Photos

Here is a picture of Former Haitian president Rene Preval going for baggage check at Airport unnoticed.

René García Préval (born Jan. 17, 1943) served two terms as the President of Haiti from February 7, 1996 to February 7, 2001, and from May 14, 2006 to May 14, 2011 and he is the first former Prime Minister to be elected President. He is the son of an agronomist, left Haiti in 1963 for Belgium to study agronomy. After earning a degree, from the Gembloux Agricultural University, he continued his education at the University of Pisa, to work in geothermal sciences. In 1970, when Préval moved to Brooklyn; there he served as a messenger and a waiter. In 1988 after returning to Haiti, he opened a bakery in Port-au-Prince that provided bread to poor children. It was there he met Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was then a Roman Catholic priest working in the slums. In 1990, when Aristide was elected president, Préval became his Prime Minister (February 1991 to October 11, 1991). Préval was the first elected head of state in Haitian history to peacefully receive power from a predecessor in office and the first President in Haitian history since independence to serve full terms in office. Recently, on 10th May, 2016, Rene Préval was seen standing in the queue at the airport baggage check-in counter, like a common man going for a trip, unnoticed. There was no security, no one to carry his luggage, neither there was any diplomatic room for him. Many consider that he was the only Haitian President who could feel the pulse of Haitian people. He is the same president guy who never hesitated to leave the National Palace behind a motorcycle, because the traffic was congested.

Permalink | Comments

The 4th Edition of Miss Haiti 2016. On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, at the Hotel Royal Oasis, the Miss Haiti Committee launched the 4th edition of Miss Haiti 2016 and announced their guidelines for registration. The registrations for the Miss Haiti 2016 competition will remain open from May 11 to July 2, 2016 in four Haitian cities (four regions): Port-au-Prince, Cap Haitien, Les Cayes and Jacmel and on the internet (misshaitiorg.com) for young Haitians living abroad. The applicants must be aged between 18 to 26 years, unmarried, without children. Every applicant must have a valid passport, completed their Baccalauréat 2, a certificate of good conduct and a parental consent if the aspiring candidate is a minor at the time of registration. Registration fees 2,500 gourdes (2,000 Gourdes for students). In the first round, 20 candidates will be short listed. Following a shooting test, 15 of them will have the opportunity for grooming and pre-qualifier broadcasts; 10 finalists will be selected for the final. There will be two finals to decide winners from three categories: Miss World Haiti (13 August), the second to choose the Miss Haiti Universe and Miss Haiti International (August 27).

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of the collapsed Bridge On Route 9 over Riviere Grise. The population has managed to adjust to the new reality.

A bridge along Route 9 in Cite Soleil partially collapsed on March 18, 2016 at around 8:30 am at the passage of a dump truck carrying gravel. About two months after the collapse, the US Army Corps of Engineers was engaged to assess the condition of the bridge and determine possible causes of the collapse. As per their reports, it was revealed that the bridge built in 1997 by the U.S Army was designed to withstand a load capacity of 30 tons, but it used to carry regular loads beyond 40 tons. Every day, about 12,000 vehicles used to cross the bridge before the collapse. Poor maintenance, overloading, existing damages and lack of supervisions were the possible causes of the collapse. The investigating team has recommended that the Olympic Park side (North side) of the collapsed wing and the side of Cité Soleil (South Bay), unaffected in the collapse, both should be replaced by similar modular steel with increased load capacity.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture of the 26th promotion of the PNH.
The national Human Rights Network(RNDDH) revealed individuals with criminal records are some of the police academy who graduated on Tuesday..

On Tuesday, May 10, 2016, the Provisional President Jocelerme Privert accompanying Prime Minister, Enex Jean-Charles attended the graduation ceremony of the 26th promotion of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) at the Police Academy (Road of Frères). Over 1573 applicants, 1474 new agents were qualified, including 186 women. However, as per RNDDH (National Network for the Defence of Human Rights), 84 of these new graduates have past criminal records. As per their shared list, the following facts were revealed: (a) 16 were former prisoners who evaded during the 2010 earthquake; (b) 16 were members of different criminal gangs; (c) 10 were involved in rape, in some cases involving minor children; (d) 7 were involved in assassination; (e) 3 having problem with the justice system for possession of illegal guns; (f) 3 were involved in crime with gun; (g) 2 individuals deported from U.S. for their involvement in robberies and abuse on minors; (h) 1 individual was involved in kidnapping. Should we allow the police academy to become a training center for criminals?

Permalink | Comments

Here is a picture where several members of the Verification Commission took over the Tabulation Center.

On Thursday, April 28, 2016, the Provisional President Privert installed the 5 members Independent Commission for Electoral Evaluation and Verification (CIEVE) to establish credibility of the 2015 election results and restore confidence and trust to participate in the upcoming elections. On Thursday, May 12, 2016, over 60 experts from such commission visited the Tabulation centers to take control over the situation and start their challenging tasks to check the compliance of the voting process, polling and counting in accordance with the Electoral rules. They are working under close observation of the representing political parties. Earlier, it was decided that since it is not possible to check every vote cast by 5.8 million registered voters, the commission would audit the last election process through a 15% random sample. However, as per the recent decision to avoid large sampling error, the sample size has been increased to 25%.

Permalink | Comments

Here is a presentation of the 22th edition of Livres en Folie in Haiti.

On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, the official launching ceremony of the 22nd edition of "Livres En Folie" or "Books on Fire" took place at the Historical Park of the Sugarcane, in Tabarre. It is the largest annual book fair in Haiti. This edition of book fair has been dedicated to the honor of Marie Vieux Chauvet (September 16, 1916 to June 19, 1973). She was a Haitian novelist, poet and playwright. Her works focus on every aspect of Haitian life-- class, society, women, family, economy, politics and many others. Provisional President Jocelerme Privert accompanied by his wife Ginette Michaud Privert visited the fair on Thursday, May 26th. He praised the efforts of the organizers for organizing this event continuously, for last 22 years. He mentioned this fair as an excellent meeting place for the authors, publishers, readers and intellectuals and congratulated all the participants to make this event a success.

Permalink | Comments

5/11/16 - Former Director of BMPAD, s, having difficulties to give explanation to the Commission Anti-Corruption of the Senate regarding a contract signed between the Haitian government and the company ESD Engineering and his services for the maintenance of Electricity companies built by venezuela. Michael Lecorps was making $888 thousand US dollars a Month working for the same company.

At a hearing of the Ethics Committee and Anti Corruption Senate, on May 12, 2016, Michael Lecorps, the former Director (between 2013 and March 2015) of the Office of Monetization of Development Aid Programs (BMPAD) has said that the management of fund of his institution was proper under his direction. Such management of PetroCaribe funds was certified by the audit of the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSCCA) as "in the line of the laid down provisions". The funds were disbursed by the Treasury as per mentioned guidelines only on the requests of the Ministry of Finance. The BMPAD had no intervening authority to supervise the implementation and execution of the projects undertaken by the respective departments. Management of PetroCaribe funds during his tenure, including the quick transfer of oil funds to Venezuela, had been always transparent and disclosed on the institution's website.

Permalink | Comments

Misuse of PetroCaribe Funds - May, 2016 - Hearing of former Minister of Planning and External Cooperation(MPCE) Yves Germain Joseph revealed that after completing 8 km road out of an 18 km road contract (44%), GTC Construction firm received $21 million(over 95%) out of a total contract of $ 22 million.

A recent statement of former Minister of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE) Yves Germain Joseph reveals that GTC Construction firm out of a contract of $22 million under PetroCaribe fund to build an 18 km stretch of roads has received $21 million or 95% of the contracted amount after completing only 8 km or 44% of the work! We might also remember that in last December, this honorable minister was once accused by one of his girlfriend of misappropriating over $5 million of public funds. There were other reports of his involvement in a number of acts of corruption and misappropriation of public funds.

Permalink | Comments

May, 2016 - After working together for more than 17 years, Shabba accused Roro Laine & Pouchon Duverger, by revealing that they were jealous of him because of his achievements in music.

Shabba or Herve Anthenor, the noted Percussionist (congas) of Djakout# 1 has accused Roro Laine (drummer) and Pouchon (Augustus) Duverger (lead vocalist) by revealing that they were jealous of him because of his achievement in music. They have worked together for last 17 years. As per Shabba's allegation, the jealousy was brewing inside them; it only came out with their refusal to his invitation to participate in the launching program of his third solo album. Shabba has said, he can no longer hold with this recent behavior of his partners. Then he added, he does not have any problem with Mamane (Maestro & Bassist) or Ti Regi (Keytarist)-- they always participate in his albums.

Permalink | Comments

Jonas Coffy heading the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

In last September, Jonas Coffy had accused that three advisors, such as, Robert Fritz St. Paul (President of the CSC / CA), and counselors Ariel Joseph Jean and Saint-Just Momprevil, received a whopping sum of US$.500,000 for issuing a favorable discharge certificate to Jacky Lumarque, a presidential candidate of the Truth (Vérité in French) platform. They were bribed by none but the twice President of the Republic of Haiti, René Préval. However, in spite of paying the bribe, Lumarque was ousted from the presidential race for lack of discharge. In response, the three accused have vehemently denied the allegation and have said they will sue for justice against Jonas Coffy for defamation. As per latest news dated May 15, 2016, Jonas Coffy, the leader of Party Anseye Pou Ayiti, has been named to head the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, replacing Rudy Heriveaux. Both of them have a Fanmi Lavalas background.

Permalink | Comments