Belize Rural North Candidates Holds Public Debate

It’s not often that political candidates across the country engage in debates, but the candidates in Belize Rural South have set a new standard this election season. On Wednesday night, the four candidates participated in a public debate in San Pedro. They discussed key issues like conservation, development, land ownership, and energy. The event was streamed live by Reef TV. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Political campaigns are in full swing, with only six days left before the March twelfth general election. In Belize Rural South, the four election candidates took a break from the campaign trail to participate in a debate.

 

Mahmoud “Dani” Lagha, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural South

“My name is Mahmoud Lagha. I have known as Dani. I am running for Belize Rural South under U.D.P. democratic party under Mr. Shyne Barrow.”

 

Abner Bacab, B.J.M. Candidate, Belize Rural South

“Belizean Justice Movement as the name is. We want to promote social justice for each and every Belizean, including here in San Pedro, everyone.”

 

Manuel Heredia, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural South

“I have won four general elections and two municipal elections. Having served Belize Rural south for seventeen and a half years with humility, dignity and respect.”

 

Andre Perez, P.U.P. Candidate, Belize Rural South

“Of course tonight we are here to discuss many issues, the way forward and I remain open, looking at the past four years and our accomplishments, but also the way forward.”

 

Moderator Tamara Sniffin asked the candidates how they plan to balance conservation and development. Belize Rural South is a top tourist destination with great opportunities for private investments. But how do they plan to protect the natural resources that make the area so attractive to tourists?

 

Abner Bacab

“For sustainable development, I think a very important part is the consultation process with the people it is affecting, like our island. Most of the time, it is already done, the laws are passed, without any type of consultation.”

 

Manuel Heredia

“The cutting of mangroves, that is crucial, something very crucial. Today there is no regard to the cutting of mangroves, to the dredging where silt will end up at the reef. What will be the future of our children?”

 

Andre Perez

“Let us look at the mangroves, when we talk about dredging and cutting of the mangroves, that is a development we have inherited for many years all our watersides were being sold off. We have been struggling because these mangroves are now private lands.”

 

U.D.P. Candidate, Mahmoud “Dani” Lagha, did not remain on the stage long enough to respond to question.

 

Tamara Sniffin, Moderator

“Did we lose a candidate. I guess we will keep on moving on.”

Lagha informed the moderator that he was experiencing a bout of fatigue as he is observing Ramadan. During the open forum segment of the debate, the candidates continued to discuss environmental conservation and development, highlighting that this is a pressing issue for the residents of the constituency.

 

Manuel Heredia

“It is a serious issue, taxi drivers are asking, developers are asking, how do people get these permits so easy. Do you have anything to do with those permits or any recommendations given by yourself or anybody else for these projects to go ahead?”

 

Andre Perez

“If I was your duly elected area representative in 2008, believe you me, all those mangrove waters given all up north, piece by piece, even the water, would have never pass through my office. It was given under his ministry, his watch or maybe he did not really see, or was not aware of what was being done in Belmopan. This is what we inherited.”

 

Property ownership was also a heated issue raised in the hour and a half long debate. B.J.M. candidate Abner Bacab accused Perez of unfairly distributing lots on Ambergris Caye.

 

Abner Bacab

“The only people that benefit are the parties, their families and their cronies, very close allies to people.”

 

Andre Perez

“I have to respectfully ask him if he has any proof on that because he is making some serious accusations, allegations here that is unfounded. So, I don’t want to answer that, because what he is saying, he needs to show proof. He said about mass robbing; anybody can stand right now to say mass robbing is not happening in San Pedro or Caye Caulker. That is totally false, and I do not appreciate it.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez