The social partners are calling for full disclosure of documents related to the government’s six-point-nine-million-dollar land acquisition for the new University Hospital. Earlier this month, the Belize Chamber of Commerce, the Belize Network of NGOs, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, and the Belize Council of Churches invoked the Freedom of Information Act. They sent a letter to Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde and Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard, requesting all pertinent information regarding the land purchase from Kenny Zheng and Annie Zhu. The letter to Minister Bernard specifically asks for a copy of the technical report and the minutes from the hospital’s working group meetings. Prime Minister John Briceño assured that the request will be addressed, at least partially, within a week.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“They’ve been asking for the technical report for the Ministry of Health, and yes, we will turn it over to them shortly.”
Reporter
“As well as the Sale Agreement and all ah dehn thing from Lands and Finance.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I don’t know if they asked for that, but again. We’re flogging a dead horse. We have made everything available. What’s more is the agreement – the DPM has explained what the agreement is all about. There’s nothing more. But I could understand that they want to see the technical report. So we should be able to get that to them probably in the next week or so.”
In a recent survey by Viking Strategies, the electorate’s views on various pressing issues were brought to light, including the popularity of political parties, individual politicians, and the perceived corruption within the current administration. Briceño commented that corruption is largely a matter of perception and emphasized that restoring the electorate’s full confidence will be a gradual process. He also highlighted a positive takeaway from the survey: over half of the respondents believe that the government is steering the country in the right direction.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I have taken a look, but I’ve not had a chance to really sit down and to study but things that jump out on you overall that people are happy with the government and that they believe that we’ve been doing a pretty good job but like in everything there’s always more to be done. The issue of corruption, the numbers have gone down somewhat but people are still concerned about corruption and rightly so because it’s just people’s perceptions, in many instances, it’s perception, and it will take some time to be able to win back the people’s full confidence and for them to – for corruption not to be in the top of their minds, because they recognize that the country is going in the right direction for the first time since these polls are being conducted. The majority, more than 50 percent believe that we’re going in the right direction, but yes, crime is an issue. We know that. Corruption is always a perception there, and it will take time for us to be able to address those issues.”
When questioned about the People’s United Party’s prospects in the upcoming elections, the Prime Minister expressed cautious optimism. He acknowledged that taking voters for granted is never wise, but he firmly believes that the P.U.P. has earned the electorate’s trust and support once more. Briceño also took the opportunity to remind everyone of the dire economic situation the P.U.P. inherited in late 2020 and their remarkable turnaround since then.
John Briceño
John Briceno, Leader, People’s United Party
“We could never take the people for granted and people could change their minds overnight for whatever reasons, but if things stay as they are right now, I feel I’m confident that when we call elections that we are going to get a second mandate to continue to build on what we have done. We need to remind ourselves where we were. We were in a deep hole, and we’ve managed to come out of the hole and people are starting to – the country is moving forward and Belizeans are seeing it. Belizeans are feeling it. Yes, there’s a lot more to be done. Yes, we can do better, but the point is that by any metrics that you want to use, or by any measurements that you may want to use, we have done exceedingly well, beyond the expectations of most people over the last four and a half years. So I believe that when the elections are called, that I think that we’ll be able to get the support once again, to continue building on what we have done for another five years.”
The survey reveals that Briceño currently stands as the most popular politician in Belize. When asked about his reaction to this accolade, he expressed humility and gratitude, particularly towards those closest to him who help keep him grounded on key issues. He also shared a personal touch, mentioning that alongside managing the nation’s affairs, he juggles family chores and relies on the unwavering support of friends and family, whom he thanked for their invaluable assistance.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’m humbled but we just have to continue working. That’s all I can say, continue to work and to continue to keep your foot grounded. I have to give credit to people like Rossana and Jaime, and even my children because when I get home, Rossana tells me “Tonight is your turn to wash dishes.” So I have to go wash dishes, you know. And then I have close friends like Narda and Stuart and Eamon that would constantly be – and Jaime of course, who would always be calling my attention. If they believe that they see something is going wrong. So you’ll need people that can tell you, Hey, not everything is perfect. If you do something wrong that they can call you. And I think that helps you to keep to keep me grounded in politics.”
On Friday, Devin Daly, the People’s United Party’s (P.U.P.) Standard Bearer for Collet, held a press briefing to formally introduce himself to the media and discuss his entry into the political arena. Daly, a proud native of Collet, emphasized his deep roots in the community and his commitment to personally connect with each voter throughout his campaign. Daly’s candidacy is seen as a strategic move by P.U.P. Leader John Briceño, who believes Daly will present a formidable challenge to the United Democratic Party’s (U.D.P.) incumbent, Patrick Faber. Briceño explained that the party took its time in selecting a candidate to ensure they found a strong contender capable of rivaling Faber’s established presence in the constituency.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Leader, People’s United Party
“We wanted to ensure that we have a winnable candidate. We didn’t want to just throw somebody in there to say we have thirty-one candidates. I set the timeline of the thirty-first of August. We’re looking hard to see how we can find somebody and we have a very good candidate. We have a very good candidate. And I think for the first time we have – the representative will have a very hard time now. We have a very good candidate against him.”
Tonight, heartbreak strikes yet another family as they mourn the loss of their loved one in a tragic road traffic accident over the weekend. On Sunday, around eleven p.m., thirty-year-old Nicky Waight was on his motorcycle heading towards the San Ignacio Police Station when he suddenly lost control and crashed near the Low-lying Bridge, resulting in fatal injuries. This devastating incident adds to a series of deadly accidents this month, underscoring the urgent need for improved road safety measures. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story.
Britney Gordon, reporting
Tragically, Belize has lost another life to a road traffic accident. This month alone, it feels like we’ve been reporting on such heartbreaking incidents every week. These aren’t just statistics; they represent real people whose lives have been cut short. The latest victim is thirty-year-old Nicky Waight, a dedicated police officer from the Cayo district. Nicky was on his way to the San Ignacio Police Station when he tragically lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. His mother, Everett Waight, shared with us that Nicky was a hardworking family man, deeply committed to his loved ones and his duty.
Everett Waight
Everett Waight, Mother of the Deceased
“Well he was a person that worked. He is in the department for ten years. He used to live in Belmopan and he used to come here every day come visit me and then because he has a child, eight-year-old, he used to come and stay with her a little while and help out with her homework and then take her house in Santa Familia.”
Everett reminded her son every day to be careful on the road, but that night she did not.
Everett Waight
“Four o’clock he had shift. Every day he had shift four o’clock till twelve. Then he used to come and say bye mom and I tell him bye hijo, take care. Every day I used to tell him take care but unfortunately Sunday night. I didn’t know my son was going to go that Sunday night.”
Nicky had been an officer in the force for over ten years and traveled that route for the past three, without any major incidents.
Everett Waight
“From he married to his wife. About three years he is traveling from San Ignacio to Belmopan.”
Britney Gordon
“So for three years now, it has been the norm for him to go up and down on these roads. Ans this incident is completely out of the norm for him.”
Everett Waight
“Yes.”
Another person was injured during the incident. Jessica Escobar, who was also traveling on a motorcycle, collided with Waight’s fallen cycle after his initial accident. According to police, she is in a stable condition.
“On Sunday police responded to a fatal road traffic accident in Santa Elena at the Low-Lying Bridge. Upon arrival, police two motorcycles on the bridge and the lifeless body of Nicky Waight, The thirty-years Belizean police officer was seen. Also Jessica Escobar with injuries to her arm and shoulder. Investigation revealed that the was driving a motorcycle. He was on duty at the time. He lost control of his motorcycle, so when he fell on the motorcycle, the other female was coming across the bridge and hit the motorcycle and she received injuries.”
The alarming rise in fatal accidents, especially those involving motorcycles, has caught the attention of the Belize Police Department. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, noted that while the department has ramped up checkpoints along the highways, their efforts alone can’t guarantee driver safety. He emphasized the importance of motorists taking proactive steps to protect themselves, offering several key safety tips.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I’d liked to say to motorcycle riders, not just because you’re entitled to have a road. You must ride at the middle of the road. Some of them, they ride smack middle of the road. Almost on that yellow line. To the middle of your side of the room would make more sense. Remember, they receive, they know. And bear in mind that we do have drivers who have, who has no regards to motorcycle riders, which should not be.”
The Waight family is still grappling with the reality of Nicky’s death. Everett says that everyone that ever came across her son would describe him as a good man, who took pride in serving his community. And that memory is timeless.
Everett Waight
“He was always a person that liked to help. If you need help, he don’t care who is the person, he will help you. And he was a happy person. He was a friendly person. He was a person that likes to run joke. So I never had a dull moment with him.”
Earlier this month, an Asian grocer was charged with assault after grabbing the shirt of a Price Control Unit Officer on duty. The officer had been investigating the grocery store for not displaying the price of bread, leading to a dispute. Following that incident, Deputy Chairman of the United Democratic Party, Alberto August, was charged with aggravated assault when he spoke unkindly to an officer on duty. In a post made on his social media page, August questioned the discrepancy in the charges. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams commented on the incident.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I saw with his post on social media. I don’t usually agree with him. But I did so this time after reading. That Asian grocer should have been charged with aggravated assault. The law says if you assault any public officer in the execution of his duty, that officer from price control was performing a public duty. And so the grocer will have to be charged with aggravated assault. I don’t know how far that matter is. But if he has not yet pleaded guilty to the common assault.”
Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred over the weekend on Berry Street. According to reports, deliveryman Henry Myvette, was making his rounds on Berry Street when two armed men on bicycles held him up, making off with the cash he had on him. ACP Hilberto Romero, provided more details on the incident
“On Saturday, the twenty-eighth of September, 2024, police responded to a robbery report on Berry Street in Belize City. Upon the arrival they found Henry Myvett, a helper who was doing deliveries in the area, when he was approached by two male persons on bicycles who were armed with firearms. The person’s proceeded to rob them and stole a disclosed amount of cash and cell phones. They rode off into the street and left the area. They’re seeking two suspects in regards to this robbery.”
A burglary occurred last Tuesday on the remote Chiquibul Road. A group of men reportedly stormed into a couple’s home and proceeded to relieve him and his wife of household appliances, money and two vehicles. Today, ACP Hilberto Romero told reporters that investigators have had no luck tracking down the assailants or the loot and the area has been targeted before.
“On Thursday, San Ignacio Police received a report of an aggravated burglary that occurred on Tuesday, at Mile six on the Chiquibul Road. A male person reported that he was at home along with his wife when he knocks, they opened the door and were held up by several male persons who then tied him up and searched the house for items. Thereafter the male persons left the area. The complainant untied himself at which point he made checks on his properties and found out that two vehicles, a Suburban Outlet and a Jeep Gladiator were stolen from his house along with several electronic items and cash. The male persons fled from the area. So far we have not recovered any items and we have no suspects at this time.”
Reporter
“Is this the only incident that has happened there recently or has there been a trend of burglaries in this area.”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“There have been other aggravated burglaries in the San Ignacio area however, there was a pause for a while and this one happened on Tuesday.”
Reporter
“Do you believe it’s the same suspects conducting all of these?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“We do not know at this time. We have investigators in the area to ascertain who these persons are. ”
Earlier this month, a man who allegedly pulled an assault rifle on a road works crew on the Coastal Plains Highway and then saw the charges withdrawn in court, may lose his licensed weapons. Today the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams told reporters that he has instructed the officers who confiscated the guns from businessman, thirty-year-old Efrain Rejon after the incident to not return them. The incident in question happened when, according to a contractor, Rejon threatened him and his fellow workers at a road construction site on the Coastal Plain Highway. The contractor told police that Rejon arrived at the site armed with a high-calibre rifle during an argument over damage that a passing truck had caused. Rejon, the report alleges, pointed the rifle at the workmen. This was one of three weapons that Rejon reportedly has, and while it may raise concern among other civilians how many gun licenses one can hold, Williams says the law allows for it.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I have already written instructed the police not to return any of those weapons to Mr. Rehon. And um, even though the complainants have gone to court and will write to the Firearms and Emergency Control Board and seek their intervention to have the license revoked.”
Reporter
“Mm. You had been the one who issued the licenses in the first place. What was your justification to allow Rehan to have these guns? Again, you’re wrong. I, some of them he got under me and he also got under the previous commissioner.”
Chester Williams
“There’s nothing in law to say that a person cannot have two, three, four, or five guns. I have said to you, there is a man who has 21 licenses. None of them were issued by me, none. You are not making an issue out of that. And even though he had, he has 20, nothing wrong with that. They have a number of persons who have 18, 19, 17, and it’s not an issue because there’s nothing in law. So why, I don’t understand why every time there is an incident where a person has more than one, You have a gun license, you are mechanical of it. There’s nothing in law to prevent any person from having that. A person may have a gun license for hunting, um, sports hunting. They may have one for farming. They may have one for special protection. They may have for different reasons. Some people are gun enthusiasts. Some people are collectors. They have guns for different reasons. So we cannot just look at things at the face of it and then we try to impute improper motive on anybody. Seeing as though this is a second case. The first one was Brandon. What was his name? Brandon Gillett, where he also pulled out a 223 and threatened violence in public. Do you feel that there should be some type of limit since you’re saying, you know, some people have 20, so much guns. There should be some type of limit to the amount of licenses, especially as it relates to these powerful weapons. I would agree with you on that. Maybe Parliament should look at that to put a limit in terms of the amount of license a person can have at any given time. That I think would make sense.”
