Belmopan and Cayo South Record 3 Nominations Each

In Belmopan and Cayo South, the political scene was as heated as the scorching midday sun. The three candidates—Oscar Mira for the P.U.P., John Saldivar under Tracy Panton’s leadership, and Ralston Frazer under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership—each brought their unique flair to the campaign trail today. Over in Cayo South, the current representative, Julius Espat, drew a huge crowd at his rally after his nomination, while the events for the two U.D.P. candidates were more low-key. News Five’s Marion Ali was on the ground in Belmopan and Cayo South to bring us this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Right at ten a.m., a lively parade kicked off with drumming and a huge banner of Oscar Mira on a trailer truck, leading about a hundred enthusiastic supporters to the Belmopan Civic Centre. Mira, the current representative, told reporters he’s eager for a second term to keep building on the work he’s started in the nation’s capital.

 

Oscar Mira, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Belmopan

“We have livened up Belmopan but there is a lot of work to be done, a lot of infrastructure work. Belmopan is growing so fast. It’s the fastest growing municipality in Belize. It is growing so fast that we need to keep up with the infrastructure work. We have done a lot of infrastructure work. There’s more to be done. There’s a lot more to be done. We have worked extremely hard in ensuring that our young people get an opportunity to education. “Compre” now is free. You can go to Belmopan Comprehensive School and get a free education. You’ll get assistance in food. You’ll get assistance in uniform. When it comes to health, the government has worked really hard to ensure that our people get the opportunity of getting health care and N.H.I. is rolling out to the Cayo district and very, very shortly, we have plans of building the new tertiary level hospital in Belmopan. There’s so much things going on.”

 

Veteran politician John Saldivar, running for the U.D.P. under Tracy Panton’s leadership, led a spirited motorcade to his nomination. He shared that his time away from the spotlight has allowed him to recharge, and now he’s ready to tackle the community’s demands for improved infrastructure, housing, and goods.

 

John Saldivar, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Belmopan

“The rapid deterioration of our infrastructure,  our road network, and land issues have become a serious issue, and people’s land have been taken away from them. The pantry program has been ripped up away from the poor and the elderly of this city. And people are going to rebel against that when election day comes.”

 

Ralston Frazer is the U.D.P.’s pick Belmopan under Barrow. He did not lead a parade nor a motorcade, but he said the momentum in his camp has given him the fire he believes he needs to cause an upset.

 

Ralston Frazer, U.D.P. Standard Bearer

“Ninety-five percent of the homes that I stop in I am the one doing the listening. People are telling me what is wrong, what is not right, how things are not going the way they’re supposed to be going and which one of our candidates are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing and all these other things and I end up listening to their complaint. This is telling me  of the frustration of our people, particularly here in Belmopan, I know this is national, but particularly here in Belmopan, that response tells me that the people are tired.”

 

Marion Ali

“What are they tired of?”

 

Ralston Frazer

“Let’s get to that. One of the thing is people are finding it difficult. This is a national issue, but again, it affects Belmopan. People are finding it extremely challenging to put food on their table. And we know why this is because the national government has the responsibility to make life a little bit easier for children. You would have heard our party leader said in our newly-launched Manifesto, where the fuel price is concerned. Now, measures like that will allow for prices to go down.”

 

The police maintained order all day, with no incidents to report. Over in Cayo South, the current representative, P.U.P.’s Julius Espat, led a huge rally after his nomination this morning. He shared that he believes the residents are pleased with their work since 2020.

 

Julius Espat, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo South

“Everybody is happy, they’re energized and willing to wait for the 12th of March.”

 

Marion Ali

“What are the issues as you go from house to house and you meet with the supporters? What are they telling you that they need more of, or that they want to change?”

 

Julius Espat

“They don’t want any change. They just need more of what we’re doing. Land is an issue always. Cayo South has a lot of people that don’t have title for properties. And so we are working along with the Ministry of Natural Resources a little at a time to make sure that they get the title for their land because as you’re aware, if you build on something that’s not yours, it’s not a good investment. And so we are making sure that we are giving them back the power so that they can have property, title. And so that’s one of the main movements. We’ve been working a lot with infrastructure, every sector. We have a community development fund that was provided to us by the government and we have been using it. If you notice, the nomination was in the refurbished community center and we have been doing community centers in all the villages. We have a program with education where everybody here that has applied for some assistance in education has received from primary school, high school, sixth form, and even universities. Some have gone abroad, studying to be architects, doctors. So we’ve been working hard to really raise the quality of life in Cayo South.”

 

However, the two U.D.P. candidates disagree with Espat’s positive self-assessment. Dr. June Young, running under Tracy Panton’s leadership, believes there’s much room for improvement.

 

Dr. June Young, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo South

“Across the thirteen villages in Cayo South, some of the challenges and the needs of people are the same. We have some communities where people are clamoring for light, for water, for land to have access to their homes in some areas way to the back of the villages. They do not have access where vehicles can take them to their home. So they need to walk for some miles to get to their homes. So those are the issues. Also, we know the issue of crime. The other day we had, uh, Mr. Samayoa who was shot in Arizona. So campaigning in that community.  The villagers were telling me, you know, Dr. Young, we need a substation here in our village. We need a little polyclinic and if possible, a multi-grade school so that our students, our children do not have to walk that far to go to school. So the needs are great.”

 

Antonio Samayoa, running under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership, believes he’s the best candidate for the job and is confident he can deliver if elected on March twelfth.

 

Antonio Samayoa, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo South

“ We need some change. And what inspired me to do this is that I am ready for it, and I am ready for the people of Cayo South. And we, together, this is not just about me. This is about the people. I know there are two strong opponents, but my view is that I will get in there and fight for my people. I’m not scared of Julius and my other colleague. This is not about creating divisions. This is for us, for all to be together, but it’s the people’s decision.”