Friday, following the decisions of the Government Council of February 5, 2014, on the issue of school infrastructure, Vanneur Pierre, Minister of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) held a meeting with several representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Executive Director of the Foundation Digicel executives of Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES), of the Technical Implementation Unit (UTE), of the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate of school engineering at the Ministry, in order to achieve a unitary redefinition of standards and costs in terms of school infrastructure.

In the presence of the Director of cabinet of Prime Minister and a representative of the Presidency, this meeting allowed the various stakeholders to agree on a timetable for work leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the IDB and MENFP through FAES on future interventions in the field of school buildings. The Minister Pierre has in particular proposed the formation of an Intersectoral Committee called to work on the final text and recalled the concern of the Government, who wants to accelerate the execution of school infrastructure projects on hold, to improve access to education.

The Director of Cabinet of Prime Minister abounded in the same direction, seeking a quick conclusion of the protocol, which would allow to start construction sites in the best time.

The partners have agreed to the process, but nevertheless expressed some concerns about the deadline, in the case the ile should be reviewed again by their legal instance. In order to facilitate the advanced, a letter of intent will be sent by the IDB and Digicel to government agencies on projects to be implemented, by expressing their support for the new procedures.

Meanwhile, the UTE and the FAES should contact the National Laboratory, which must decide on technical elements of soil survey within its competence. It is again, stressed the Minister, to expedite the process by having all the prerequisites that may facilitate the signing of the Protocol and the start of works.

HL/ HaitiLibre