Utility Companies in Overdrive to Restore Necessary Services

This morning, we caught up with Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat at an event in Belize City. We used that opportunity to speak with him about the work that the utility companies have been doing to restore water, electricity and telecommunication to parts of the country that were hard hit by Hurricane Lisa.  He began by acknowledging the diligent work being done to ensure that the necessary services are being brought back online promptly.

Michel Chebat

Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities

“I want to say that these guys did a spectacular job. I want to commend BWS for having water back up within twenty-four hours.  Most of the areas were back up, except those areas that were dependent on electricity. So they did a phenomenal job on getting water restored and B.E.L. has also done a fabulous job, these guys have been working around the clock. I know in some of the areas in Cayo, for example, within twenty-four hours they were back up. They tried to get up at least fifty percent of the city by Friday and they have been building on that. I believe right now there is about ninety-seven percent of Belize City back online. These guys have done an incredible job and I don’t know that we can thank them enough.  I know that there are some areas in the rural areas of Belize District that are still out, but these guys are working around the clock to get them back on track.”

Isani Cayetano

“When you look at the kind of effort being made by one, the present administration to which you belong and the various companies that fall under your ministry, what do you say when you see this kind of effort being manifested.”

Michel Chebat

“Certainly, we understand the urgency and the disaster that has hit this city and it is important for us to try to get back people to live as normal as they can and I must commend our prime minister who, as the chairman of NEMO, has taken the bulby the horn and has really brought everybody together to try to rebuild this city.  There was a massive cleanup of the city where all the municipalities came in and helped and it’s just a testament that when we work together there is so much that we can accomplish.”