As part of the preparations for the visit of the Colombian President, H.E. Gustavo Petro, scheduled in the coming days, a high-level Haitian government delegation, led by the Minister of Culture and Communication (MCC), Mr. Patrick Délatour, conducted an assessment and redevelopment tour of the sites set to host the Colombian official. The visit took place in the southeastern city of Jacmel on the morning of Sunday, December 8, 2024.
In anticipation of this event, and under the directives of the President of the Conseil Présidentiel de Transition (CPT), Mr. Leslie Voltaire, a six-member delegation was dispatched. The delegation included:
Mr. Patrick Délatour, Minister of Culture and Population
Mr. Yves Kersaint, architect-urban planner and expert consultant
Mr. Ronald Blain, consulting architect
Mr. Jacques Ambroise, presidential spokesperson
Mr. Raymond Hygin, engineer and director of public works at the MTPTC
Mr. Pierre Guinard, engineer and technical director at the MTPTC
The delegation was received by local authorities, including Deputy Mayor Mme Loudie César, Departmental Delegate Ing. Jude Pierre-Michel Lafontant, and Departmental Director of Culture and Communication Mr. Pierre-Paul Ancion, alongside other representatives from Jacmel’s public and security sectors.
According to architect-consultant Ronald Blain, during a state visit to Colombia in October 2024, President Voltaire engaged in discussions with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who reiterated his desire to visit sites of historical significance in Jacmel. These include locations where General Simón Bolívar was hosted by Presidents Alexandre Pétion and Jean-Pierre Boyer—a gesture of solidarity pivotal to the independence movements of South American nations.
To honor this history, a clean-up and restoration campaign is underway in Jacmel’s cultural and historical landmarks, including the old iron market, the former civil prison, and the facades of historic houses. Mr. Blain revealed that a budget of two billion dollars has been allocated for these projects. Furthermore, a redevelopment initiative, the Zone d’Aménagement Concerté (ZAC), originally conceptualized under the administration of René Préval, will be showcased. The project aims to position Jacmel as a premier tourist destination.
Despite these ambitious plans, Jacmel faces significant challenges:
The city has been without street lighting for four years.
Road infrastructure and drainage systems are in severe disrepair.
The historic center, frequently flooded and overwhelmed with garbage, is in dire need of maintenance.
Projects like the restoration of the iron market, designed by renowned architect Alcibiade Pommayrac, have been stalled for years, and many of the city’s historic buildings are falling into neglect.
Moreover, cultural activities such as painting and crafts are struggling to thrive amid Haiti’s ongoing socio-political crisis, while the once-flourishing tourism sector continues to decline.
Will the presentation of the ZAC project serve as a turning point for Jacmel, enabling the restoration of its former glory and addressing its critical structural issues? Will the authorities seize this moment to confront the city’s challenges and secure its place on the global tourist map?
Time will tell.
Marcia Moïse / CTN-Jacmel
moisemarcha@gmail.com