SANTO DOMINGO.- Yesterday, Teodoro Tejada, ex-president of the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (Codia), claimed the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is obstructing the construction sector. He alleges the previous management of the organization was a step back for the entity, undoing 20 years of progress.
Tejada referenced the former minister of the state agency, economist Miguel Ceara Hatton, as unfit for his position. Counter to Hatton’s belief, Tejada attests that Dominican builders are honest.
In response to inquiries from El Inmobiliario about construction permit delays, Tejada expressed hope that the current head, Paíno Henríquez, will expedite the stagnant files. Some have been idle for up to seven months.
Tejada argued that the withholding of construction plans damages builders, workers, and the Dominican financial and hardware sectors.
The nation should provide an immediate solution, backed by solid action, not just press announcements, he pointed out.
He mentioned that when the Dominican Association of Housing Builders and Promoters (Acoprovi) and builders express complaints, it signifies the State’s failure. He reminds that the works for which permits are applied meet legal requirements and abide by the 2011 anti-seismic code.
Engineer Teodoro Tejada. (External source).
Tejada noted that all works processed through the Ministries of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed) and the Environment have permits granted by the Urban Planning Department of the City Council. They meet defined standards like height and density.
He argues, saying, “if you slow the economy’s engine, you encourage illegal construction.” He explains that due to sales commitments for the projects, engineers often build based on city council permits. They often return money to protect their reputation, suggesting the problem lies elsewhere.
Tejada contends that although the MIVHED also has delays, the primary hurdle lay in the Ministries of Tourism and Environment. He claims these ministries’ permits take up to seven months to process and that the last ministers have not been environmentalists.
Tejada stressed that under Hatton’s administration, there was disorder, causing tension in environmental impact permits and a “bottleneck”. A similar situation exists in Tourism. He cites that this doesn’t apply to all, except for large hotel chains. But for apartment construction, there are always obstacles.
The East is chaos
Tejada indicates the bleak situation in the East where all permits are processed through the Dominican capital. He regards it as a step backward as it mirrors the situation 20 years ago. Meanwhile, towns capture cases and refer them to the National District.
Tejada decries those who halt construction permits, stating they impact the Dominican economy significantly. When construction stops, job growth also halts.
He lists the builder, hardware store owner, food vendors, and everyone involved in the process as those adversely affected.
He asserts the neglect to issue construction permits and the myth of one-stop shop in the country.
An accountant processing plans
Tejada criticizes that an accounting department employee in the Punta Cana area processes the plans. He describes the situation as “very serious.”
Solutions
As a potential solution, Tejada suggests that the three Ministries – Tourism, Environment, and Mivhed – start processing long-standing permits. They should categorize rather than lump them together as is currently done.
Come on, try it.
This year in June, the Dominican construction sector urged the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Mimarena) to expedite permit processing. They highlighted that approval taking up to 6 months could hinder growth and investments in the construction sector this year.
Annerys Meléndez, president of Acoprovi, indicated the prolonged delays could result in massive losses for a critical sector of the national economy. El Inmobiliario carried a similar complaint from two eastern area businessmen who warned that permit delivery delays would stifle real estate development there.