Last week a meeting-debate organized by the Haitian Council of Non State Actors (CONHANE) on the theme "Dialogue between local authorities and civil society organizations for the improvement of basic services to the population" has held in the premises of the Assistance Fund Economic and Social of Hinche. Participated in these discussions; regional directors of public administration and representatives of civil society organizations. Themes such as water, sanitation and waste management were at the order of the day.

The engineer Glemo Pierre Paula, Departmental Director of the National Water Supply and Sanitation (DINEPA) reported that one of the main concerns of the population of Hinche, was the production of potable water. He recalled that the existing water system, was built there nearly 30 years to serve a population of about 6,000 inhabitants and today the population is over 50,000 people with the same infrastructure. We need a much larger network, said the engineer, stating that steps are underway to rehabilitate and expand the potable water system to Hinche. For the Departmental Director, the deforestation, bank instability and the unwillingness of the citizens to pay their water bills, are some reasons that retard the development of the distribution of potable water.

Students, and members of civil society present have strongly criticized the Government that seems ignore the existence of their commune and its needs, also regretting the lack of management and initiatives of local authorities. Edouard Paultre, coordinator of the CONHANE said he was ready to accompany the population to obtain satisfaction of their claims from local authorities.

S/ HaitiLibre