Residents frustrated over unexplained delays in $15M road construction in  Haiti’s northwest

PORT-DE-PAIX — Hopes soared when the long-awaited $15 million road construction project was officially launched on Nov. 20, 2024, promising to connect Port-de-Paix, Saint-Louis-du-Nord and Anse-à-Foleur— a 17-mile trek. But less than a month later, work came to a halt—and five months on, residents are still waiting for answers.

Funded entirely by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the project was expected to generate jobs, improve transportation and stimulate economic activity in the Northwest Department. The road was to be completed in seven months under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC) and the Italian engineering firm Technic-Plan.

But progress has stalled, and local communities are increasingly frustrated.

Initial work included sidewalk grading and staking road boundaries. But visible progress has stalled. In a photo taken on April 4 by The Haitian Times, students are seen walking barefoot on a dusty, unfinished road while equipment remains parked and unused.

“I worked seven days building sidewalks and earned 1,250 gourdes per day [about $10],” said Robenson Etienne, a roadside worker at the project. “It took them three months to pay me, and I haven’t heard a word about when the project will resume.”

Etienne returned to the site earlier this month, hoping work would resume. It hasn’t.

Questions about leadership and accountability

“Five months after the disbursement of $1.9 million for the construction of just about 2.5 kilometers, I see no work done,” said Pointe des Palmistes resident Lubin Maxon. “Where has this sum of money gone?”

Several residents accuse MTPTC’s departmental director, Angelot Joseph Oracius, of failing to manage the project effectively. On X, formerly known as Twitter, civil society leader Paul Elie Faustin urged residents to demand Oracius’ removal.

“I call on all citizens to rise up against Director Oracius,” Faustin posted on X. “He is unable to ensure the implementation of this project and has no respect for those of us suffering due to poor road conditions.”

When the project launched, Oracius promised it would be completed within seven months. However, only a sidewalk less than a mile long has been built. Road construction was quickly overtaken by an emergency response to flooding in Port-de-Paix in late December.

“Our equipment was redirected to clean up after the disaster,” Oracius said in a Jan. 28 press briefing, alluding to the devastating floods that affected Port-de-Paix between November and December last year. “We lacked trucks and loaders to work on both efforts.”

Even though cleanup was completed months ago, road construction has not resumed.

Also, Oracius previously cited Haiti’s security situation as a key barrier. Gangs currently control parts of National Road 5 near the asphalt plant in Gros-Morne, Artibonite, prompting officials to search for an alternative source of materials in Port-de-Paix.

Still, for many residents, these explanations are no longer enough.

“Oracius must resign immediately,” said Junior Laranche, a resident of Saint-Louis-du-Nord. “He’s incapable of keeping promises. It’s intolerable.”

Oracius has not yet responded to The Haitian Times’ request for comments about residents’ concerns and the possible resumption of work on the project. Local reporters have said the MTPTC’s departmental director has declined repeated interview requests and avoided local dialogue meetings. However, he previously stated that the Haitian government did not finance the road infrastructure project and cited security and flooding in Port-de-Paix as causes for delays.

Concerns over construction quality

Faustin, a former project management committee member, resigned after learning that the road might be built with compacted dirt instead of asphalt. “It was supposed to be a modern road,” he said. “Now they’re saying it will be clay? That’s unacceptable.”

Some residents now believe the project will only offer partial improvement, not the promised paved road. “It’s abnormal that the government is letting this happen,” said trader Kentie Cicéron, who has traveled the road for over 12 years.

Public transport driver Herdonald Macélus, who has served the Port-de-Paix to Saint-Louis-du-Nord route for 14 years, echoed the same sentiment.

“I was excited when work began,” he said. “But four months later, nothing. It’s disheartening.”

Hope in the Transitional Presidential Council

Civic leaders are now turning to Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), hoping it will intervene.

“One of the greatest services the CPT could offer would be to complete this long-awaited project,” Cicéron said. “This is the moment to show leadership.”

While officials insist that no Haitian government funds are being used, residents say that doesn’t absolve local leaders of responsibility.

“This is about accountability and transparency,” said Eder Pierre-Louis of Anse-à-Foleur. “We deserve to know what’s happening with our road.”

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