On Thursday, January 22, 2026, in the locality of Berquin (Nippes Department), the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Departmental Directorate of the Haitian National Police (PNH) took place. Construction of the building, which began approximately four months ago, has already seen significant progress.

The construction of this modern building will strengthen the PNH's institutional presence in the Nippes Department and better meet the public's expectations regarding public safety.

The ceremony was held in the presence of numerous civil, judicial, and religious authorities, as well as national and international partners. Among those who participated in the ceremony were: Anne Myriam Loiseau Luima, Mayor of Miragoâne; Gérard Nertilus, Dean of the City's Court of First Instance; Jean-Philippe Richerlson, Deputy Departmental Delegate; Reverend Father Macley Antoine Élie, Parish Priest of Sainte-Thérèse de Berquin; and Kazuhiko Nishiuchi, Ambassador of Japan to Haiti.

Also present were, among others : Xavier Michon, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Haiti; Inspector General Mario Aubergiste, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH); Inspector General Jackson Hilaire, Representative of Chief Inspector General Divisional Commissioner Erna Royal, Basket Fund Focal Point; and Divisional Commissioner Louis-Jeune Pierre Michelet, Departmental Director of the PNH in Nippes.

In his remarks, Xavier Michon reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting the Haitian government in strengthening public security institutions. He emphasized that this infrastructure will contribute to strengthening security governance, fostering closer ties between the police and the population, and improving the working conditions of Haitian National Police (PNH) officers.

The Mayor welcomed the completion of this crucial project, which she considers a symbol of hope for the people of Nippes. She stressed the importance of a better-equipped police force with adequate infrastructure to guarantee security, social peace, and local development.

For his part, Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Nishiuchi reiterated the support of the Japanese people and government for stabilization and institutional strengthening efforts in Haiti. He highlighted Japanese cooperation as a key driver for promoting security, community resilience, and sustainable development.

Finally, Inspector General Mario Aubergiste, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH), emphasized that the construction of this Departmental Directorate aligns with the High Command's strategic vision for modernizing, decentralizing, and strengthening the operational capacities of the Haitian National Police. He expressed his deep gratitude to national and international partners for their support of the police force.

Following the ceremony, the delegation conducted an assessment visit to the Miragoâne Police Station, which was severely damaged by the January 12, 2010 earthquake, and observed the current operating conditions of this strategic PNH facility.

It was noted that, since the 2010 earthquake, the various departments of the Miragoâne Police Station, as well as the PNH Departmental Directorate, have been operating "temporarily" in prefabricated structures, a situation that impacts the working conditions of police personnel and the quality of services provided to the public.

IH/ S/ iciHaiti