Above: Martelly’s motorcade in Beaumont (Photo: OP)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti President Michel Martelly visited the town of Beaumont to examine living conditions in the area and its possibilities for future development.

Beaumont is in Corail Arrondissement of Haiti’s Grand’Anse department, deep in Haiti’s southern mountains.

The President has spent much of his time in office pushing a plan to “decentralize” Haiti, an initiative that focuses on developing the country’s more rural areas.

“I must bring development to Beaumont,” Martelly said, pointing to agricultural potential in the area including the production of yams, bananas and cassava. “And Grand Anse must expect that from me.”

Martelly also took the opportunity Tuesday to visit members of the Men Kontre charity, which has been in the area since 2000.

The programme, which is directed by Anke Brugmann, includes a centre for counseling and child support.

The President also met with officials of Brazilian construction firm OAS, which is currently working on the Les Cayes-Jeremie road project, which passes through the area.