The Nippes department marked its 23rd anniversary on October 30. In a message to residents and the diaspora, Volcy Assad called for a new development drive, more decentralization and better local governance, Juno7 reported.

Created in 2003 with Miragoâne as its capital, Nippes has three arrondissements, eleven communes and 37 communal sections.

Assad recalled the events of 1883 in Miragoâne and the region's literary heritage, including historian Beaubrun Ardouin and poet Coriolan Ardouin, both from Petit-Trou-de-Nippes, and urged residents to pass local traditions on to young people.

He said the department's farmland, marine resources, landscapes and local skills could support agriculture, fishing, tourism and entrepreneurship, and called for quality schools, local health care, passable roads and decent jobs so young people can build their future in Nippes.

He closed with a call in Kreyòl for residents to unite so that the wealth of Nippes becomes well-being for all its children. The anniversary came days after recent rains hit Nippes harder than any other department, with 1,767 homes flooded.