Opposition Leader Delivers State of the Nation Response  

Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow delivered his State of the Nation address today in response to Prime Minister John Briceño’s presentation on Tuesday. Barrow spoke for forty minutes on matters related to the economy, education, health, crime and more. But, unlike the elaborate setting that was prepared for the prime minister’s speech, today there were no dignitaries, diplomats, or students in sight. Neither was there any other politician in the room other than the opposition leader himself. Notwithstanding the nearly empty room, Barrow delivered his address and got his points across to the nation, live. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow delivered his response to the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation address in solitude from the United Democratic Party’s headquarters. His speech ran for forty minutes, twice the length of time PM Briceno took on Tuesday. But the setting was a stark contrast to the pomp and circumstance and fanfare at the Sir Edney Cain Building. Barrow made his remarks to a virtually empty room. That, however, did not faze him, as he painted a picture of national despair from the onset.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“As we celebrate our glorious history, we must yield to our obligation to be mindful of the present State of our nation which unfortunately is floundering. After four years of the Briceno Administration, ask yourselves, are your lives any better? Can you afford the highest cost of living ever? Are you closer to getting your first affordable home? Did you get your first piece of land? Are you getting affordable quality public healthcare? Are we safer? Do you feel safer? Can you afford to send your children to school? Do you have food security? Are you living the Belizean dream or the dreaded nightmare?”

 

Barrow went on to point out several businesses that have shuttered over the last few years, including Renco, Smiling Meats, Hofius and Bottom Dollar. He used these closures to bolster his argument that the nation’s economy is in dire straits. The opposition leader responded directly to the prime minister’s claim that his administration has recorded a historically high six billion-dollar G.D.P.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Despite Bricenos annual attempts to deceive Belizeans we do not see the G.D.P. growth he boasts of, nor do we feel it! The State of the Nation is falling when regular Belizeans pay twenty-five percent income tax while special Belizeans pay six percent, and million-dollar corporations pay three percent. The State of the Nation is falling when you fail to collect proper taxes from those making the most especially those price gauging businesses who exploit the vulnerable while evading tax compliance.”

 

Barrow contended that while the Briceño administration boasts a three percent unemployment rate, the poverty rate remains at thirty-nine percent. On the topic of health, the opposition leader chided the government for spending six point nine million dollars on land in Belmopan to build a tertiary level hospital. He referred to former Minister of Health Michel Chebat as the worst Minister of Health in the country’s history. Furthermore, he argued that the current Minister of Health has created more havoc than health solutions.

 

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“The Ministry of Health’s report card from 2020 to 2024, has been a horrific and unhealthy for the country of Belize. Instead of the Health of our people accelerating to the next level, it has deteriorated since November 2020 over the last forty-seven months under this P.U.P. Briceño administration.”

 

The Leader of the Opposition spent much of his speech discussing education. Here, he lamented the reported shortage of teachers in the classroom. Barrow also argued that the requirement for teachers to have one hundred and twenty CPD hours in five years is daunting for many educators. He recommended a reduction in the number of hours required for continued professional development.

 

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“We need to reduce the CDP hours. A more manageable requirement for CPD hours will alleviate the pressure on teachers. Reducing the number of hours needed would make it easier for educators to fulfill their professional development obligations without overextending themselves. These and other solutions will provide for a more equitable framework for teacher development.”

 

Turning to the issue of crime, Barrow declared that homicides have increased by forty percent from the same period last year. The Commissioner of Police maintains that while those figures were accurate at the start of the year, that percentage decreased significantly in the third quarter and continues a downward trend. In response, Barrow noted that he would revisit that figure and make the correction if necessary.

 

 

Moses Shyne Barrow

“Our crime rates and the state of our policing system are deeply troubling. Morale within our Department is at an all-time low, hampered by political interference and micromanagement. Ineffective policing has led to the extension of the State of Emergency, a measure that according to John Briceno underscores the failure of the State. It is imperative that we restore confidence in our law enforcement by depoliticizing the process and implementing meaningful reforms.”

 

Barrow also spoke on national security and the Guatemalan Armed Force’s continued incursions into Belize’s territory. He also touched on Belize’s energy crisis and ended his address by speaking on the issue of social justice.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“But all hope is not lost, the resilient people of Belize have the absolute power to change the State of the Nation in the next General Elections. Long live democracy, long live Belize. Que viva Belize. Dios te bendiga Belize. God bless Belize.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.