President Prèval cautions Haitians on expectations for 2009

Haitian President Rene Preval

According to BBC Caribbean, he rendered these remarks at a square in Gonaives during a ceremony honouring the heroes of Haiti’s independence from France.

In April 2008 the nation was hit by food riots that killed six people, which was followed by four devastating storms between August and September that killed over 800 people and caused half a billion dollars in damages. Further, a deadly school collapse in November killed 91 persons.

However, despite his relative pessimism, Prèval offered several proposals to “change the situation”.

“First, this year will be the year of big road-building in Haiti and, second, we must continue to build peace because peace is the way to end foreign troop presence in Haiti. It is also the path to investment,” the President said.

Prèval also revealed that he would beef up government assistance and implement a programme of public works for recovery in Gonaives, the city most affected by the four storms.

Among the hundreds who heard Prèval’s speech in the city square were a group of teachers and students holding up billboards demanding government assistance to raise the city’s standard of living. ~~Adz:Right~~