SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move against corruption, Dominican President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated an oversight commission on Monday. This high-profile body will supervise sports infrastructure projects funded by more than RD$2 billion recovered from corrupt activities. The establishment of the commission represents a cornerstone of the administration’s pledge to enhance governmental transparency, ensure accountability, and improve the stewardship of public funds.
The newly formed commission comprises a distinguished panel of national leaders. Its members include Dr. José Joaquín Puello, former head of the Dominican Olympic Committee; Dr. Milton Ray Guevara, ex-president of the Constitutional Court; Monsignor Héctor Rafael Rodríguez Rodríguez, Archbishop of Santiago and president of the Dominican Episcopal Conference; alongside communications experts Luisin Mejía, president of Centro Caribe Sport and an International Olympic Committee member, and Percio Maldonado. President Abinader emphasized the critical role of civilian oversight, asserting that the commissioners’ collective integrity and expertise will ensure transparent management throughout all project phases.
Concurrent with the swearing-in ceremony, the government initiated the official bidding process for the construction projects. This step follows extensive technical evaluations conducted over several months by the Planning Directorate and the Ministry of Sports. The ambitious development plan encompasses a complete overhaul of the Olympic Center in San Pedro de Macorís, the reconstruction of the sports complex in San Juan de la Maguana, the erection of 23 multipurpose sports roofs in various municipalities, and a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Olympic Center in La Vega. Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz highlighted that these strategic investments are designed to address persistent infrastructure deficits and deliver profound social, cultural, and communal benefits, with a particular focus on empowering the nation’s youth and children.