Tensions are rising in the transport sector as the Belize Bus Owners Association (BBOA) pushes back against a government proposal to create a single national bus company. In a recent release, the association accused the Ministry of Transport of trying to replace long-standing, Belizean-owned operators with a government-run model. At the heart of the issue is a power struggle over who will control the future of public transportation. The BBOA sees the plan as a threat to their survival. But Transport Minister Doctor Louis Zabaneh says the focus must remain on what commuters want — better, more reliable service. He insists that current bus operators won’t be pushed out. In fact, he says they’ll have the opportunity to become shareholders in the new national company if they choose to be part of the transformation.
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
“The public is demanding that we improve the quality of service. From the very first meeting in this proposal the atmosphere we have been encouraging is one of partnership. Improving the industry will require that the bus operators and the government realize that we are not what matters most in the industry. What matters most are the commuters, their welfare, they are the ones paying. The difference between what we are proposing now and what happened with Novelo is that all operators continue to be owners. In this case they would be owners by way of being shareholders in this public private partnership. In the case of Novelo there was only one owner. It cannot be said they are being kicked out of the industry. They have the opportunity to remain as shareholders. The second factor is this new public private partnership which will be no different than a B.E.L. a B.T.L. or a B.W.S.L., meaning a public utility which transportation will fall under as a natural monopoly to serve people who need the service across the country. In that setting we ensure that the owners will hire a board of directors, new management, we have structures in place, and we put the necessary legislation in place to protect so that there is no erosion.”
Minister of Transport, Doctor Louis Zabaneh has scheduled a follow up meeting with bus operators for next week Friday. We will continue to follow.
E-taxis have officially hit the streets of Belize City, but not everyone is celebrating. Local cab drivers are voicing strong concerns, worried that this new, eco-friendly service could drive them out of business. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve seen it before; just last year, the launch of e-buses sparked similar backlash from traditional bus operators. Now, with only a handful of e-taxis in operation, tensions are already rising. So how are cab drivers coping with the change? News Five’s Britney Gordon hit the streets to find out. Here’s her report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
It’s been one week since Belize City rolled out its new e-Ride service, marking another step forward in clean, modern transportation. After the debut of e-buses in 2024, many Belizeans were eager to see what would come next—and now, electric taxis are here. But just like the e-buses, the new e-taxis are stirring up controversy. Local cab drivers say the service threatens their livelihoods, fearing that the sleek, eco-friendly rides could soon replace traditional taxis.
Albert Robinson
Albert Robinson, Belize City Taxi Driver
“Any plus affects the business any plus when it comes to being in business. Anything that comes. Competition is good, but to a certain extent, you have to be careful as to how much you overflow or you flood the situation, right? Because it creates a problem sometimes it even get personal with people. It become violent. I have seen hotel since I started to operate, that people have gone to the extreme of fighting over client and wounding one another.”
Albert Robinson, a local taxi driver, told us that a ride in a regular cab costs around ten dollars, though the price can vary depending on how far you’re going. To compare, we tried booking an e-taxi through the MiDriva app—but it was down. So instead, we called e-taxi driver Abigail Westby directly. She’s currently offering a promotional rate, and our ride came to just eight dollars. Westby shared that business started off slowly, but things have picked up so much that she’s now turning down ride requests. It’s a sign that e-taxis may be gaining traction, even as traditional drivers worry about the competition.
Abigail Westby
Abigail Westby, E-Ride Taxi Driver
“ They love it. They love it. I’ve been getting a lot of tens out of tens. People are sharing and posting their thoughts and I’ve seen it on my WhatsApp, so it’s been good. “
The Belize City Council rolled out four electric taxis as part of its push for greener transportation—but right now, only two drivers are on the road. One of them, Abigail Westby, says demand is growing fast. When she’s fully booked, she sometimes refers customers to her mother, who drives a traditional taxi. It’s a unique family dynamic in a time of change. We asked Westby whether she thinks the e-taxi service poses a threat to drivers like her mother. Her response reflects the tension many in the industry are feeling as the city shifts toward cleaner, tech-driven transport.
Abigail Westby
“It will be balanced because it is still going to price within the range. I believe that people are mis misunderstanding the promotion that I am doing this week. This week alone. The price, they’re saying that we’re charging eight for the runs, but it’s. It’s actually a promotion. It’s not going to be the set cost. It will start at a base price of as low as seven dollars. But as time goes and as your distance change, the prices will change in the app.”
E-taxis may be the future of transportation in Belize City, but for many local drivers, owning one remains out of reach. Right now, e-taxi drivers pay a daily fee of sixty-five dollars to use electric vehicles. If they meet that fee, they can stay on the road. But the veteran cab driver says the original pitch to local drivers was very different. He recalls being told they could buy an e-taxi for between sixty and seventy thousand dollars, a price he says is simply unaffordable for the average taxi operator.
Albert Robinson
“ We were taken into a meeting at the city hall where we were introduced and these taxes were mentioned to us. We were given preference and if we wanted to drive one of these taxi to own, but when they gave us the price of one of those vehicles, we told them at all age, especially me right now, I am seventy-six years old. No shame in my game because I’m gift, I’m still operating. I still take care of myself as much as I could, but it’s the only way out. People like us at certain age are not employable. They don’t employ us. Right, because of our age. So we find our own industry and we try to make a living the best way we could.”
Voice of: Belize City Taxi Driver
For many taxi drivers in Belize City, making ends meet is becoming harder by the day. Between the rising cost of fuel, constant vehicle maintenance, taxes, and other fees, several drivers say they’re barely scraping by. One frustrated taxi-man didn’t hold back, saying the government should focus on developing new industries instead of crowding already saturated ones like the taxi sector. With competition growing and expenses piling up, many drivers feel they’re being left behind in the push for progress.
Voice of: Belize City Taxi Driver
“ The government di take away job from the local people and then the e-taxi business di benefit the government and not the people. You need to look fi jobs to create for your people and do not take away job from them. The same thing with the e-buses because then the target, the whole taxi and bus system. And another five years from now, Belizeans a see the effect of it.”
While only a few electric taxis are currently operating in Belize City, traditional cab drivers are already worried about what the future holds. Could their way of life be on the road to extinction? Not so fast, says e-taxi driver Abigail Westby. She believes there will always be a place for cab drivers in the city’s transportation landscape.
Abigail Westby
“Not in the near future. Things take time to adjust and upgrade. If they want to upgrade the country or the city with electric vehicles, it won’t change right away. So it will have some time, If it’s the plan that. We want to be, become a fully electric vehicle, country or as city, then it won’t happen right away.”
Veteran cab driver Mr. Robinson says he’s not against progress—but he believes development shouldn’t come at the cost of people’s livelihoods. With e-taxis entering the scene, he’s urging the government to find a way forward that supports innovation without sidelining those who depend on traditional jobs to survive. Britney Gordon for News Five.
At the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly in Geneva, Belize is making its voice heard on the global stage. Health Minister Kevin Bernard reaffirmed the country’s strong support for Taiwan and emphasized Belize’s commitment to building a fair and resilient healthcare system. Speaking to delegates from one hundred and ninety-four member states under the theme ‘One World for Health,’ Bernard highlighted the importance of equity, community engagement, and access to quality care for all. He also called for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Organization, recognizing its valuable contributions to global health innovation and knowledge.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“This year, Belize has made significant strides in expanding digital health, enhancing mental health services, and combating non-communicable diseases. We are improving public health surveillance and emergency preparedness, recognizing that in today’s interconnected world, no country is truly safe unless all are protected. We are also prioritizing the health workforce, investing in training, retention, and supportive environments for the professionals who sustain our health systems. Climate resilience remains a key part of our strategy, particularly as we confront the health impacts of rising temperatures and extreme water events. Mr. President, one World for health must mean access to health, knowledge, innovation, and cooperation for all. In that spirit, Belize emphasizes the importance of international solidarity. We value our collaboration with PAHO, SICA and WHO, which has strengthened our capacity to meet both national and global health goals. Belize also believes that the Global health dialogue must be inclusive. We therefore support the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly and all the WHO technical meetings. Taiwan’s contributions to global health are significant, and it’s twenty-three million people deserve representation in shaping the global health agenda. In Geneva stands a broken chair, a symbol of incompleteness. With Taiwan’s inclusion, that chair and our global health efforts can finally be made whole.”
An internal investigation at the Ministry of Transport has uncovered troubling signs that money collected for services may not be making it into government accounts. Minister of Transport, Doctor Louis Zabaneh, says that shortly after stepping into the role a few weeks ago, he noticed irregularities in operations across the country. The ministry quickly launched a formal investigation, and now, a detailed report outlining the findings is on the desk of the Director of Public Prosecutions. So, does this mean former Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson is in hot water? Not necessarily. According to Doctor Zabaneh, the investigation isn’t pointing fingers just yet. This development comes just a week after Public Service Union President Dean Flowers publicly called on the ministry to investigate how things were run under Ferguson’s leadership. Doctor Zabaneh confirmed the investigation is ongoing and says more details will be shared as the process unfolds.
Louis Zabaneh
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
“When we came in we found irregularities across the country and we have a case with the DPP who we are looking at scenarios that we have seen and are investigating. So I cant speak to it specifically, so we are taking steps that is our responsibility. We feel that until we are able to make an example of rogue employees whoa re there stealing the resources of our people, that maybe until then it continues business as usual and hopefully people get the message we are serious. We are aiming to do precisely what we need to do to make people understand that these things will not be tolerated and there are consequences to that type of action. What we are seeing is that there is collusion between various levels. What happens is when you don’t have system in place where there is clear terms of reference for people in terms of who is responsible for what then there is always a setting where people can point fingers and say it was not me it was that one and the other one. So these are things we need to ensure that we make it clear. There are persons from different levels that we are investigating.”
Paul Lopez
“The obvious question would be if the former minister could find himself in some hot water.”
Dr. Louis Zabaneh
“At this point what we are looking at is in the hands of the DPP. These are things like people coming for services at the window. Certain amount of money is collected at that level and it does not reach into the coffers of government. There are schemes that they use to take these monies into their own pockets, those types of things.”
We wait to see what the outcome of this investigation will be and if anyone will be criminally charged based on the findings.
A group of former commissioners from the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) is speaking out, raising serious concerns about the final draft of the PCC report submitted to the Prime Minister. In a strongly worded letter, the former commissioners say the document doesn’t reflect the true input of the people. We caught up with the Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Doctor Louis Zabaneh, to get his take. He acknowledged the concerns and said they deserve to be considered to ensure the final draft truly represents the voices of Belizeans. However, Doctor Zabaneh also made it clear that the final decision on the report rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, who will ultimately take it to parliament.
Dr Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Constitution Affairs
“Indeed the P.M. has received the final report and I saw in the media about the commissioners coming up with their dissenting views and perspectives. So, I have not had a chance to sit with our people to look at that, but clearly we have to look at all these things. It is critical that we understand the process, how it proceeded and to be able to ensure that our prime minister has a report that we can carry on with the process. At this time I have not had the opportunity to look at that, but that will be done in short time. I think it speaks to our diversity in our country. Instead of seeing it from a negative point of view we should see it as a maturity in our democracy. So it is for us now to be able to, all the time it is a part of the process that the decision will lie with the prime minister and the Cabinet and going through the House of Representatives. So that was always something everybody understood. We want to make sure at that level we get the views of Belizean people. Ultimately that is why it is called the People’s Constitutional Commission.”
Again, while Prime Minister John Briceño and his Cabinet will be able to weigh in on the final draft report, members of Parliament will have the final say. But, that will not be anytime soon, since the P.M. has been granted a twelve-month extension to review the document.
This week, Belize City is buzzing with ideas as passionate Belizeans from across the country come together to tackle one of our most pressing environmental challenges, plastic pollution. The non-profit group Sea of Life has launched the Plastic Solutions Academy, a three-day workshop aimed at finding real, community-driven answers to the problem of single-use plastics. With about twenty-five participants on board, the academy is equipping them with technical know-how and inspiration from both local and international experts. Their mission? To craft innovative proposals that can help restore Belize’s waters and protect our marine ecosystems.
Paulita Bennett-Martin
Paulita Bennett-Martin, Director of Programs, Sea of Life
“We have people from all over Belize that have traveled in to spend three daystogether to study plastic pollution, learn about the technical side of what plasticsare made from, what sorts of threats they create to nature and our own healthand then the people are challenged to come up with a solution. So a businesssolution. Of those solutions that are presented at the end of the three days,there’s potential for two of them to become funded projects, as well as have twoyears of mentoring from either BELTRAIDE or Sea of Life.”
Britney Gordon
“And who are some of the speakers that are here today offering their mentorship and advice?”
Paulita Bennett-Martin
“Yeah, we have Stephen Sangster from the University of Belize. We also have a woman from Rare that’s joining us from Washington, DC online. We have Phil Karp, who is retired from the World Bank and has worked a lot on plastic portfolio work across the world. And then we have Sea of Life speaking as well. And Delmer Tzib, also from the University of Belize who’ll be really connecting us with our roots and talking a lot about natural materials that are bounty full across Belize. And what we used to use before single use plastics.”
Britney Gordon
“So can you tell me a little bit about how you guys have really Belize-ified this this workshop that’s happening here? How do you make it so that it’s applicable to the people that are attending?”
Paulita Bennett-Martin
“Absolutely. So we really try to take a nice deep dive in day one we’ll be exploring all of the different natural materials that are a bounty full of cross ize, and then we do some mind mapping. So what is it that we have here that could replace single use plastics.”
As you just heard, forecasters are already sounding the alarm; it’s shaping up to be a busy hurricane season, with nineteen named storms on the radar. Experts at Colorado State University are predicting nine hurricanes, including four major ones. Now, there’s no way to know if any of those storms will head our way, but the City Emergency Management Organization isn’t taking any chances. They’re already out inspecting hurricane shelters across Belize City to make sure they’re ready, just in case.
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“WE have done a lot of training. They have been able to do what you call shelter inspection. They have worked very closely with NEMO. I can say outrightly that this is the best relationship we have had with NEMO as a group, because the structure, the organizational structure of NEMO has really been put in place by the new leadership. We feel that with the coordinated efforts of NEMO and CEMO in the city we want to be prepared.”
Reporter
“Where are we in terms of completion with these shelters and putting out the official list for shelters this year?”
Bernard Wagner
“Again that is coordinated with NEMO and NEMO identifies the shelters. We just go along with them in terms of knowing in what capacity they are you in, are they available, do they need repairs. If they need repairs we assist with that, but in terms of identifying and selecting shelters that is up to NEMO.”
From the comfort of air-conditioned offices to the gritty reality of Belize City’s drains, Mayor Bernard Wagner and his councilors rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty today. With the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season fast approaching, the Belize City Council is stepping up its flood mitigation efforts. This morning, staff gathered at Constitution Park before fanning out across the city—led by the mayor himself—to clean drains and clear debris. It’s a job usually left to sanitation and maintenance crews, but today, elected officials joined the front lines. So, what kind of impact did their presence really make? And how is the council preparing for what could be another intense rainy season? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
They’re usually behind desks in the cool comfort of City Hall, but today, Mayor Bernard Wagner and his councilors traded office chairs for rubber boots. Armed with gloves and grit, they hit the streets to help clean out drains across Belize City.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“What we normally have prior to the rainy season is a symposium. So I told my CEMO liaison officer, Melonie, let us do something outside of the box this year. Instead of going in a conference room sitting out and having a symposium, let us go into the ground, get with hands dirty and really put in the work for the people. This is what you call community. It is community at its best.”
Flooded streets and soggy yards, it’s a headache Belize City residents know all too well. Clogged drains have been a problem for years, and when the rain pours, the complaints come pouring in too. But with the 2025 hurricane season just two weeks away, clearing out those drains could mean a big difference and maybe even a little peace of mind for folks bracing for the storms ahead.
Kaya Cattouse
Kaya Cattouse, Councilor, Sanitation Department
“As you know the hurricane season is June to November, every year in December the sanitation and maintenance team at the Belize City Council start our preparation for the upcoming year. So, we are on the ground digging drains. The issue here in Belize City is that it is below seas level. So, when it rains it will definitely flood. Our job here is to ensure that the flood subsides as soon as the rain stops.”
And while the gloves came out, our cameras did not really capture these elected officials doing much work. To be fair, here is Councilor Cattouse briefly clearing some dirt before handing over the shovel. Councilors Javier Castellanos and Sherwin Garcia were caught assisting to remove a grill. Councilor Garcia once again showed he is not afraid of a little dirt and mud, while Mayor Wagner got on his knees, on the dirty sidewalk, to assess the situation. But the real experts, those who did the heavy lifting, are the councils’ sanitation and maintenance teams.
Paul Lopez
“Is all the fan fair necessary to clean drains across the city?”
Kaya Cattouse
“It just shows our commitment; at the council we are hands on councilors. This iswhat we do on a regular basis, whether the cameras are here or not.”
Javier Castellanos
Javier Castellanos, Councilor, Belize City
“We were prepared already, but this one is the final one touch that the mayor said we are going to finish it off to make sure everything is on time and everything is prepared so we can be able to have that opportunity so if any disaster comes we are already halfway in it.”
The Belize City Council admits that while clearing drains definitely helps, it’s not a magic fix. Some neighborhoods will still see water rising during heavy rains and that’s because much of the city actually sits below sea level. But there’s a silver lining: the goal is to keep those floodwaters moving. So even if the streets fill up, the hope is that once the rain stops, the water will drain away quickly, keeping damage to a minimum.
Bernard Wagner
“We want to ensure that all our drains are cleared of debris, they are connected, reshaped, connected to the canal, they are flowing to the canal, the canal is flowing to the river and the river to the sea. We know we have an issue at the Dean Street Area, Berkley Street, and East Collet Canal. Those are focus areas. We have issues on Queen Street, by the gas station on Freetown Road. Those are key areas. We have the sludge trucks with us today, two sludge trucks which are really getting in those drains and suck out all the sludge and debris in those areas.”
The positive impact of this cleanup effort will only be realized when the rains come. Forecasters are already predicting an above average hurricane season. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
As climate change continues to bring more intense droughts, storms, and unpredictable weather to the Caribbean, the need for accurate forecasting and clear communication has never been more urgent. To help meet that challenge, the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum has revived its media training program, last held in 2017. This week’s session in Grenada brings together meteorologists, climatologists, and journalists to sharpen their skills in reporting on climate risks and preparedness. The goal? To make sure the public gets timely, reliable information about seasonal forecasts and early warnings. Supported by the World Meteorological Organization, the forum is focused on strengthening early warning systems and boosting public awareness across the region. News Five’s Benita Keme Palacio is on the ground in Grenada and spoke with Dr. Jane Strachan of the UK Met Office, who emphasized the vital role media plays in helping communities understand and respond to climate threats.
Jane Strachan
Dr. Jane Strachan, UK Meteorological Office
“The media plays a crucial role in communicating weather and climate information to the public. The national Met services have a real challenge of getting that information in an accessible and relatable way. So, the media, you can connect with the audiences; this is a way to get critical information and action from the public. So, we really wanted to run this workshop to educate the media about weather and climate but also how to communicate that better and how to connect with the national meteorological institutes. The idea is how do you mainstream that information into everyday news, the media making that relevant in stories about farming, in stories about tourism, in stories about what is on the supermarket shelves, making it part of all the stories about the media, and not only in the end. So I think that will be a real transformation. And improving the literacy of the media but also the public about weather and climate. So I think that’s going to be a really big step forward. So, I’m really hoping to see more collaboration between the media houses and the national meteorological centers so that they can get better information out in the public mainstreamed into media.”
Dr. Strachan says this kind of collaboration is essential for building climate resilience, as it empowers both the media and the public to better understand, prepare for, and respond to the growing challenges of climate change.
As experts from across the region gather in Grenada for the Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum and a special media training on climate communication, the setting couldn’t be more symbolic. Grenada is still picking up the pieces after Hurricane Beryl tore through the island in July 2024, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Now, with the 2025 hurricane season fast approaching, the big question is: is Grenada ready? News Five’s Benita Keme Palacio sat down with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell to talk about the country’s recovery efforts and how it’s preparing for what could be another active season.
Dickon Mitchell
Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister, Grenada
“We have I would say, done a better job, we had a pretty devastating hurricane in 2004. We learned a lot of lessons since then, and so I think we were far better prepared to handle Hurricane Beryl, thankfully. It was mostly the northern part of Grenada and Carriacou and Petite Martinique. But, having said that, I think there are a number of things that we have become better at; financial resilience is one of those. We’ve been able to, over the years, pay for parametric insurance, which allows us to mitigate a lot of the financial losses that we have suffered as a result of Hurricane Beryl. We also purchased insurance for our farmers, so we’ve been able to help them, including some of our fishermen. In that regard, we’ve done well. We also have built into our debt instruments hurricane suspension clauses, which allow us to suspend debt payments to our creditors in the event they need the cash flow to finance the recovery and the rebuilding in the aftermath of natural disasters. In that sense, we have institutionalized financial resilience to address the loss, damage, and consequences of climatic events. Behavior-wise, I think there’s a lot of work to be done, and from an energy perspective, we are still not where we need to be in terms of having more renewable and non-carbon-type energy into the mix.”
The scars of Hurricane Beryl still linger within the country, but PM Mitchell says the country is better positioned to face what’s ahead. The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) officially opens tomorrow, and as we mention we have a team in Grenada and we’ll have more on the forum on Thursday’s newscast.
