Haiti’s PM forbids holiday spending sprees by government employees
Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe forbade government employees from spending money on “unnecessary” items and throwing lavish parties for the holiday season.
In his Nov. 25 statement, Jouthe listed such items as gifts, Christmas trees and baskets, and pricey greeting cards, among others. He said the Ministry of Economy and Finance will take all necessary steps to ensure that public administration officers comply with the restriction. Source
EDH: More electricity coming to Port-au-Prince suburbs after fuel fix
A fuel problem affecting electricity to communes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area has been fixed, said Michel Presume, general director Haiti’s power agency of EDH.
EDH now hopes to install an additional 90 megawatts to the whole western department, Presume said via Twitter Saturday. The power boost would increase the amount of hours electricity is available to residents of the West, of which Port-au-Prince is the capital city.
Kidnappers release doctor, seize wife of National Palace security chief
Kidnappers of Dr. Hans Thelemaque, a prominent physician whose case drew swift protests, set him free along Christophe Avenue in Port-au-Prince Sunday evening.
Dr. Thelemaque was kidnapped Saturday morning. The medical community quickly responded in protest, with the five hospitals where he works ceasing all activities. Medical students and health employees also marched in a demonstration that resulted in police shooting an intern in the chin.
Dr. Thelemaque’s kidnappers released him after his family paid a ransom, according to Gazette Haiti.
Earlier on Sunday morning, a group of thugs kidnapped Maritza Beaubrun Hérard, the wife of the National Palace’s security chief. Police have not said who is responsible for the recent rash of kidnappings being perpetrated. Source