Dominican government to buy Shell's 50% stake refinery

Dominicantoday.com, Santo Domingo , November 16 th 2007

President Leonel Fernandez instructed the Hacienda Ministry to buy Shell's shares in the Dominican Petroleum Refinery and said as part of the government plan to save fuel, synchronized traffic lights would be installed and the conversion of 80 buses, 2,000 public transport, 400 Police and Army vehicles, to use natural gas.

The chief executive also promised free advice, technical assistance and tax exemptions to the companies and homes to buy and install equipment which use electricity efficiently.

Others saving measures include the financing of the private sector to install natural gas distributors, a special subsidy to the students  the Santo Domingo State University UASD and ban the use of government vehicles on weekends.