The Commission of Inquiry’s report on Belize’s sugar industry, completed at the end of November 2024, is still under wraps. The commission handed the report to the prime minister, who will decide when to share it with the public. Mac McLoughlin, General Manager of A.S.R/B.S.I, hinted that a sneak peek at the documents shows many of the sugar factory’s recommendations were included. Meanwhile, Alfredo Ortega from the B.S.C.F.A. mentioned that they are eagerly waiting to see what the report contains.
Mac McLoughlin
Mac McLoughlin, General Manager, A.S.R/B.S.I
“What we’ve seen so far, I mean, it really just tells us what we were expecting, which is that we really need to concentrate on modernizing and improving the productivity and quality in the cane farm, you know. I think the commission will be recommending a number of things, including quality testing and improved quality testing of cane in the future. Increasing, amounts of replanting of cane because these things are not rocket science. This is what any modern industry has to do, and I assume it will be talking about finding funding for, for farmers to be able to achieve that because that’s what’s required, that we need investment in the cane farm. The factory has had a lot of investment in it and I think if we can get to the right quality levels, we can prove what our industry here can achieve.”
Alfredo Ortega
Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A, Orange Walk Branch
“The Prime Minister said that report will give an opportunity to better off the Sugar Industry Act. So we are waiting on that so that we can also have our start the negotiation with BSI in regards to our agreement based on what the Commission brings out.”
Meanwhile, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is turning to the courts over the issue of Fairtrade premiums, aiming to reclaim what they believe is rightfully theirs. The association claims they haven’t received the appropriate Fairtrade payments for several years and is seeking a resolution to the dispute with the involved sugar companies, ASR/BSI and Tate and Lyle. Alfredo Ortega shared how much they’re looking forward to collecting, while Mac McLoughlin pointed out that the association’s issue is actually with their parent company, Tate and Lyle.
Alfredo Ortega
Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A, Orange Walk Branch
“For the past two years now, we can see three years we have not. The B-S-C-F-E has not been getting any premium in regards to our can being delivered to the mill. And we, in regards to the regulations, we comply with the regulation. We have our certification. We are not suspended. We passed the audit that has been done to us and nevertheless, we have not been getting our premium from since 2021. So, we are awaiting that, um, we were trying to negotiate that with BSIT and like, but it came out futile. We didn’t went through to nothing. So that is why we have it in court now. We are expecting that, um, something positive come out of that.”
Marion Ali
“How much are you expecting out of this premium?”
Alfredo Ortega
“Well, every year it’s in the vicinity of three million, three point five million, depending on the amount of sugar being sold on the Fairtrade certification. So, it’s two years that we have and plus this past crop that we have not got nothing. So, if we include all three.”
Mac McLoughlin
Mac McLoughlin, General Manager, A.S.R/B.S.I
“Fair trade is between, you know, the associations and Tate and Lyle Sugars, which is the body that sells the fair-trade sugar and pays the farmers for it. So it’s really nothing to do with BSI.”
Marion Ali
“The farmers tend to disagree with you on that.”
Mac McLoughlin
“Well, it’s the truth. I mean, we don’t sell fairtrade. Well, we sell sugar that’s Fairtrade eligible, but we don’t actually market the sugar as Fairtrade. And, back to when Fairtrade started, it was long before ASR arrived in Belize. I think it was 2008. It’s always been Tate and Lyle paying the farmers the premiums.”
The road from Bullet Tree Village to the Spanish Lookout Community is a lifeline for Belize’s agricultural sector, with farmers transporting livestock and grains along this route every day. Now, this crucial stretch is getting a much-needed upgrade. On Friday, a groundbreaking ceremony in Santa Familia Village marked the start of paving the nine and a half miles. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Friday, the Government of Belize kicked off an exciting project to pave nine and a half miles of road from the Spanish Lookout Community to Bullet Tree Village. Orlando Habet, the Area Representative for Cayo Northeast, highlighted the road’s significance, noting that over fifty percent of Belize’s cattle exports to Guatemala travel this route. This upgrade is set to boost the nation’s economic growth by improving this vital thoroughfare.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Area Rep., Cayo Northeast
“For many years we have been looking through various administrations to get this road paved, because it is heavily trafficked. We have hundreds of workers that come this side and work In Spanish Lookout. We have farmers who have access to their farms through this road and as I mentioned, very important, because sixty to seventy percent of all the cattle that goes to Guatemala passes through this road. All the corn and all the beans exported pass through this road. When we have flooding events it is important, because apart from those commodities, we have chicken, egg, beef, milk, ice cream, you name it, all the food items that has to pass through here when the lower lying bridges are closed. So, it is important.”
Habet also pointed out that this project will boost property values along the road and open up new opportunities for tourism in the area. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Spanish Lookout Community. According to Julius Espat, the Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing, the community is even pitching in to help finance part of the work.
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
“This project is a special project, because it is a public, private venture. It is the Spanish Lookout community coming together with government and financing the project to make it work. It was one of the ways we found to fast track the bureaucratic way of doing road construction. So I would like to sincerely thank the Credit Union of Spanish Lookout who I know are the people with the cheese, so thank you very much and the leadership of Mr. Reimer of Spanish Lookout.”
Cayo North Area Representative Michel Chebat was also present at the groundbreaking ceremony in Santa Familia Village. He says this is phase one of Plan Belize. The work is expected to be completed in eighteen months.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Area Rep., Cayo North
“It is important because it will enhance the lives of all our citizens in the area. It will make commerce better. It will make access to education, agriculture, all the lands around here, the value of these lands will appreciate. So it is a win-win situation. It represents a commitment and a belief by government in the residents and the people of Belize. This government believes in our people, and we are working to make the lives of our people better. This is just another example of that commitment to making people’s lives better under Plan Belize. This is Plan Belize phase one, because in a few months we are going to have phase two of plan Belize.”
Joyce Tun
Joyce Tun, Chairlady, Santa Familia
“We can attest to the fact that from day one when this government came into power we saw the roads upgraded and keeps being upgraded and maintained. And we can say it is not only talk and talk, but you also walk the talk and this is important to us.”
On Friday, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing, Julius Espat attended a groundbreaking ceremony out west for a road upgrade. In his speech, Espat highlighted the urgent need for road improvements in villages across the country. He explained that his ministry has been working tirelessly, despite limited resources, with the support of fellow area representatives. Espat emphasized that his government isn’t shying away from the challenges but is actively seeking solutions.
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development
“I also understand that villagers across the country are concerned that when it rains, we do have problems, we do have mud, we tend to slip and slide when we drive. But we inherited a road structure of six thousand kilometers and of that only about ten to fifteen percent are paved. So that is what we deal with daily and so I feel for our residents when they are slipping and sliding, but we also do too. The area reps when they request assistance from us, we don’t have resources so they chip in so they would put the salaries for the drivers. Sometimes they assist with fuel, and we give them the equipment. We find ways to be able to solve our problems and we don’t run away from them. We understand what we inherited. I would like to remind, and correct me if I am wrong, wasn’t it Dean Barrow who stood here and say his coffers was endless and that this would be the project to be done immediately when they were desperately looking for support. I am getting a bit political, but we are in the political season so I am allowed. The difference between the political parties is that we don’t talk too much, we come in and we bring the private sector mentality in government and we work and work and work and elections come again and we hope people see the benefit in that and we hope they give us their thank you and say lets go again.”
A piece of the old Haulover Creek Bridge is heading to the Cayo District! On Friday, Orlando Habet announced at an event in his Cayo Northeast constituency that a request had been made to place part of the bridge between Branch Mouth community and San Ignacio Town. Following his speech, Minister of Infrastructure Development Julius Espat confirmed that the bridge is on its way and will significantly improve access to the town for many residents.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo Northeast
“I am hoping that Minister Julius Espat will tell you that we also requested and asked that the bridge in Belize City, that when that bridge is dismantled it can be placed somewhere here close to branch mouth so that you can have a close access from San Ignacio to Santa Familia and beyond. So that will also cut a few miles instead of going around.”
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development
“I must backup Landy when he mentioned the bridge. We have now dismantled the section of the bridge that will be coming here and it will come. So, the bridge is now not in place at Haulover. The contractor has dismantled it and have it in his compound. They will have to do some refurbishing and that is where the chief engineer takes over with all the technical expertise to design the permanent concrete structure to hold the bridge. So you will have the bridge. There is another bridge that we are in discussion with the Spanish Lookout community that if these guys do their work properly and myself and we form government again, we will be looking at the other bridge here in the Cayo district that is very important to us.”
Current residents in the area has access to a bridge across the Belize River that is only big enough for pedestrians.
The 2025 General Election is slated to happen sometime between March and June, with funds already allocated for the big event. But the burning question remains: when will the date be announced? As election fever grips the nation, Belizeans are buzzing with anticipation. We tried to get a hint from Prime Minister John Briceño this morning, but he’s playing his cards close to his chest.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’ve been consulting with a number of people and, you know, you usually have a small group of close advisors and I’m trying to feel and talking to them, not trying to set a date, but when they think we’re ready. We’ve done our complete assessment and the national campaign manager, we’ve finished in December. So there’s a state of readiness in our constituencies and most of them are pretty much almost there. And then also I’ve consulted Cabinet, not as a group but as individuals to feel them out on how they think. Most, of course, from last year they wanted to call elections. A few were saying, “Let us hold a little bit.” Some are saying or are of the opinion that it doesn’t matter if you hold the elections in February or November, we’re still going to win. Well I come from the school that you do not take things for granted, you have to continue to work.”
Sabreena Daly
“Because elections are won on election day.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It’s not won on election day. Elections are won before election day, based on the work that you do. If you are not properly prepared for elections then you can’t win on election day.”
Prime Minister John Briceño is keeping everyone in suspense about the date of the 2025 elections, but that hasn’t stopped the People’s United Party from rallying their supporters. With the United Democratic Party embroiled in internal conflicts, rumors of a potential P.U.P. clean sweep are flying around. While this prospect excites P.U.P. members, some worry it could undermine Belize’s democracy. We caught up with Caribbean Shores Area Representative, Kareem Musa, to get his take on the situation. Here’s what he had to say.
Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores
“The campaign never stops. I try to stay as grounded. As possible within my constituency visiting homes off my constituents. And so that is certainly going to be intensified in 2025 because this is an election year. And it is my hope that we’ll be meeting with our committee this week and hopefully start the campaign within the next few weeks”
Reporter
“Do you think you guys will pull off a clean sweep?”
Kareem Musa
“It’s possible but I don’t know whether it will be a clean sweep, but I think it’s very possible given the current state of the United Democratic Party.”
Reporter
“Do you think, do you think that would bode well for democracy in Belize?”
Kareem Musa
“No I think any healthy democracy requires not just, a strong opposition, but also a strong media. I think that you guys have been an been exceptional in holding the government accountable. And so for any healthy democracy, not just the media, but you do need a strong, vibrant opposition.”
The Briceño administration is currently in the hot seat at the High Court, thanks to a claim by the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) over the long-delayed redistricting exercise. With the general election just around the corner, we asked Prime Minister John Briceño if this failure is a black mark on his People’s United Party Government.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I can give you an assurance that as soon as we get in, that will be a priority, we have to do re-districting in the next government and I plan to work on it… well not us, and it’s not the government, but the Elections and Boundaries Commission. We need to know the process but they are the ones that lead the process for the redistricting exercise and it’s given to the government to then take to the house. It’s the house that then either accepts or rejects the results of the redistricting exercise.
Isani Cayetano
“Do you believe that it had to have gone to the extent where it is before the court now or it should have been something that, I would want to think, could have been dealt with in short order, considering the fact that you were on the side of redistricting prior to November 2020.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“You really di try find something weh gaan wrong wid dis government, through?
Isani Cayetano
“I’m just calling it what it is.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’m not gonna argue on that one. I believe that the Elections and Boundaries Commission could have worked faster or more diligently and probably have more consultations with the public and to see how best it can work. And so, at the end of the day, we are the government and I, as the head, have to take the responsibility. So, I will take responsibility for that and I can assure that we want, as soon as we get in, to make sure that we start working on it. I’m hoping that one or two years at the most, we should be able to already have that settled.”
Last week, the Senior Courts of Belize rolled out new sentencing guidelines to help determine jail time for convicted criminals. Defense attorneys are giving these guidelines a thumbs up. Earlier today, Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa, who is also an attorney, shared his thoughts on the matter.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“That is something that, I think, is going to yield great dividends in terms of certainly getting more convictions and definitely leading the way forward, in terms of what to expect when it comes to sentencing. I know that is being well received, especially from the defense counsel at bar. And so, looking forward to that, moving forward, I think we can expect good results from that.”
It’s been over six years since Belize decriminalized the possession of up to ten grams of cannabis. Last year, the Ministry of New Growth Industries hinted at the possibility of full legalization. Today, we caught up with Minister Kareem Musa for an update. He admitted that progress has been slow but emphasized the many potential benefits of bringing the cannabis industry to Belize.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of New Growth Industries
“There’s no update on it but I know that 2025 is an election year and it is my hope as minister that we’ll be able to get that on the ballot. I feel that it opened up an appetite for innovation within the private sector. Looking at new industries that might not be your traditional industries aquaculture or sugar and citrus and bananas, I see that it definitely opened up a whole realm of possibilities. It does require, however, that we amend a lot of legislation to assist industries like the cohune industry in moving forward. And so I think that while it is that the main focus of creating the new industry was to see how we can introduce cannabis as one of those industries, I think there are so many other bright ideas that have come forward and hopefully even the orange economy, the film industry, the music industry, these can be put as priorities in the next administration.”
