On May 7, Michel Joseph Martelly, made a working visit to Pandiassou and Betannie, in the commune of Hinche (Central Plateau) accompanied by a delegation of dignitaries, including the Ambassador of France, Didier Le Bret, and the Head of the Delegation of European Union in Haiti, Lut Fabert-Goosens, and Edmond Mulet, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Haiti.

In the town of Pandiassou, they visited the institution of the Little Sisters and Little Brothers of the Incarnation and the Technical College. The delegation took note of the various achievements relating to the potential development of hillside lakes, new source of income for local residents, allowing irrigation and fish farming.

The National Project for development of hillside lakes, is today funded to the tune of several million dollars by the Haitian Government with the support of France, the European Union, Spanish Cooperation and the United Nations. Edmond Mulet, said he was satisfied with contribution of the project to the people of Pandiassou, stressing that the latter was one of the most effective programs in terms of cost-benefit in Haiti. To date, there are 142 hillside lakes in the 10 departments of Haiti.

The President-elect, Michel Martelly welcomed the initiative of Brother Franklin to whom he paid tribute and to his team and promised to support them. "This is the first time that I see these hillside lakes. This is an opportunity that allows me to understand what the latter mean in terms of potential and job creation. The Minustah has proposed projects in Haiti and kept the Peace. It is important to value human relationships, and I will prioritize the success."

In Betannie, the delegation visited the treatment plant water, fish ponds and the hillside lake. The plant, with an ultrafiltration system, allows the distribution of a drinking water of quality thanks to the conservation and the preservation of minerals and other rich elements. This is with the logistical support of the France that it ensures the supply of drinking water of quality in the Central Plateau and hopes to extend it to other cities.

The use of Lake of Betannie, unlike other hillside lakes, is varied since in addition to agriculture and fish farming, people can swim and to water the cattle. For Mr. Le Bret, "it was important that President-elect, even before his inauguration, be able to take stock of things that are happening in the country, in this way, we are not starting from nothing."

HL / HaitiLibre / Minustah