SANTO DOMINGO, Reuters – Sunday’s Dominican government began construction of a wall to protect irregular migration from the smuggling and exploitation of drugs and weapons.

Although they share Hispaniola Island, the development of the countries is vastly different. The crime-ridden Haiti, one of America’s poorest countries, is home to the Dominican Republic. However, the Dominican Republic has enjoyed significant political stability in recent years and is a well-known Caribbean destination for tourists.

Many Haitians illegally cross the border to find work in Dominican Republic’s construction and fields.

“The benefit for both nations will be of great importance,” said Dominican President Luis Abinader shortly before pushing the button to begin pouring concrete into the foundations of what will be the wall in the province of Dajabón, some 230 kilometers northwest of the capital.

The Dominican Republic is home to approximately 500,000 Haitians, as well as tens and thousands of their descendants, according the 2018 immigration survey. It’s a Spanish-speaking nation with about 11 million inhabitants.

Abinader said the wall would reduce smuggling in commercial goods and weapons, as well as help to fight organized crime.

The project was started by him, and aims to construct a wall of 164 kilometers before the anniversary of Haiti’s independence on February 27, 1844.

Abinader claimed that the first phase would be finished in the shortest time possible, which was nine months.

A concrete wall 20 centimetre thick will be covered by a metal mesh. It will measure 3.9m (12.8ft) in height and include fiber optics to allow communications, motion sensors, cameras radars, and drones.

This project includes construction of 41 patrolling access gates and 70 watchtowers.