Reports of fatal road traffic accidents have increased over the last several weeks. Among those reports is a spike in fatal motorcycle accidents. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says motorcycles continue to be an issue for traffic enforcement, including police officers. He says the department is looking at the amendment of certain legislation to better regulate motorcyclists.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I really and truly don’t know. What else can the police and the Department of Transport do? We would have to have police at every milepost, or traffic officers at every milepost. Because as much as we do enforcements putting in place checkpoints and highway patrols, when the drivers approach a checkpoint, they slow down. And the minute they’re out of sight of that checkpoint, then their usual bad driving habit. We find that many of these accidents are as a result of drivers not paying attention, driving without you paying attention. Motorcycle continues to be an issue. How we address that I think that we have been able to do a number of sensitizations, even creating flyers on safety tips on these motorcycles. Even that is not helping. It certainly will require that drivers of motor vehicles and riders of motorcycles take more responsibility in ensuring that they exercise more caution in the driving of motor vehicles and the handling of motorcycles. Motorcycle riders at time tend to operate in such a way that they don’t, the rules of the road don’t apply to them. They have a separate rule that apply to them, which is not the case. And in some instances, the drivers of motor vehicle have no regards for motorcycle riders. So it’s a dual issue that we have to look at to see how we can address it. But it certainly raises a serious question if we look at the amount of traffic fatalities we have had this year. It’s a lot. for a small country. And so we need to see what else we can do. We continue to be in dialogue with the Department of Transport. We’re looking at the amendment of some laws to be able to regulate more particularly motorcycle riders. And once those laws are amended, then we see how it goes from there.”
Today, the Development Finance Cooperation and the Belize Livestock Producers Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish collaborative assistance to livestock producers nationwide. The MOU seeks to establish climate smart practices among small, medium, and large producers to improve resiliency and sustainability. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more details.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
When you think of iconic Belizean dishes, rice and beans and chicken or cow foot soup may come to mind. Without farmers and ranchers across the country, the food we know, and love may not be accessible to make. That is why the Development Finance Cooperation, and the Belize Livestock Producers Association are partnering to increase support for these valuable members of Belizean society. The Chief Executive Officer of the BLPA, William Usher, tells us about this partnership.
William Usher
William Usher, CEO, Belize Livestock Producers Association
“This partnership signifies a new chapter in the development and modernization of the livestock industry in Belize. An industry that is crucial not only to our economy, but to the livelihoods of thousands of Belizean farmers and ranchers. The livestock industry is critical to Belize’s economy and the livelihood of thousands of Belizean families. Our members are not just producers. They are stewards of the land, custodians of sustainable practices, and contributors to the food security and economic wellbeing of our nation. Since its establishment in 1977, BLPA has been committed to the growth and sustainability of the livestock sector, from implementing the Belize National Sanitary Cattle Plant Project, which paved the way for our National Traceability System, to improving the to represent over 7000 cattle farmers with a total herd of nearly two hundred thousand animals. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that Belize’s livestock industrymeet both domestic needs and international standards.”
One of the key components of the MOU is resilience, as industry stakeholders work towards overcoming challenges such as climate change, fluctuating market conditions, and evolving environmental regulations.
William Usher
“These solutions, such as the climate resilient cattle loans, are expected to directly address the financial gap many small, medium and large farmers, ranchers face, but financing alone is not enough. This partnership also emphasizes capacity building and technical assistance, where BLP and DFC will work together to educate farmers on climate smart practices and modern herd management techniques. In an area of changing climatic conditions. Adopting sustainable farming practices is essential to protecting the environment, ensuring food security and enhancing the resilience of our sector.”
The DFC has committed to stand with livestock producers when threats arise in the industry and meet the needs of the farmers through financing solutions and preventative measures.
Henry Anderson
Henry Anderson, C.E.O., Development Finance Cooperation
“The last time we had to deal with a big threat in this area was back in 1994. And some of the practices that the farmers used to use then have gone. And so we may have to get ready to rebuild that. So we’re signaling that we realize that. And we are prepared to work and to see what DFC can do. Because we’re a development finance institution, We have a level of flexibility and patience and to be able to give forbearance where it’s needed to work through situations. So that is a strength that we bring. So as you said William, we see this as an opportunity to grow. We see it as a relationship. It’s not a piece of paper and w e look forward to celebrate milestones with, one of the ultimate milestones being to see that we have an industry that’s net zero.”
Belize will soon see the roll out of several new currency designs. Prime Minister Briceño gave reporters an update today. He said that the new designs have been presented to him and they will be presented to the public after the September celebrations are concluded.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“The Central Bank, the governor came to my office, I think about two weeks ago to show us the new dollars. We will be using the national heroes, both George Price and Phillip Goldson. They are the ones that are going to be on the face. So the new dollars will be introduced later this year or early next year. So, it will be changed but it will have a lot of other features to protect against counterfeit. So, there is a process and also to ease out the old dollar bills. It is already done. It has already been approved. We have introduced it to Cabinet earlier this year. I am old the governor that after the September celebration I want him to come and show the actual bill. So, its coming.”
Paul Lopez
“Any insights on the color scheme, all blue notes?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I would not object, but actually it is blue and red.”
Importers of diesel fuel and biodiesel will pay a standard tax for petroleum oil, following the passage of a new piece of legislation in the National Assembly. On Friday, the Briceño administration introduced and read through the bill in the House of Representatives. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, the reason for the tax being applied evenly is because there are no facilities in the country that can test regular diesel from biodiesel.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“The practical effect is that all diesels are going to be paying the same tax because somebody could be bringing in real diesel and seh da biodiesel and they have no way of knowing that. You would have to take that, I am told that it has to be sent to El Salvador to be able to test here. So, for practical reasons, it just means that all, any fuel that’s called diesel will pay the same tax. In this case, Puma that already has an established network and services that they provide to Belize.”
Over the weekend and leading up to this morning, it appeared as if Belize City experienced a tropical storm that dropped at least four inches of rain fall. Streets across the city were flooded, but there has been little to no rain in sight for the past few days, in fact it has been extremely dry and hot. So, what explains the flooded streets? The speculations were that an unusually high tide came in and inundated the streets with water. Well, the National Hydrological Service is saying that the flooding is because of both the high tide and floodwaters swelling the banks of the Belize River and Haulover Creek. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Streets across Belize City have been inundated with water for the past three days. But there has been little to no rainfall. Sharon Gullap lives on Mex Avenue. She has lived at this exact location for several decades. She is now witnessing something she says she has not seen all her life.
Voice of: Sharon Gullap
Voice of: Sharon Gullap, Belize City Resident
“The water I coming up pretty high. It comes about four or five inches across the bridge. My neighbor over there, it is like about to go in her house. Over there, it is totally downstairs. The alley there, it is totally filled. They cant even walk through it. These are all new happenings for us, not just hightide. When Belize have floods or hurricanes, we know that happen. But, I have been here, many years, over sixty years and this is new happenings.”
When we arrived at Gullap’s home this morning, the water had receded partially. She placed a wooden pallet to access her property. She also had to clog some pipes to prevent flooding on the first floor. King Street, Dean Street, areas of Port Loyola and Belama all saw flooded streets and yards. Residents initially suspected that this was being caused by an abnormal high tide over the past three days. But the National Hydrological Service says otherwise.
Carmelita Blanco
Carmelita Blanco, Hydrologist, National Hydrological Service
“The flooding that is currently being experienced in Belize City is as a result of the riverine flooding since the Belize River is making its way naturally down the riverine system and emptying out into the Haulover Creek. So, all the areas that are along the Haulover Creek are the areas that are currently experiencing the flood.”
Paul Lopez
“There are some suggestions that it could be as a result of hightides, I don’t know if you are hearing that.”
Carmelita Blanco
“Yes, that is in the areas found more in the Marine Parade area. That is where the interaction with the hightides comes into play.”
According to Blanco, excess rainfalls experienced last week led to the Belize River reaching flood stage. She advises residents to continuously monitor the situation as they are unable to provide an exact time period for the river to return to its average height.
Carmelita Blanco
“So all this rain allowed the Mopan River, Macal River reach a bank full stage. As we know, the Macal and the Mopan River form the Belize River. So, all this water needs more space, more room for it to flow. So, since it has arrived at maximum capacity, that is what allows this overflow to take place. What I would advise residents is to continue monitoring the flood forecast that is being issued everyday.”
But for Sharon Gullap and her neighbors, this explanation may provide little to no sense of comfort. Her home is situated near the Belize City Pumping Station. Only last week, the street that runs parallel to hers, Myvett Street, was completely under water.
Sharon Gullap
“Since they did the streets everything started acting different, and since they put that thing there at Yabra it is a whole different thing cause this, I would want to blame it on that, because we never see it before. Give it two hours, it would be there, then it goes down and it comes back up. But we were not having any rain, but now we are going to have some rain, so I don’t know what is going to happen. I am sure climate change has a lot to do with a lot of what is happening, but this drainage, we need drains. I think Belize needs drainage. We don’t have drainage.”
On Thursday afternoon, fifty-three-year-old Ana Chanim and another unnamed woman were injured when a piece of concrete fell on them at the Novelo’s Bus Terminal here in Belize City. Chanim was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after the cement fragment injured her right collarbone. It’s an accident that has left many questioning the soundness of the structure. The Transport Department has since issued a statement informing us that an investigation is underway. The ministry also says that it will be reaching out to the families and doctors for updates on their conditions. This afternoon, Prime Minister John Briceño spoke briefly about the need to repair the building.
Reporter
“Sir, would you weigh in on the incident at the bus terminal. As the Minister of Finance, do you believe that monies should be allocated to that entire structure? At the bus terminal a portion of concrete fell on a woman and it could have practically killed her.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, I have not gotten the report as to what happened and I am not going to dispute it but yes, that whole area has to be completely redone.”
Infrastructure work to upgrade the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway, formerly the Southern Highway, is underway and will proceed over the next several months. Today in the House, the Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat explained that the project was scheduled to begin in July and will continue until next March. The scope of the works extend from the mile six junction with the Hummingbird Highway to the Hopkins junction. Espat said that after accepting bids, Teichrob and Sons Limited got the contract.
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Infrastructure
“The contract amount is for nine million, five hundred and ninety-five thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents. The distance is sixteen point two kilometers long. It starts from the junction at Dangriga, and it will be completed at the junction in Hopkins. It is the initial stages of the rehabilitation of what we know as the Southern Highway, but the official name is Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway. So this is the first section that we are doing because the roads have experienced damage because now the road is being used by heavier trucks, meaning the trucks that are coming in from the Orange Walk District from BSI and the trucks that are coming in from the Cayo Districts from Santander and other trucks that are using now the port in the south. So this is the first phase of the project we are doing, as I said, from Dangriga to Hopkins, and we will be making additional proposals to the government of Belize to continue from Hopkins to Placencia, then from Placencia to Independence and then from Independence all the way to Punta Gorda. We are doing it by phases, so we’re trying to be as responsible as we possibly can start date is July 2024. Completion date is March 2025.”
Two unsuspecting women escaped grave injuries this afternoon when rubble from the roof of the bus terminal on East Collet Canal fell on them. The women were having a brief conversation on the sidewalk just outside of the building when a piece of cement fell from the rooftop and landed on them. It was a frightening experience for persons in the immediate area and the mishap has led to questions about the integrity and soundness of the building. News Five’s Isani Cayetano visited the scene today and spoke with members of the taxi association. He also spoke with the husband of one of the women who remains hospitalized at the K.H.M.H. tonight. Here’s that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A fifty-three-year-old woman is hospitalized at the KHMH after being struck by falling debris at Novelo’s Bus Terminal here in Belize City. Ana Chanim and her husband Felito arrived at the station around midday and were on the sidewalk in front of the building when she felt a sharp and sudden pain in her right collarbone.
Felito Chanim
Felito Chanim, Husband
“What happened is that I came down here today, me, my wife and my son-in-law we went to an interview for a job for me, and after that well then we came back and had lunch and we decided to catch the bus to go back home to Belmopan. Doing so, my wife was behind me and I was walking in front of her and she paused to speak with another lady and the roof of the terminal, atop, the cement building roof, fell from up there and the piece of block fell on her shoulder. I don’t know what is broken, I don’t know what it is as yet but we have her in the emergency room at this moment. We’re not sure what the outcome will be.”
According to Thomas Garcia, a cab driver who operates from the terminal, he frequently hangs out in front of the building, along with members of his taxi association, to greet customers. Not once did they realize that high above them the roof of the building was breaking apart.
Thomas Garcia
Thomas Garcia, Taxi Driver
“All of us like to stand up outside, neva know that this thing ya di heng pan di side and none of us even look at it that kinda way, right. And apparently, you had two ladies and another man were standing out there waiting for somebody to come and pick them and sudden one dis thing ya just break away.”
Isani Cayetano
“What kind of assistance was given to the two women after they got injured?
Thomas Garcia
“Well, apparently deh mi di wait pan di ambulance but according to what I see, these taximen from out here, they rushed the two people to the hospital.”
The incident, says Chanim, was rather frightening. The falling debris sent passersby, as well as people entering the terminal, scrambling for cover.
Felito Chanim
“Everybody were really frightened. People were running all over the place because they think more was coming down. They thought that more of the building was falling I mean everybody was frightened because little bricks were falling, little small pieces, so everybody was running for shelter. Mein I was terrorized, I was frightened. The thing is, my wife was behind me, I didn’t even know that the thing fell on her because I think the impact that she got, at the moment, she didn’t react. She reacted like a couple moments after when she realized that she got hurt. That’s when she jumped and hugged me, you know, and when she hugged me she was falling and I had to lift her up because she couldn’t even stand up, you know, and it was frightening, really, because I didn’t expect something like that. That’s right out of the blues. You’re going into the terminal, this thing could have fallen on her head, imagine.”
In the wake of what took place earlier today, Garcia is making an appeal to the management of the terminal to assess the building for structural soundness.
Thomas Garcia
“I would like to make, well I would say the guy that runs this terminal and so on to keep on checking and make sure that this does not happen again because this is a lawsuit for these people, whiching these people neva touch nothing fi mek that could drop pan dehn, but what I am saying is that by right dehn suppose to check it out.”
Isani Cayetano
“Was there any response from persons who were in the building on the second floor?”
Felicito Chanim
“No, there was none. Just a couple employees sitting at the top laughing. I don’t know what was funny but I guess they found something funny about it, but nobody from the terminal itself who was in charge did come down and say anything or checked what was the problem. I would like to let them take responsibility as well because as I said, I am not working right now and hospital is a bill, so they should take some responsibility and see what they can do to help.”
Since the National Assembly Building was constructed in 1971, it has been the venue of the country’s parliamentary proceedings. But as the country grew over those years, so did the constituencies, which means that there are spacing issues. Aside from that, the building was in dire need of repairs. And the Government of Taiwan came through and provided the funding for the upgrade of the historic building. So, for the next twelve months, all House Meetings will be held at the George Price Center, while the necessary works are being carried out. Today, Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods called the media to the center to show us seating arrangements and how the temporary venue has been outfitted to carry out the proceedings. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
It was fifty-three years ago that this historic landmark, the National Assembly Building, was opened to conduct the people’s business. Now it has grown out of space and needs an urgent upgrade that will allow for the country’s most important business to be carried out there for at least a few more years.
Valerie Woods
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
“The National Assembly on Independence Hill was built and constructed and inaugurated in 1970. So we’re looking at 50 plus years without any major renovations. In addition to that, we’re looking at a national assembly legislature that has grown from when it was first inaugurated.”
Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods, says that the upgrade must include retrofitting that takes everyone’s needs into account.
Valerie Woods
“Not too long ago, there was a passage of the disabilities bill, which was made into law. And that was a very clear and glaring example that our legislature, even though it speaks to the House of Representatives, and it is the People’s House of Representatives, is simply not accessible. It’s not accessible by members of the public who have mobility issues, and quite frankly by members of Parliament, as well as staff who may have mobility issues, and media as well. So, that was also an urgent need to do that. It fosters inclusion as well.”
Over the next twelve months, the National Assembly Building will undergo major transformation to make it contemporary and necessary repairs to a leaky roof that deteriorated over time. But to get the work done, a temporary venue had to be identified where House Meetings can be held. Woods says the George Price Center for Peace and Development is that building. Even that venue had to be prepared to specificity for the business at hand.
Valerie Woods
“We worked with the board of the George Price. um, Center for Peace and Development and, uh, thanks to their accommodation and to the really the excellent work of the engineers, architects over at the, uh, Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and Housing, we are now able to hold a house meeting that will, a house, and of course, Senate meetings afterwards, that will be in a chamber that replicates that of the legislature, is functional, As for our Standing Orders.”
The only drawback to the current venue is that the space does not allow for a public gallery inside the building. So come Friday, when the first House Meeting will be held at the George Price Center, there will be no audience in attendance.
Valerie Woods
“The only option, quite frankly, to have persons present for the public gallery would be housing them under a tent outside with a big screen, but we’re, we’re taking this on a case-by-case basis. The House meeting tomorrow is our first real test run. We think we’ve done everything in the planning. We started as early as May. And with the, with the teamwork of the staff here, got it ready. And we think we’ve managed our anticipated glitches. But tomorrow will be our first test.”
The media has been assigned to a small seating area with chairs to carry the meetings live. When the renovated National Assembly Building is complete within the next year, it should have a more modern look, with improved acoustics and an overall improved working environment and accessibility for all. Marion Ali for News Five.
It’s been almost a month since the third C.E.O. in the Ministry of Transport has demitted office. The last C.E.O., Doctor Gilroy Middleton, joined the ministry in January, but only remained there for seven months before resigning. Today, the Minister of Transport, Rodwell Ferguson, assured us that there is no problem between him and his CEOs. To date, he has changed three chief executive officers. He explained that in the last case, it was simply a matter of Middleton getting a better job offer from the University of Belize.
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
“Before the CEO left, we had a very good relationship. He came and said Minister, I think my passion is in teaching. I want to go back into the classroom. I said go back in the classroom.”
Reporter
“And do you know who will replace him?”
Rodwell Ferguson
“At the moment I have one person working temporary until the prime minister decides to give me a CEO.”
