April, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Strengthening Police Response to DV Incidents Is a Priority

Last month, Cabinet approved the Revised National Gender Policy 2024-2030. This updated policy sets out to achieve gender equity, and equality, and eliminate discrimination against women and girls in Belize. A 2021 document outlining the National Gender Policy Framework highlighted several issues within the Belize Police Department’s response to domestic violence. Despite the establishment of a Domestic Violence Unit a decade ago, trained officers often rotate to other units due to a lack of career advancement opportunities. Disparities in operational hours were noted, with the unit in Belize City operating around the clock, while units in other parts of the country only operate during regular business hours. The report also underscored the limited availability of shelters for domestic violence victims. In response, the latest revised version of the policy prioritizes enhancing police response and victim recovery services. Today, we asked Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, about these crucial areas.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“I think the improvement will come with collaboration. The policy assists us in terms of the direction we want to go. And, because we have come a long way in combatting gender-based violence then what we have to do is work much more with partnerships. So, the policy will inform the actions that will be taken and thank you for raising the issue that the Domestic Violence Unit and the Police Department is understaffed. We will certainly be having discussions with the minister and the commissioner of police to see if we could provide more assistance there. I do know there have been many good interventions, even though in March we had some very sad and tragic occurrences. We had two murder suicides, and then we had other things that have happened, other incidents, a high-level officer of the BDF being accused of severe domestic violence. The message we have to send is that there will be zero tolerance and yes we need more facilities of shelters for people seeking help. Sometimes it takes as many as five to six tries for a woman to come out of a domestic violence situation, because she is so invested in the home, the children and the life she has that it is difficult to walk away when somebody is beating you. But we have had some good successes, and the policy will inform the actions going forward.”

Minister Comments on Her Ministry’s New Indigenous Affairs Director

In March, the Government of Belize appointed Gustavo Requena as the Director of Indigenous People’s Affairs. And his appointment has not come without criticism. The Toledo Alcalde Association has raised concerns over familial ties. He is the brother of Minister Oscar Requena. The Belize National Indigenous Council has also come out swinging, referring to the appointed as set up marred in partisan politics and lacking in integrity. Today, we asked the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, about the concerns raised. She says Requena was not hired because his brother is a minister.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs

“We no longer have a commissioner for indigenous people’s affairs. We won’t be using that anymore. We have appointed a director which we feel it is best to have a director as opposed to a commissioner and the director is the person of Mr. Gustavo Requena. He happens to be the brother of Mr. Oscar Requena. But I can say categorically that Mr. Requena was not hired because he is the brother of minister Requena. He interviewed, he applied, he has vast experience in community work, having worked as a teacher at the Julian Cho Technical High and also, he was an outreach officer. We are very pleased because he made his application, he comes qualified, he is committed, and he has really hit the ground running in terms of our office in the south at the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs. So, let me take this opportunity to dispel whatever notion there might be that there was any nepotism or any such thing. Belize is small, very small and so we have to go with the talent and experience and what an individual brings to the table. So I have to say so far that we are pleased with Mr. Requena and we will continue our work.”

Updates to Maya Land Rights Policy Following Backlash Says Minister

Minister Balderamos-Garcia also gave an update on her ministry’s work with the draft Maya Customary Land Rights Policy. Viewers will recall that the policy received significant objections from several Maya communities after its distribution. Minister Balderamos-Garcia says revisions have been made, and along with her new director, they are seeking to balance the playing field in the Toledo district. Here is what she told us.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs

“Our senior council, Mr. Marshalleck, along with Samantha Matute, we have gone back and looked at the policy and made a few adjustments to what was proposed. Because if you will remember, some of the Maya communities were saying that they didn’t like the section five, which gives you to begin with a concentric circle of a kilometer or two or three kilometers going out in terms of radius. They were not two happy about that. But I believe there was a misconception there. We were not saying to the Maya communities this is all the land you are going to get. What we were saying is that is your starting point without you having to prove use and occupation. Now one of the proposals in the policy is that if you wish to claim as communal land more than the two- or three-kilometers radius then you will have to prove use and occupation for at least thirty years. Some of them don’t want to hear that. But unfortunately, the government is not in a position to please one people, we have to create a balancing act. I can tell you that mister Requena will be reaching out to the non-Maya communities as well, Jacinto Ville, Yemeri Grove, Barranco, these are areas we also have to look at. We are waiting to hear from the legal advisor from the MLA group and then we will be reporting back to the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

Who’s Responsible for the Death of Jennifer Griffith?

A post-mortem examination of the body of forty-six-year-old Jennifer Griffith should determine what specifically caused her death and who is responsible. The resident of San Pedro Town was riding in a golf cart with her husband at the steering wheel on the northern end of San Pedro on Saturday night when they crashed into El Norte Bar. During the crash, Griffith reportedly suffered a head injury, but then she became embroiled in a fight with an employee of the establishment, who then used a conch shell to hit Griffith in the back of the head. Griffith, who refused medical attention, died the next morning. Today, Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez, who has just been reinstated as the Minister of the Blue Economy, told News Five that the incident should not shed any bad light on Ambergris Caye as far as tourism is concerned.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“There is a huge expat community in San Pedro due to the vicinity of Belize to the north, especially in the U.S., and also the weather and the quick connectivity, we have a huge community of expats. But of course, they’re retired, and what I’m told is that there was some kind of – it’s a weekend – there was some kind of drinking involved. But it was an unfortunate incident, but certainly not to do where we are throwing the image that you have to be careful, you’re going to get attacked. It seems to have been an altercation when you drink a little too much and you get involved.”

Perez Laments over Griffith’s Refusal to Receive Medical Assistance

Following the fight, Griffith was taken to the San Pedro Polyclinic that night and a test was prescribed for her head injuries, but she reportedly refused and left the clinic. But by morning, Griffith was in such bad shape and in so much pain that she returned to the clinic. Unfortunately by that time, it was too late. Minister Perez said that Griffith’s refusal to receive medical assistance was perhaps as bad as the incidents themselves.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“That is what I was told as well from the authorities is that she refused. She checked out herself. And for information, there is a brand new hospital there. It’s a private hospital, of course, in San Pedro that provides quality service in terms of CT scans, X rays and everything. And everything there was recommended and told by the hospital. And this person refused. So that’s another matter to be looking at again. I will not comment anymore on that because there is a police investigation that needs to carry on with that. So it’s an unfortunate incident.”

World Bank Projects 3.5% Growth in 2024 for Belize

The World Bank held its regional press conference today on the economic status of Latin American and Caribbean countries. According to the bank, the Latin American and Caribbean region has reached a critical juncture. According to the World Bank, while the region has made significant progress in economic stabilization over recent decades, growth has stalled, undermining progress. One of the greatest challenges for the region is crime, specifically the murder rate. So, what about Belize? News Five asked the Chief Economist for the region, William Maloney, what the World Bank’s projections are for Belize in 2024. He started first with the region’s challenges.

William Maloney, Chief Economist, LAC, World Bank Group

“A second challenge is the expanding in the presence of crime and organized crime as well. And violence, if we look at 1 measure of violence, lack is the highest homicide rates in the world. So you see the, so the central bars we’re at about 22.7 homicide 100, 000 population. That’s 10 times we’ve got in Asia and about 5 times we’ve got in North America and it’s about 5 times the level of countries with similar levels of income or poverty. And it’s even above countries with similar level of inequality. It’s related to organized crime, which is spreading throughout the region, even to countries where previously it was less evident and it’s now moved to being the principal social problem for 20 percent of Latin American Caribbeans. It’s ranked as in the as a top problem for 20%. This has big impacts for growth and for the quality of life of our citizens.”

Ana Elisa Luna, Communications Manager, LAC, World Bank Group

“From News Five Belize, how those Belize’s engagement with various IFIs, including the World Bank, contribute to the country’s long term development goals.”

William Maloney

“So, for Belize for 2024, we’re looking at 3. 5 percent and then 2. 5 percent going forward. Obviously, Belize is a reasonably small economy with a, a lovely tourism sector. We want to be more diversified. Any small economy would want to, but there are, it is constrained by scale. So, I’m not exactly sure what our programs are in Belize right now, but it’s possibilities for diversification are certainly worth looking at.”

Who Will be Belize City’s Next Administrator?

It has been about a month since the fatal shooting of Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt, who was the City Administrator up until that time. Lindo-Garbutt, described by everyone who met her as a charismatic and helpful person, was the victim of a domestic dispute that got out of control on the morning of March twelfth, when her husband, Oswald “Wally” Garbutt shot her and then himself at their home on Freetown Road in Belize City. The incident happened just days after the P.U.P. City Council slate was elected to office, and it put a delay on the first couple weeks of work until the new Council could proceed with its work without an administrator in office. According to Mayor Bernard Wagner, the deadline for the submission of applications for the post of City Administrator has come and gone and the Council will be conducting interviews soon. Thereafter it will make recommendations for ratification by Council. The Mayor did not indicate whether any of the applications were submitted by any current employee of the Council, but we expect a name will be announced in the coming days.

Ground Broken for Improvements at School in Gales Point Manatee

The quality of education for children in Gales Point Manatee is about to improve. Today, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of a brand-new preschool and the refurbishment of the existing primary school structure. The student population is a little under one hundred, but with students attending from surrounding communities and a new road, the school is anticipating some growth. News Five’s Paul Lopez travelled to the village today to find out more about the new project and how it will benefit the community.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Gales Point Manatee is getting a brand-new preschool and a fully refurbished primary school in the community.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“It is not a huge. I think has less than a hundred students. But we would like children from other communities to come here, for example Mullins River, Hope Creek and even from Dangriga, because some of the teachers are from those areas and the bus comes in everyday. But it is important for us to provide the top quality education for our children in this community. It being a rural community and I am very excited. The project has been in the making for about five years now. But the COVID pandemic really set us back for about two years. But we are very hopeful and confident that by December the Christmas present will be fully refurbished primary school and a brand new preschool.”

This morning a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the Gales Point Government School compound. The Belize Social Investment Fund made it possible. Executive Director Carlos Tun detailed what can be expected.

Carlos Tun, Executive Director, SIF

“One cornerstone of this project is the construction of a school building, meticulously designed to meet the standards outlined by international building codes and standards of the Ministry of Education. Spanning six hundred square feet, the facility will feature an open classroom, storage facilities, restroom for teachers and students, a shower facility and a covered verandah. With inclusivity, we will install an access ramp for individuals with physical disabilities, ensuring that every child has equal access. Furthermore, the preschool will be outfitted with essential toys and equipment, creating an enriching learning environment for our young leaders.”

Shermadine Andrewin has been an educator at the primary school for the past fifteen years. She says that the construction of a preschool will greatly increase access to early childhood education in her community. She also expressed the challenges the school faces with limited classrooms and teachers.

Shermadine Andrewin, Principal, Gales Point Government School

“I am very excited. I have been here for the past fifteen years and they haven’t been any renovations done to this government school. So I am excited to see we are getting a new preschool and we are getting our government school renovated and I think it wonderful.”

Paul Lopez

“What sort of challenges does it alleviate?”

Shermadine Andrewin

“In the past we had the dilapidated at the first preschool. We had animals, insects with the teachers and students within the building. We didn’t have our own bathroom and now we will have everything we deserve as teachers and students here at Gales Point Government School. We had multi grade and monograde because it is not only multi. We have infant one and two together, standard one and two together, and we have standard three, four, five and six separate.”

Reporter

“Are you hoping that one day the primary school will get more classrooms so everybody could have their own classrooms?”

Shermadine Andrewin

“Yes that would be very great and I am also a teacher principal. So it would be very good if I can only be an administrator or a teacher.”

And, according to Jason Altschaft, the Chairman of the village, the recently completed Coast Plain Highway has made access to the community and the school much easier for surrounding villages.

Jason Altschaft, Chairman, Gales Point Manatee Village

“The fact that enough people saw that this village is worthy of focused education on the young and growing community, that is priceless because we didn’t have to fight for it other than to stay up and say yes we want it, we want it, we want it. So, I think it is going to be excellent. We have always been known as a high population in youth because a lot of time parents had to go out and work and they would leave the children with the grandparents. That dynamic is now changing. With the road changing, it is going to allow more people to come and live back in the village and work and stay with the family.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

BelCan Bridge Needs Urgent Replacement

The BelCan Bridge, built by the Government of Canada several decades ago is in dire need of replacement as the structure is deteriorating over time. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development says that there is not much more work that can be done to refurbish the bridge because of its dire state. But the bridge should be replaced as soon as the government gives the go-ahead to welcome tendering for a new bridge at that location. Today, Chief Engineer with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Evondale Moody, told News Five that hopefully the project for that bridge will begin this year.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“It’s a structure that really needs to be replaced. It’s more critical than Hawksworth. Definitely, because of the structure that is there. We have seen based on the assessment that we have done that the pairs that are there are at risk because of the spalling of the concrete from the piles. And so definitely that is a bridge structure that needs to be replaced. We had initiated the procurement process for that replacement structure. However, that was put on hold by the Ministry of Finance. And so at this point in time, we are currently awaiting a decision from them that we could proceed with the construction of that structure. So it’s not within the Ministry of Infrastructure’s decision right now to go ahead. We have to wait until we get a final decision from the Ministry of Finance, but it is a structure that urgently needs to be replaced.”

Hawkesworth To Be Closed for Six Months for Repairs

But the Hawkesworth Bridge that connects San Ignacio and Santa Elena can serve the public for another twenty-five years, according to Moody. But that will only be after the one-lane suspension bridge undergoes repairs. The Hawkesworth, which has been around since 1949, needs to undergo extensive work that will take six months. But Moody assures the public that the new bridge, which is a two-lane structure, is more than adequate to handle the traffic in the twin towns until the bridge is reopened again.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“What the Ministry of Infrastructure did a few months ago was that we did an assessment of the existing Hawksworth bridge because we knew that It needed some kind of routine and periodic maintenance. And so what we did, we engaged a local consultant, Chias Engineering, for them to do an inspection and assessment of the bridge structure. As you’re aware, that bridge was opened, I think, in 1949. And so the structure itself is approximately 75 years old. Over time, the ministry has executed some repairs to the structure itself, mainly to the deck. However, at this point in time, we need to look at the main structure of, the bridge itself, which is the suspension structure, the cables, we have to look at the primary and secondary girders, we have to look at the deck for the vehicular traffic, and also the deck for the pedestrians. Based on the assessment that was carried out is recommended that we did some immediate. Periodic and maintenance works on that structure because we had some elements that are in need of critical maintenance. And so the idea was that we engage a contractor to do those works. So we went through a procurement process for us to engage a contractor. And that contractor that will be doing the works is Kyosteel Limited, and they will be supervised by Chia’s Engineering and also the MIDH. We have commenced some of those works under the bridge. However, it will take us more time for us to do the main and critical works that needs to be addressed on the suspension bridge itself. So in an effort to do those works and for safety as well we believe it was important for us to close the bridge structure for that duration, which is approximately six months, because they will be doing some sandblasting and other activities on the Structure where you will have workers working at high elevation, and so it’s important for us to keep your safety in mind and the safety of the motor in public as well that utilizes the bridge. And so in an effort to do that, the ministry thought it was critically important for us to close the structure, do those remedial works that needs to be done, and then reopen the structure once we’re completed.”