May, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Tackling Road Safety Concerns as Fatal Accidents Increase

In April, there was an increase in road traffic accidents across the country, many of which involved the deaths of motorcyclists. It’s alarming, and the Ministry of Economic Development wants to curb the number of traffic fatalities. A program specifically designed to spread awareness of motorcycle safety is expected to be launched soon. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the first look.

Survivor, Road Traffic Accident

“I was on the roundabout heading home, when I saw this car just merging into the roundabout as well. I thought it would stop as it’s supposed to, right? But it didn’t stop, so that’s when it hit the back of my bike. Then I went flying into the air, and at that moment I, the only thing I could do was put my hands down to protect myself as well as I can. Because of the lack of protective gear. I suffered some really deep cuts, some abrasions, really bad scrapes, the nurses really had to clean me out really well. They had to scrub all my injuries. That was one of the worst experiences and worst pains I’ve ever felt.”

Britney Gordon, Reporting

If you’ve noticed an alarming increase in road traffic incidents across the country, you’re not alone. April alone registered a record number of road traffic fatalities, several of which involved motorcyclists. To address the increase in these incidents, the Ministry of Economic Development launched its second phase of the Belize Road Safety Initiative, which works to increase public safety on the road through the spread of information and training. Sylvian Neal, office administrator of the project, spoke with us today about the initiative.

Sylvian Neal, Office Administrator, Second Belize Road Safety Project

“We deal with initiatives such as a road user and education awareness component. We have an enforcement component. We have post-crash care as one of the components. And many of our activities, they go under one of these components, and the basic idea is again to improve road safety in Belize, build the awareness of everybody in Belize, and to improve the culture on our world.”

Neal said that the team has observed an increase in the number of motorcycle crashes and is preparing to launch a campaign specifically geared towards motorcycle safety.

Sylvian Neal

“It’s more of an educational campaign because we do have various campaigns geared towards speeding. are geared towards not drinking and driving. We have been rolling out many of those campaigns as the year has progressed up to now, no? And the specific campaign that I am referring to with regards to the motorcycle riders or users is basically one that we are still undergoing right now, and that includes developing flyers pamphlets, and then of course we have the videos that we try to send out to the media and also post on our social platform on the Facebook pages and TikToks and whatnot, no? All of that campaign includes those different aspects.”

Also working on the project is a member of the Belizean Youth for Road Safety, Jada Brown, who was trained by the team to educate drivers and assist in making Belize’s roads safer.

Jada Brown, Member, Belizean Youth for Road Safety

“So now we have more people wanting to know about road safety, they’re interested in learning about road safety. So a big part of what we do is share important messages for fellow drivers and also people. Just road users on a whole, not only drivers.”

Britney Gordon

“How about when it’s closer to the holidays? Do you guys increase your efforts around that time in order to combat, the increase of traffic and alcohol usage?”

Jada Brown

“Yes. A big part of what we do, we around those times we would spread more messages like the infographics and commercials geared around those times because there’s a spike of crashes and incidents around those times. So we tend to push more messages around those times, especially for people drinking and driving, wearing helmets and seatbelts.”

The Road Safety Initiative also aids in promoting road safety through the training of public service members who operate vehicles daily. Krishner Ramirez from the Department of Transportation shared his experience with the program.

Krishner Ramirez, Traffic Warden II, Department of Transportation

“It gives me a lot more knowledge on a broader sense to basically educate the public and have the public have an insight of what Really traffic and what basically everything that has to do with traffic on the road and the highways, the vehicles. It gives more knowledge to them to the work that we’re doing. So I praise these guys for basically having this energy to do this kind of work for us so that the public can have more knowledge of what’s going on.”

Ramirez said that the initiative is a noble cause, as lives can be saved through sharing information, no matter how small.

Krishner Ramirez

“To tell you the truth I would have to go with educating the public. Like I said we in Belize tend to have a tendency, me working on the ground in the field, and you stop and check these guys at the checkpoint scene. They give you information like, Oh, we didn’t know this. We didn’t know that. We didn’t know this, so with these guys, influentials, bringing these flyers out and educating the youths, them from a younger age and even the adults, it’s a beautiful thing. I think it’s one of the best things we’ve been doing since years. We’re just trying to promote more safety and more safety because of the fact that exactly what you just said, we’ve been seeing a lot more higher percentage in these incidents, especially on the motorbikes. And it’s sad, it leaves family broken, kids alone, and it’s a sad thing.”

As the number of drivers on the roads increases , Neil reminds motorists to be diligent and abide by traffic laws.

Sylvian Neil

“To motorcyclists, we urge our motorcycle riders to try and wear proper helmets, right? Wear the fully covered helmets, the ones that fully cover your face, DOT certified helmets, because those are the ones that are going to better protect you in case you crash, in case of a collision, right? It fully protects your head from head injuries, right? And We don’t want to see people riding with helmets on their handles, right? Because the helmet isn’t really there just for style. It’s really something to protect you, right? From impact. So we ask that you wear seatbelts, lock it, reduce speeding, don’t overtake”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Eden SDA is being MoRe Healthy

For the past few months, the Ministry of Education’s MoRe Campaign has been rolled out across the country, highlighting schools doing “more” through five main pillars. Schools across the region eagerly submitted their accounts of how they’ve surpassed expectations in these areas. Among the standout submissions was Eden S.D.A. Primary School, whose exemplary efforts we’re excited to showcase tonight. One particularly inspiring aspect of Eden S.D.A.’s commitment was its holistic approach to promoting healthy dietary habits among students. Their dedication to not just healthier eating, but a vegetarian lifestyle, caught our immediate attention. Sabreena Daly found out more in this week’s Look on the Bright Side.

Sabreena Daly

“Ava, what’s inside your burrito? “

Ava

“Beans, vegetables, cheese, meat.”

Sabreena Daly

“Meat? And you like it? Is it yummy?”

Ava

“Uh huh.”

Sabreena Daly

“And why do you like your burrito?”

Xaia

“I like it because it tastes nice.”

Reactions of approval from the student body as children munch their afternoon meal prepared by the school’s cafeteria. Only, Ava and Xaia have no idea that it’s not meat in their burrito.

Sabreena Daly

“What’s inside that burrito if there’s no meat? Because the burrito has meat in there.”

Brian Landero, Student, Eden SDA Primary School

“It has soy meat, um, coleslaw and beans.”

Eden SDA Primary School is one of forty primary schools across the country benefitting from the Ministry of Education’s Healthy Start school feeding program. The initiative was developed to ensure that every child receives a nourishing meal during the school day.

Kathleen Juan, National Coordinator for School Feeding, Ministry of Education
“Our students spend a lot of time on school campuses. So that’s our goal as a ministry to enable all of our campuses to make it easier for children to be healthy.”

The World Health Organization reports a significant rise in global obesity, affecting over one billion people, with rates doubling in adults and quadrupling in children and adolescents since 1990. While undernutrition persists as a major concern in regions like South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean faces the challenges of high rates of underweight and obesity. This was just one of the conditions in mind when the Ministry of Education considered a way to enforce healthier eating habits within schools, according to Kathleen Juan.

Kathleen Juan
“We offer the school the opportunity for every student in the school to get a free meal. Now, some schools are able to do that because they have the capacity with their kitchens and their cooks because we want every student to be getting the same meal and it’s a healthy meal. We’re looking to kind of Use positive peer pressure. Oh, all of the students are eating this, so I’ll eat it too. Even if I don’t really like fruits or vegetables, this is the school meal. It’s healthy. I’ll eat it. We are also working on the sugar, sweet and beverage ban pilot with the Ministry of Health. So that’s another component. We’re asking schools to stop selling cokes and sugar, sweets and beverages. Give the Children a healthier choice instead because we need these Children not only to be healthy now, but the choice choices and what they’re learning now is hopefully going to follow them into adulthood so that they are healthier adults.”

The implementation of this initiative could not come at a better time if you ask Eden SDA Primary School’s principal, Sharon Carr-Lopez.

Sharon Carr Lopez, Principal, Eden SDA Primary School

“Most of the time our kids used to come to school without eating because we do have kids who come from low income families. And so when we learned of it, we said, this is our chance. And so from January or January of this year, we started the feeding program with the help of the ministry. It has been a blessing.”

This was also an added opportunity for the school to enforce the spiritual belief that the healthiest meal is one without meat.

Sharon Carr Lopez
“So, one of the principles that we have for the Seventh day Adventist church, or schools around the world, is that we don’t offer meat on campus in most schools. We look at it because we want the child to be spiritually minded, we want the child to be healthy. And so we are used to more natural foods.”

Aidan Landero expressed that he was never big on eating his veggies, but with his school removing meat from the menu, he has grown accustomed to the change.

Aidan Landero, Student, Eden SDA Primary School

“Before, I didn’t really used to like veggies much, but, since they started giving it almost every day, it’s only natural that I started to like it. Sometimes I do miss the meat, but, since they give veggies and other stuff, they’re also very healthy, so I don’t really miss it too much.”

Kathleen Juan
“What we tell the principals is it’s okay if the kids aren’t really happy with it at first, but just keep providing them the chance, the opportunity to get more familiar with the fruits and the vegetables in the hopes that they will start accepting it because what we find is that the kids are telling us Well, we don’t get a lot of fruits and vegetables on our campus, so we don’t eat it during the day because it’s not there. We’re saying, give it to them, have it be there for them, let them make that choice, and you might be surprised by the kids, how much they are willing to accept it, and how much they enjoy it.”

Eden SDA Primary was also recognized for going the extra mile and adding an additional free meal for its student population of approximately three hundred. Every morning, each student gets to start the school day with a fruit juice or a fruit bowl.

Sharon Carr Lopez
“When the feeding program came in we said well this is our chance, let’s do the juicing or the fruit slices as well in the morning so that the kids can have. We have kids who come to school and they don’t eat. Ms. Juan mentioned that we could have chosen which meal to have given the students. But we chose lunch because most times, kids don’t have the time to go home and eat. And even if they go home and eat, there’s nothing there because nobody’s at home. And so we prefer doing lunch for them. And so, having that juice in the morning or a healthy snack and lunch, I mean, you can’t ask for more, right?”

And this all encompassing idea of health and wellness does not stop there. From a playground for the energetic children, to backyard gardening that ensures the feeding program’s sustainability, Eden SDA Primary is an example of doing more and being more healthy. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

Caribbean gangs setting up ‘franchises’ around the region

The Caymen Compass is reporting that powerful Caribbean gangs are establishing ‘franchises’. They are using music promoters and performers as a front for their illegal activities, which include drug trafficking, gun smuggling, and human trafficking.

The article says that these powerful gangs are now venturing into smaller islands, introducing unprecedented levels of violence in communities previously untouched by such serious criminal activities. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Jones, head of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) emphasised that these criminal networks often have ties to Caribbean nationals residing in the United States, who facilitate the influx of weapons into the region.

*Container checks in the Bahamas as part of Operation Trigger. – Photo: Interpol media*

There is a growing sophistication and transnational nature of these criminal groups, stressing the need for law enforcement to match this development to effectively combat organised crime. He warned that the fractured nature of policing across over 30 island nations and territories spanning 1,000 square miles of open sea is being exploited by criminals.

To tackle this challenge, Jones emphasised the necessity of enhanced coordination and cooperation among Caribbean nations, potentially including the establishment of a pan-Caribbean coast guard.

Jones emphasised that transnational organised crime involves a close connection between arms trafficking, drug smuggling, gang activities, and human trafficking throughout the region. He pointed out evidence of gangs composed of multiple nationalities and diaspora groups associated with specific countries, operating in coordination across borders.

BSI says Independent Expert Affirms Justification of Port Charges

Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) says that Hugh O’Brien has determined that the terminal handling charges and throughput fees are justified port charges.

In a release, BSI stated, “He also concluded that the industry is saving significant costs from the transition to the Port of Big Creek through more efficient loading. Therefore, based on his findings, these charges remain in the commercial agreement, and cane price estimates issued thus far for the 2023–24 crop stay unchanged.”

BSI and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) commissioned O’Brien to conduct an analysis of terminal handling charges and throughput fees as part of a two-year commercial agreement. The objective was to assess whether these costs, disputed by the BSCFA, qualify as justified port charges. O’Brien was also tasked with comparing the current throughput fee and stevedoring costs at the Port of Big Creek with those previously incurred at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL).

UN General Assembly votes to back Palestinian bid for membership

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has endorsed a Palestinian request to qualify for full membership in the UN, urging the UN Security Council to “reconsider the matter favorably.”

In a vote held on Friday, the 193-member UNGA conducted a global assessment of support for the Palestinian bid to attain full UN membership, which had been blocked by the United States in the UN Security Council the previous month. The assembly passed a resolution on Friday with 143 votes in favor, nine against (including the US and Israel), and 25 abstentions. This resolution does not grant full UN membership to the Palestinians but acknowledges their eligibility to join.

The UNGA resolution “affirms that the State of Palestine … should therefore be admitted to membership” and “recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably.”

Although the UNGA lacks the authority to confer full UN membership, the adopted resolution on Friday will grant the Palestinians certain additional rights and privileges starting from September 2024, such as a seat among UN members in the assembly hall, although they will not have a vote in the body.

New Ranger Station Inaugurated at Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve

The official opening of the Jaguar Station at Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve marks a significant milestone in conservation efforts. The new reserve was made possible by the generous support of dedicated partners such as the GEF Small Grants Programme – Belize, and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change.

The establishment of the Jaguar Station provides rangers with a secure base to enhance surveillance and protection of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. This is a significant development for conservation efforts. The ceremony, held in western Belize, celebrated the establishment of the Jaguar Station, replacing the former basic accommodations that posed challenges for the reserve’s rangers.

The construction of this state-of-the-art facility totaled $450,000.

12 Belize Culinarians Complete Diploma in Culinary Arts Program

Twelve Belizean chefs recently completed the Diploma in Culinary Arts Program. According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), this achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the BTB, the Ministry of Education, and the esteemed partnership with Florida International University / Accelerating Leaders.

BTB says, “After months of dedication and hard work, our culinarians have mastered various culinary skills including cold food preparation, meats and seafood, soups, stews, and sauces, food and kitchen safety, cultures and cuisines, introductory food science, and menu design.”

PM To Meet With Mexican Electricity Supplier Over Power Outages

Tonight, we begin the news with a recurrent issue that has become a serious concern for anyone who does not have access to a generator – power outage. Earlier today parts of the country experienced a power outage that lasted almost six hours. But while Belize Electricity Limited has reasoned that load-shedding, which is even distribution of the power outages, is necessary to maintain the stability of the national grid, it did not offer a reason for the extended blackout. The outage was beyond annoying, especially for people whose job sites and homes are not equipped with generators to beat the heat. B.E.L. has not given notices of the continuous “load-shedding”, which suggests that the outages are not planned. It mentioned in a notice that its teams continue to work to restore power with the help of its Westlake gas turbine. Prime Minister John Briceno says he will be northbound on Saturday to meet with CFE representatives in Cancun, Mexico.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“BEL’s mandate is transmission and distribution and I know that in many instances, BEL was trying to also produce energy, but that’s not their mandate. What has failed is the process in the previous government with the PUC and I know that the PUC and BEL have always been having this struggle and my message to both of them is we have to stop this foolishness and we need to be able to work together and I believe that we’re seeing that now. The PUC, BEL and the Ministry of Energy all have to be able to work together. So on Saturday, after the funeral of the late Honourable Mike Espat then I’ll fly to Cancun to meet with AMLO and officials from CFE to see how they’d be able to stop the blackouts in Belize. As the CEO of BEL has explained, we have two engines that are going to be commissioned. One is this week, which is about 30 megawatts and once we do that, then we would be able to hold out own. Fortunately, we have already bought a 21 megawatt [engine] that is already stationed in San Pedro. That should be commissioned by the end of the month. Once we have that, that would give us a capacity of about 51 megawatts of electricity. It means that is CFE would need to cut off Belize, these generators could take over without anybody losing electricity and then once CFE can provide to us then we can shut down these engines and get again from Mexico. I know some people ask why would we buy from the Mexicans. We buy from the Mexicans because it is cheaper than using the diesel engines. So we have a plan. I understand the frustration. Myself get upset when my house gets blackout because my house gets blackout too.”

Reporter

“You don’t have a generator?

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t have a generator (chuckles) so I understand the frustration and it has a direct impact on all the work that we’ve been doing these three years, in tourism, the economy, the call centres, in agriculture, production, so we cannot afford this.”

PM Says Belize’s Rapid Economic Growth is Responsible for Power Supply Issues

The Prime Minister said that the country is experiencing power outages because of the rapid rate of the country’s growth. He described it as being victims of our own success.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“BEL projected the level of energy that we’re using, we would have been using it in 2028. We are a victim of our own success. The economy has grown so fast that we’re consuming so much energy for 2028 in 2024 and that is why we’re caught in this, but no excuses. We have to make sure to fix the problem.”

Portico Developer Says He Hired Morales/Peyrefitte to Draft Definitive Agreement

As you heard last night, developer David Gegg said that someone from the previous government solicited campaign financing from him prior to the 2020 general elections and informed him via message that it would be the requirement for him to receive environmental clearance for the project. Gegg said that he did not facilitate the stipulation, but after having several meetings with the relevant parties, he felt certain that the project would materialize and hired the law firm of Morales-Peyrefitte to draft up the Definitive Agreement.

David Gegg, Portico Developer

“Having provided all the necessary documents to all parties, and with our environmental studies nearing completion, and having no reason to believe that they would not pass muster, we retained the services of the law firm of Morales Peyrefitte LLP, as a Definitive Agreement was now needed. That firm was recommended to me as a firm that had experience with the drafting and negotiating of agreements with the government. I, at that time, instructed Mr David Morales to draft the Definitive Agreement in conjunction with attorneys from Boskalis in the Netherlands. After several months and after amendments were made by the relevant parties, the draft Definitive Agreement was forwarded on June first, 2021 to Ministers Panton, Peyrefitte, and Contreras.”