Cuban and Haitian officials finalized a new agreement recently to provide repair and maintenance help in rebuilding public infrastructure.

In the first phase of the new deal, signed by Minister Laurent Lamothe and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, 34 Cuban mechanic technicians will come to Haiti to help rebuild and repair government vehicles, including much needed school buses, garbage trucks and heavy equipment for construction.

"This technical assistance will enable us to repair the equipment to build new roads," said Lamothe.

In addition, the technical assistance also hopes to help revamp waste management in Port-au-Prince, which is still at a standstill because of the depleted fleets for the Metropolitan Bureau of Solid Waste Collection (SMCRS). Meanwhile, as the government seeks out more student enrollment under the new universal education plan, school buses are much needed to reach students in neglected areas.

"Major donors can do much more for Haiti and should do it," said Minister Rodriguez, encouraging the international community to keep their pledges to provide aid for Haiti's rebuilding process.

Most of the funds pledged to Haiti however from countries and international donors are still being withheld, as officials are expressing concerns about the stability of Haiti's government, particularly after the resignation of former Prime Minister, Garry Conille.

Foreign Minister Laurent Lamothe has been nominated by President Michel Martelly to replace Conille. Lamothe however is still waiting for the Haitian Legislature's approval of his appointment.