The C.E.O. of the Ministry of Economic Development, Doctor Osmond Martinez, wants to be the next Area Representative of Toledo East under the People’s United Party. Martinez explained that he is in the early stages of the process; however, he is hopeful that his endeavor will be successful. The problem here is that the P.U.P. already has an area representative for that division in the person of Mike Espat. Our information is that Espat is not too happy that Martinez is putting his hat in the ring. We asked him about that today.
Dr. Osmond Martinez, C.E.O., Ministry Economic Development “Well, it’s not a decision as yet, you know. There is a process that any person who wants to, to run for politics will have to go through. One of those is that you have to submit an application to the National Party Council. The National Party Council will have to accept you. So, for now, I am the CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development. When the time comes to submit an application, I will submit an application. But for now, I’m just the CEO. I am not an official person who is running. But yes, I will submit an application.”
Reporter “When do you believe may be that opportune time? And do you believe that will go smoothly with the party?”
Dr. Osmond Martinez “I don’t know when that opportune time will be. So I’m just for now, I’m just. What I have done is I have just tested the social medias and I am really impressed that I was well received in my home, which the places where I grow within the banana farms and Bella Vista Village.”
Today, the Statistical Institute of Belize revealed the preliminary results of the 2022 census. This census, which began in May of 2022, collected data from nine hundred fifty-six areas over the course of an eight-month period. The data was then analyzed by the S.I.B. to identify Belize’s population trends, demographics, and socioeconomic insights. The preliminary results revealed that Belize’s population has increased by twenty-three percent since 2010, with just over seventy-five thousand more people. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Belize’s population increased by twenty-three percent since 2010. There are about twenty-five point two percent more females and twenty-one point four pecent males than there were in 2010. Despite the increase in population to close to four hundred thousand, the rate at which it has been increasing has been declining steadily over the past few years. That’s because there are fewer births. Director General of the S.I.B., Diana Castillo-Trejo gave further insight into the trends.
Diana Castillo-Trejo
Diana Castillo-Trejo, Director General, S.I.B.
“We also saw a dramatic reduction in our dependency ratio. So, whereas in 2010, the dependency ratio was 60. 2%, and our dependency ratio is basically the ratio of persons who would not normally be a part of the labor force. So, our children 0 to 14 and persons older than 65, um, as a percent of the persons who would normally be in the labor force. So, persons age 15 to 64. So it, it gives you a ratio of your dependent population to your non dependent population. In 2010, our dependency ratio was over 60%. In 2022, it had fallen by more than 10 percentage points to just under 50%. And we can see that this was all due to a reduction in our child dependency ratio. Whereas we had a child dependency ratio of 50%. 53. 4 percent in 2010. This had fallen dramatically to 41. 3 percent in 2022. We also see the effects of those slightly longer lives in an increase in the old age dependency ratio.”
The census also revealed that the number of houses increased significantly, growing from seventy-nine thousand six hundred fifty-eight in 2010 to one hundred ten thousand, seven hundred nineteen. The number of persons dwelling within each household decreased from four per household to three point six. Deputy Director General of the SIB, Miriam Willoughby detailed these changes.
Miriam Willoughby
Miriam Willoughby, Deputy Director General, S.I.B.
“In terms of the population characteristics in 2022, the total household population stood at three hundred and eighty seven, three hundred and ninety 7,483, up 23.3%. Since the last census in 2010, Stan Creek District experienced the highest population growth at 40.3%. While Carole Ball had the lowest at 10. 4%. 50. 50.8 percent of the population were female compared to 48.2 percent male. 27. 6 percent of the population were below the age of 14. The national median age wasat 25 years of age. The share of the population We since 2010, and we had about 11.5 of the population that was born abroad, and almost one third of migrants came to Belize because of family reunification.”
Although the number of people migrating to Belize for the purpose of family reunification increased Doctor Osmond Martinez, CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development explained that, that did not signal a decline in the number of people migrating to Belize for employment.
Osmond Martinez
Dr. Osmond Martinez, C.E.O., Ministry Economic Development
“The statistics didn’t say only family relations because no, the hiring of people is more formal, formal. So if you ask the ministry of labor, for example, there has to, they have been creating a mechanism in place whereby we can import the labor force not to participate in the agro productive sector and the construction sector. If I’m not wrong, just a few days, you had a, an interview with the, uh, this, uh, cement factory, you know, who, who produce cement, uh, cement blocks, no. And there was no workers. To work on that field. And, and if you look at my speech, I actually, um, highlighted the service sector, the, uh, BPOs and the, um, and the tourism sector are boosting on our, um, their numbers are better off than where it was in 2019. So it has attracted. Young people, young, educated people who are well rewarded in terms of their salary. So they don’t want to go and work in the construction sector or the agro productive sector. So the citrus, banana, uh, the sugar industry continue to face challenges year after year. And so there is an importation of hundreds and hundreds of workers every year. So for example, in 2022. There were, uh, 21, 000 workers that were imported from Central America so that they can continue to contribute to our economy through the agro productive and construction sector.”
This year’s Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be the most active ever recorded. Two months ahead of the official start of the season, a team of experts from Colorado State University is forecasting twenty-three named storms, including eleven hurricanes and five major hurricanes. Forecasters are pointing to two main factors that could contribute to an extremely active hurricane season: historically warm ocean temperatures and an impending La Nina. Meteorologists, including those in Belize, hold the university’s forecast in high regard because of the team’s accuracy in their reports. So, today we spoke with Chief Meteorologist, Ronald Gordon, about what Belize can expect this hurricane season.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist, National Meteorological Service
“The forecast from Colorado State University has been issued and they’re predicting a very active, 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season. If my memory serves me right, the figure they issued is for twenty-three named storms, eleven hurricanes, and about five major hurricanes. That forecast is early, preliminary. We are in April and from what we have seen in the past there is some limited skills to those early season forecast. Notwithstanding that CSQ has indicated they have an above normal confidence in this forecast and the reason for this is because the predictors are suggesting it is going to be quite active. In terms of what it means for Belize, whenever you have the odds for a higher than normal season it would indicate that the odds for us are also higher than normal that one could come our way. So we know that the twenty-three named storms that are predicted all of them will not come here or go in one direction, that is a prediction for the entire basin. However, because you know that it is a super active season, the odds of us having one is increased. The figures I have from CSU is that the typical average for us getting a named storm within fifty miles of our coastline, the average is at forty-two percent. This year it is at sixty percent. So there is a higher probability of a storm coming near to us. And one thing I failed to mention in terms of the total numbers is the average. The average for their to fourteen named storms, of those fourteen seven typically becomes hurricanes and three of those become major hurricanes and that is an average over the last thirty years from 1991 to 2020.”
As we mentioned, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season does not officially begin until the first of June. But early forecasts like the one coming out of Colorado State University provide an opportunity to review hurricane plans way in advance. Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon is advising the nation to do just that. He warns that those living along coastal Belize should especially put mitigating measures into place to reduce risks.
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist, National Meteorological Service
“To mention at this point what level of preparations people should do is at this point you want to review your hurricane plan. We are still of course I believe about two months plus from the start of the hurricane season. We do know that you could have systems out season as well, but the official start is on June the first, so what we encourage our residents to always do is ensure that you are fine tuning those plans at the moment to know what measures you will take, whether you will need to evacuate, what measures you will need to take to reinforce your house to withstand at least a category two or three hurricane or even a major hurricane for that matter and also if you are able to afford insurance now is a good time to look at it because the prediction is going for an active season and as I mentioned before, that means there is a higher risk of one coming our way. So if you can afford insurance that is a good thing to look at and that type of thing nuh to ensure you are prepared for the event that sort of thing comes your way. In terms of any particular part of the country, we do know that our entire coastline is vulnerable to hurricanes. There is no doubt about it. If you are way down south, Punta Gorda and below, it is rare that you can any sort of direct landfall. We do know that you have secondary effects from systems making landfall in Central America, which includes excessive rainfall. So to summarize, there is no particular location on the coast of Belize that is exempt. It is important that all communities that are in the direct path of these systems prepare in advance and take measures to mitigate any possible impact from any possible landfall system this season.”
A man lost his life in a road traffic accident on George Price Boulevard in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town on Friday night. The victim, fifty-four-year-old Polito August, was on a motorcycle when he collided with a Kia Soul, which was driven at the time by thirty-six-year-old Jimmy Leslie. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told reporters today that Leslie has been served with a notice of intended prosecution.
“Information is that the Kia Soul was being driven by Jimmy Leslie, thirty-eight-years when he came out of a lane and the motorcycle being driven by Polito August collided with the vehicle. N. I. P. was served. A sketch plan drawn. Investigation carried out. And since then, Jimmy Leslie, has been arrested and charged for the crimes of drove motor vehicle that you cannot change attention, causing death by careless conduct. He will be taken to court today.”
Reporter
“How did the collision happen?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“The vehicle came out of a lane and the motorcycle collided into it.”
Reporter
“Was alcohol involved?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“A sample was obtained and we await the results of those.”
Meanwhile in Belize City, a man was knocked down and killed. It happened on Saturday night on Central American Boulevard. Police responded to a report of a person lying motionless on the road. Upon arrival, they found the motionless body of a male individual who has yet to be identified. It is believed that it was a hit and run. Police are investigating.
Tragedy struck the Santánder Sugar Factory in Valley of Peace, Cayo, on Saturday. Thirty-four-year-old Khalil Hewlett of Teakettle Village suffered an accident while working and died at the scene. He sustained injuries to his face, head, and leg. Hewlett, who had been employed at the company for more than five years, is the second person to die because of an accident on the compound. In February, fifty-three-year-old Anastacio Vasquez died in a freak accident.
A man is hospitalized at the Western Regional Hospital after being shot by a woman. Forty-nine-year-old Ronald Gibson is also under police guard and that’s because he attempted to rib the woman who shot him. It happened on Friday night along Independence Park. Police Commissioner Chester Williams said Gibson will be charged after he is released from the hospital.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“On Friday night, a lady was working on the sidewalk in Belmopan upon she andher daughter were accosted by a male person who demanded that they hand over their properties. The lady took out her license firearm and ordered the person to stop and he made a move towards her and she fired one single shot at him with her license firearm causing injuries to his stomach region. He was taken to the hospital or the Western Regional Hospital where he received treatment and is currently admitted in a stable condition and a police guard. It is our hope that once he is released from the hospital that he’ll be charged for the crime of attempted robbery.”
It is officially pageant week for the Miss Universe Belize 2024 contestants, which signals the approach of competition day. For months, ten women have been preparing to become the next candidate to represent Belize on the world stage. Today, as a start to Pageant Week, the crown that will adorn the head of the next Miss Universe Belize was unveiled. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the big reveal today to learn more about its creation and the preparation for pageant week. Here’s the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Miss Universe Belize Pageant 2024 is just a few day away and the contestants are eager to participate. Pageant week was officially launched today with the reveal of the crown that the next Miss Universe Belize will wear during her reign. The National Director of the Miss Universe Belize Foundation shared her excitement over the reveal and its proceedings.
Destinee Arnold
Destinee Arnold, National Director, Miss Universe Belize Foundation
“Today kicks off the official pageant week for the Miss Universe Police Delegates. Today, right now specifically, we are revealing the crown that a title holder will continue to wear in the next coming years. About three years we plan to utilize this crown. This is a crown that’s very special to us. It took a lot of thought and specially designed by one of our designers. So the crown is special because it is unique to Belize. Um, Belize was the inspiration behind the design of the crown. I don’t want to get into too much detail because we will be disclosing that during the crown reveal. But no one will have this crown but our title holder. So we are really excited about it. Specifically, even the material that it is made out of, um, is quite special. So I’m really excited to reveal it all to you all.”
We spoke with a few delegates to learn how they are feeling in the days leading up to the pageant in Mexico. Contestant seven, Monilee Aspinall said that she was excited to see her training in action on the big stage.
Monilee Aspinall
Monilee Aspinall, Delegate, Miss Universe Belize 2024
“I am super excited. It’s definitely been a journey of highlighting all the things that I’m capable of personally, the areas that I need assistance with, as well as developing a really great sisterhood along with the committee and the other delegates. I think at this point, it’s just carrying through with the preparation we’ve been doing for the past few months. Outfits, hair, walking, training with the way we do it. the way that we’re carrying ourselves and our words. And so now it’s just kind of an accumulation of all that hard work that we’ve been putting in and I’m super excited to see it on stage.”
Contestant one, Mikayla Gongora expressed that while she was nervous, she was also eager to showcase her hard work.
Mikayla Gongora
Mikayla Gongora, Delegate, Miss Universe Belize 2024
“I’m feeling extremely anxious, excited. Overall preparation for this. It’s been, it’s been a journey. It’s been exciting. Mostly the hesitation has been all about the mental work for all of this, but I feel extremely prepared more than excited, ready to hit the stage with all of. I think that I’m really prepared for this.”
Contestant ten, Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy said that she was determined to be an ambassador for her country and showcase her talents during the show.
Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy
Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy, Delegate, Miss Universe Belize 2024
“I’m feeling really good. I feel very prepared. Um, I worked really hard up until this point preparing, like, in an all encompassing way with not just working out, but walking, question and answer, things like that. So I feel really good. I feel really prepared. And the emotions are excitement because now the week is here and this is just a week long job interview. That’s how, that’s how I’m looking at it because, um, to be a Miss Belize, means that you’re an ambassador for your country and you have to be a diplomat and leverage that to put Belize on the map. So, I take that very seriously. And so I’m excited to put my best foot forward when it comes to that.”
The crown was made by a local engineering student, Inga Woods-Waight who modelled the crown to emulate Belize. She said that the crowns gold accents, draws inspiration from the Belize’s national flower, the Black Orchid. Five black orchid-shaped flowers embellish the crown to reflect the rich diversity and allure of Belize. The clear glass symbolizes clarity of purpose and vision, while the gold accents represent resilience and strength. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The total solar eclipse that occurred today in some parts of Mexico, the U.S., and Canada was only a partial one in most other countries. In Belize, for those who tried to capture the event, it was a mere forty percent blockage of the sun by the moon. But your efforts might have been in vain, depending on where you were, because some parts of the country were cloudy just as the eclipse was occurring around eleven-eighteen this morning. Chief Meteorologist, Ronald Gordon said the sky did get dark, but cloud cover was an issue to contend with.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist, National Meteorological Service
“I certainly don’t have the specialized equipment to go there and look at the sun. So I did not do that. But I want to say that, from my own observation, it got a bit darker. I think it wasn’t that significant that I had predicted, or as we had mentioned, I believe before that it was a 40 percent occlusion for this particular eclipse, a partial eclipse. So we didn’t expect it to even be as dark as the one that we had in October last year, which had more. Obstruction or occlusion, so certainly it wasn’t as dark as that 1 and I think unfortunately for residents in my area. I don’t know about where. The entire country, but certainly in Belize today, even with a little area, it was a bit cloudy. So certainly if you had the. The specialized sunglasses to go there and look at it, it may have been a bit disappointing because for the most part, it was a bit cloudy.”
