarding the complementary works of the “Presa Monte Grande” multiple project, such as the left and right bank irrigation canals, Olmedo Caba stated that they are in the bidding process to begin their construction and that they have financial support from the Central Government and multilateral organizations, with an investment exceeding US$ 300 million. Return on investment: Regarding the return on investment of the project, the INDRHI executive assured that in an estimated 10 years the dam would be realizing the return on investment and that, for more than 50 years, the provinces of the Enriquillo region will have drinking water and irrigation water. A note: The Monte Grande Dam was inaugurated on January 25, 2024, by the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and in more than 619 days of operations, this hydroelectric plant has delivered more than one million cubic meters of water. Community members speak: From his side, Manuel Pérez (Lemba), who spoke on behalf of the producers, farmers, and landowners of the Enriquillo region, highlighted the importance of this work that is irrigating more than 300 thousand tareas of the region. The INDRHI director was interviewed by the staff of the program “Hoy Mismo”, from the Monte Grande Dam curtain.