Ms. Cassandra FRANCOIS, Minister of Tourism, as part of an assessment visit and to ensure the continuity of the Matheux project (enhancement of the ruins of Habitation Dion, Habitation Lamothe and Fort Douet) went on January 8 to the sites of memory of our colonization and our struggle for freedom

Minister François was accompanied by her Chief of Staff Ms. Savela J. BERENJI, the Project Coordinator, Ms. Monique ROCOURT and the President of the Haitian Tourist Association (ATH) project manager, Ms. Raina FORBIN.

This project is about to end its first activities, including : the restoration of Fort Douet, the restoration of two cisterns, of the staircase leading to the slave quarters of Habitation Dion and part of the glacis de drying des coffee beans.

In addition, the local social aspect was considered relating to the creation of mutuals, the construction of small houses for the inhabitants, the distribution of cattle and poultry and the improvement of agriculture by the implementation of irrigation systems. The final goal is to replant coffee that can be the subject of an agro-tourism industry specially designed for this area.

This beginning of the development of these sites, while waiting for an identical full restoration of the ruins and the consequent archaeological excavations, will not only create a tourist and cultural destination of great value, but also fight poverty and help to the restoration of the vegetation cover of these mountains.

The Ministry of Tourism underlines that the chain of Matheux with its network of colonial dwellings and remains of forts, can become the first destination of the slavery route and be an added value for the Côte des Arcadins already endowed with reception infrastructures.

HL/ HaitiLibre