Economy - Channel 5 Belize

Something Stinks at Pound Yard Market

On Tuesday, vendors from the Pound Yard Market reached out to News Five to bring attention to the unsanitary conditions they have been working in for the past week. According to the vendors, the trash bins located at the back of the market have been overflowing, causing a foul smell to disturb the nearby vendors. They also complain that due to the recent rain, the trash bins have been leaking in the surrounding areas. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the market to hear from the vendors affected by this situation.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Pound Yard Market Stinks and no one is happy about it. Vendors and customers cannot bear the stench of trash and polluted water from overflowing trash bins placed directly near stalls. Vegetable Vendor, Armando Solis, who has a stall near the bins, tells us that he has tried every avenue to get the issue resolved for the past few days.

Armando Solis, Produce Vendor

“We already called the human department and I believe actually I cannot tell ypu who come to see it and the only answer that they give us that they was going to speak with the administration and the following day city council come and they said the same thing that they’re going to speak with the administration that happened last week and no nothing is happening we have been I have been spoken with the with one of the administrator that is supposed to be doing something for us about the garbage. And he said that they are working on it, but up to now we don’t see they are working on the garbage. And it’s an issue because we have a kitchen on the side. We have a vegetables vendor right there. And all the customers that are passing, they’re saying we have a, that’s not correct.”

The garbage is picked up once a week, on Wednesdays. By Monday morning the foul odor is unbearable, and the bins are swarming with houseflies. It is an unwelcoming environment where no one wants to purchase food. Ana Portillo, a food vendor for over ten years, says the market administration told her that she can relocate, but she does not want to uproot her business.

Ana Portillo, Food Vendor

“He say I have the option to move from here to that place, but this is my place for a long time, so I don’t want to move from here.”

Britney Gordon

“Your customers know that you are here, and so you feel that if you move, that might affect business too?”

Ana Portillo

“It could be.”

Previously, the bins were located further behind the market, but they have since been moved because of apartments being built nearby.

Armando Solis

“They just moved it front because I believe they’re doing some apartment da back. And they say that for the apartments, it’s not good, but it’s good for us.”

Britney Gordon

“That sells food.”

Armando Solis

“Yeah, that is good for us to have it there. And the apartments not even finish it. So the new customer have not reached there yet. We have been here for a couple of years and they don’t put that in value.”

To the vendors, the situation is dire, with no clear end in sight. According to the Pound Yard administration, it is a temporary situation. About a decade ago, similar complaints were raised at the nearby Michael Finnegan Market, but a garbage facility has since been built at the back of the market. Kelvin Aguilar, a manager at the Pound Yard Market, explained that the team is working to implement that very same solution.

On the Phone: Kelvin Aguilar, Manager, Pound Yard Market

“What happened is that we needed a location to put the garbage bin so that we can build the permanent foundation for the bin. What what we are doing now is that we are building some apartments on the right side of the property and we wanted to build a fence with a gate to facilitate the Belize Waste Control to come and pick up the bin, no? And due to the fact that this has always been Issue for us, we want to address it in the best for the best way possible. So we have also signed documents to get a bigger been, which is seven feet longer than the existing been that we have. And because the bin is bigger, we need a bigger foundation, the one that we are going to get we are going to put walls around it with a proper drainage system on the foundation, and we will have hours. In place for the entire market to come and throw away their to get disposed of their garbage.”

According to Aguilar, there was no where else to place the bins while the structure is being built, as Belize Waste Control needs enough space to pick up the trash. As a temporary fix, the market is purchasing a bigger trash bin and a shed.

On the Phone: Kelvin Aguilar

“We have put gravel and I have instructed the guys to also put lime. The white lime. This soaks up the little drainage that is caused due to the rain and the garbage and everything, which we believe that putting a shed is going to help alleviate that. What happened is that the vendors are getting rid of, of vegetables that haven’t sold and, all the waste and so when it rains, this causes the flies and all that kind of stuff. It causes a smell and everything. So we believe that by putting the shed and everything in place, it’s going to help.”

While the vendors wait for the problems to be resolved, the administration asks that they all throw their trash inside the bin, instead of the surrounding area, to minimize leakage.

On The Phone: Kelvin Aguilar

“We have to all work together to try and help this. It’s just a temporary situation, so I expect that by this next week, it should be solved.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

The Cost of Deforestation at the Supermarket

As we go about our day-to-day activities, not much thought is given on the impact of deforestation on scarcity and high costs of fresh produce at the supermarket. But certainly, we all feel the pinch when we visit the grocery store to purchase farm fresh products these days. Well, the experts lay the blame, in part, on climate change. When lush, virgin, forest is cleared for agricultural purposes the carbon they store is released as carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change. We have all seen the effects of climate change, from long periods of drought to unprecedented rainfalls. Now clearly, a small country like Belize is not making any significant contributions to global emissions, but experts would agree that deforestation is not doing any good. So, what value does the forest contribute to the agricultural sector? News Five’s Paul Lopez tell us more in tonight’s installment of Belize on Reel.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Data from the University of Maryland’s Global Land Analysis and Discovery show that Belize lost one thousand, one hundred and seventy square miles of forest cover between 2001 and 2023. That is six hundred and forty thousand acres of virgin forest.

Clifford Martinez, Climate Change Coordinator, Ministry of Agriculture

“Studies have shown, and indications have shown that the damaging sector has been with activities related to land clearing for agricultural production. So it is land use change for agricultural produce.”

Clifford Martinez is the Climate Change Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture. Research shows that when trees are cut down, the carbon they store is released into the atmosphere. These large land clearings are often undertaken for agricultural purposes. The agro-productive sector contributes just under twenty percent of the nation’s GDP.

Clifford Martinez

“And also where the sector itself represents a large portion of foreign investment earnings. As well as the population of individuals involved in the sector who benefit directly or indirectly and more importantly the percentage of the working force, the labor force, in and around thirty percent of the labor force are from the agriculture sector.”

Ironically, the effects of climate change, including unpredictable weather patterns and increasingly severe weather events, threaten the economic livelihood of persons working in the agricultural sector. Ever Blandon is a vegetable farmer and the secretary of the Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers’ Cooperative, a group of rural small farmers.

Ever Blandon, Secretary, Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers’ Cooperative

“With climate change it is very difficult to know when it will come, when you will have it. For example, two days ago in the night we had as much water that we get in a whole month, so that will put you in some kind issue with the vegetable. Cabbage, it cannot be more than two hours under water, and it gets spoiled.”

That then leads to a trickledown effect at the market and in grocery stores.

Ever Blandon

“That eventually will be a lose to the farmer and the market. Last year there was flooding and the cabbage was ready to harvest and some farmers cut it under water. And when they took it to the market it was spoiled. So, it is something that is a lose on all points. For the farmer and the consumer. Eventually you will have a high price on the market.”

Clifford Martinez

“We are in the north so the more common one is the drought that has affected us for the past three years, the sugar industry. We are still recovering from citrus greening in the south.”

Connecting the dots from deforestation to the high cost of fresh produce at the supermarket may not be as challenging when the effects of climate change are considered. So, what can be done to reduce these negative impacts from a policy standpoint? We asked the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“I think one is land degradation. It is absolutely important for the agriculture ministry and the department and us in the sustainable ministry to do agriculture in a sustainable way. Gone are the days when we just got bulldozers to clear down land to do agriculture. Also, looking at the land use policy which is now under way. Now looking at that land use policy, which land is appropriate for agriculture, which land is appropriate for land development in terms of urbanization. We see right now areas where especially in the south, going down the Hummingbird, when I was younger I use to go down very slow, because you want to see the beautiful scenery and two because their road was curvy, so you have to be careful. But we saw agriculture happening in the valley, but now we see agriculture happening on the mountain side.”

The future of Belize’s agricultural sector is at stake. But, sixteen-year-old rural farmer Jahzir Sanchez remains optimistic. This week, he participated in a climate change and agriculture forum organized by the Climate Change Office within the Ministry of Sustainable Development.

Jahzir Sanchez, Youth Farmer

“Me as a farmer, my grandfather before he died, he left us land right there. The forest we leave it like that. We don’t touch the forest. The forest is for sticks. We use it when we need to build corrals for the cows. We leave that, if necessary, we cut down. If not, it is necessary we don’t cut down. We have enough land to plant. We have the backyard. We have the field in front of the house. All these lands can be used, not only for football.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

S.I.B. Releases Consumer Confidence Index

How confident are Belizean consumers in the general economic conditions of the country? It’s a question that the Statistical Institute of Belize sought to answer by collecting information that measures consumers’ sentiments regarding their household’s own economic situation, making major household spending, as well as general economic conditions. The consumer confidence index stood at forty-five-point four percent in July 2024. The index is comprised of three components, including perceptions about how present macroeconomic conditions and the household’s financial situation compare to twelve months prior. It also looks at expectations about economic conditions, as well as the household’s financial situation over the coming twelve months. Thirdly, it looks at whether the present is a good time for making major purchases of durable goods such as homes, cars, furniture, and appliances. Elsewhere, the S.I.B. also indicated that consumer prices are up three-point-eight percent in July 2024, impacting food, restaurant services, home rental costs and liquefied petroleum gas. Increases were observed in nearly all major categories of goods and services, except for information and communications. Meanwhile, the External Trade Bulletin indicates that imports were up four-point-six percent, while domestic exports were up one hundred and twelve percent in July 2024.

Taskforce Established to Address Deforestation in Manatee Forest Reserve

At the start of August, News Five did an extensive report on increasing deforestation along the Maya Forest Corridor, as well as the Manatee Reserve. The Government of Belize has formed a temporary taskforce to investigate the matter. The reserve runs parallel to the Coastal Plain Highway. We found out that a substantial amount of forest lands is being cleared primarily for agricultural purposes. We also learned that these land clearings are posing a significant threat to wildlife that traverse the area. A G.O.B. release says that the temporary taskforce includes government stakeholders and at least seven NGOs. The taskforce is charged with reviewing legislation and regulations concerning Belize’s forest reserves considering global conservation standards, best practices and sustainability. The release notes that the taskforce will make recommendations on amendments to legislation and regulations, boundaries for existing forest reserves, among other things. The most urgent issues that the taskforce will address are illegal squatting, farming, animal rearing and logging within forest reserves, specifically the Manatee Forest Reserve. The release also says that these illegal and unauthorized activities have caused soil degradation and deforestation that contributed to recent floods affecting the Coastal Plain Highway in the Belize and Stann Creek districts.

PM Briceño Explains Stake Bank’s Compulsory Acquisition

The Government of Belize is compulsorily acquiring a disputed twenty-three-acre extension of Stake Bank Island. The news made headlines on Tuesday evening when a statement was issued following a cabinet meeting during which G.O.B.’s move was finalized. Well, tonight the Feinstein Group, the original proprietor of the island, says it will challenge G.O.B.’s compulsory acquisition. In a late afternoon release, the company referred to the decision as an unfair and improper high-handed interference in a private sector dispute that is live before the High Court. The release outlines several reasons why the Feinstein Group is challenging the acquisition. Among them, the group asserts that G.O.B. is siding with Honduran businessmen of questionable business practices. They are referring to the company out of Honduras that acquired the sixty-two million dollars loan associated with the Stake Bank cruise port project back in May after the project went into receivership. The release further asserts that these businessmen possess no experience in developing cruise ship port facilities. The Feinstein Group says it is aware that the decision to acquire the twenty-three acres came on the heels of a recent private meeting between one of the Honduran businessmen and Prime Minister John Briceño. This morning, we heard from Prime Minister John Briceño on the decision to take over the twenty-three acres on Stake Bank Island. Here is what he had to say.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“First of all, well, it’s like what you said, how you can compare oranges with apples. There are two different instances. In the first instance with the issue of the land for the hospital, there was a buyer and a seller. They met together, they negotiated one, had one higher price, they a lower price. They negotiated and then they settled on a price. On the Stake Bank land, as you all know this, there’s a legislation that was passed by the UDP whereby we deemed this project of national importance. And now that it seems that the, between the different investors, they have been having, issues. That project has been at a standstill. We have, I think, approximately two hundred and seventy million dollars. But because there is a dispute with the land, that project cannot be finished. And if you look at the numbers for the cruise lines, they’re going down, we need to be able to finish that project. We believe that as a government, what we did is first to put the first notice of acquisition. What does that trigger? It triggers then the owner to come to government and to say okay, this is my land and they negotiate a price. If a price, a suitable price cannot be worked out then we go to the second stage when there is compulsory acquired and then the courts take over after that. So it’s a simple issue.”

PM Says Compulsory Land Acquisition Won’t Cost Belizeans Anything

Of note, the prime minister was rushing off as the media approached him to get an interview at an event in Belize City. We did, however, get to ask whether the compulsory acquisition of lands on Stake Bank Island will cost Belizean taxpayers, and if so, then how much? Here is more from his explanation of the acquisition.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well, the problem is not with the center part. The problem is the area that was dredged around the island with only a two-hundred-meter opening for the land. And if we want to finish that project, then that land is essential as it is right now because no work is taking place. I’m told that probably as much as five acres have already been washed away, so we really need to move with a sense of urgency.”

Paul Lopez

“How much will this cost taxpayers?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It will cost taxpayers not one single cent, and why do we say that? When that was brought up to the Cabinet, the Cabinet then said the only way we’d consider this is if there’s an indemnity agreement. That when this is settled by the courts, if we go to the courts, then the investors they’re the ones that is going to be responsible to pay for that. And also apart from them just sending an indemnity we also have the financial backing. There’s a deposit in the government’s account as a down payment, plus also from another financial institution that will be responsible for the payment. So that’s there’s nothing much more to add to it.”

PM on $6.9 Million Land Purchase, “We have moved on.”

Prime Minister John Briceño was unwilling to speak any further on the six-point-nine-million-dollar hospital land purchase in Belmopan. He says the experts already spoke on Tuesday and answered all the questions. So, when he was asked whether the government will consider reversing the deal, he said, we have moved on.

Reporter

“Amidst the social and physical protests about the hospital land that’s been going on will the government consider moving it back to the UB land, especially since Godfrey Smith has said that you could change the location on the land?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well, I think honestly guys, if we were to do that, it would still cost us millions of dollars because a sale has been consumed. There’s a contract and any lawyer that’s worth its salt will tell you there’s a contract, unless the seller would want to come and say you know what I want back my money. Even if you’re to ask, so I think we have moved on. I think we’ve answered all the questions. The technical people have come on board and explained as to why they preferred this position. So, I don’t have any more to comment on that.”

Bernard Responds to Criticism on No Vending Carnival Rule

On Tuesday, the Belize City Council issued a release notifying the public that vending along the carnival route is strictly prohibited on carnival day. Shortly following the announcement, public outcry flooded social media. In response, Citco’s Communications Manager, Michelle Smith told News Five that vending is allowed on reserved spaces and private property. Today, we spoke with Mayor Bernard Wagner for further clarification.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“Vending is allowed. There is no issue there. No vending will be on the street where the carnival is taking place, but we have areas off the street, off street, that vendors will be allowed to work, to sell. I would suggest that they contact our PR department in that respect. But we have a lot of reserve areas in the city. That stretch and vending will be allowed on the areas that are not on the exact street that the carnival. Take for instance, Princess Margaret Drive, you’ll have one side of the street being utilized by the carnival, so the other side of the street will be allowed for vending. There’s no issue there. I think it was just communication, and if you have an issue and you don’t understand our communication, You call the city council and get the pertinent information. We have to get out of this, get pon social media and start to rant and rave. And there are ways how you go about discussing these issues and we never said that there would be no vending. We said that on the route, on the exact street that the carnival is is in held, you can’t vend.”

Reporter

“Alright, just to clear up on this concept, can you tell us a little bit about how you guys came to this decision? “

Bernard Wagner

“No, It’s a whole sort of it’s a lot of collaboration. The Carnival Association does have some restrictions in terms of BTL parking, we have certain covenants with those vendors in that area. And so we don’t want to jeopardize their ability to earn income in the park era. So we have said that era along the Digi park is a no vending era. So that allows those vendors in the park to be able to earn some measure of income for that day.”

CitCo Reiterates, “No parking along Carnival Route”

In addition to CitCo’s announcement that no vending will be allowed along the carnival route, City Hall also announced that parking on the streets or sidewalks along the route is also forbidden. Mayor Wagner explains that despite the tradition of tailgating to view the parade, it is a public safety hazard and cannot be allowed. Here’s what he had to say.

Britney Gordon

“Sir, in regards to the no parking rule, so people that park their cars and sit in the back of it to watch, that won’t be allowed at all. People that are in the back of their pickup trucks, none of that, that either?”

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“We have to do these things here with order. People da Belize, we tend to like disorder. Once there is order, we rant and rave. We love disorder as a community. We’ve got to change our culture. We are saying, listen you can’t have vehicles blocking the road to the carnival. We need the police to be able, law enforcement to be able, Move around in that era pretty freely. So you can’t have vehicles parking along the entire road. The other side where the carnival is not being held have to be cleared because that’s a road for police emergency. So people can come in their vehicle, but they’ll have to find alternative parking along the alternate streets.”

Belize Coast Guard Gets 110 Miles Range Drones

The Belize Coast Guard has been equipped with military-grade drones that will allow them to extend their patrol far beyond what the eyes can see. Two Skyfront Perimeter Eight Hybrid Drones were commissioned today at an opening ceremony at the Coast Guard’s headquarters just outside of Belize City. The Blue Bond and Belize Fund For Sustainable Development in the Office of the Prime Minister financed the purchase of the drones at one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars each, for a total cost of a quarter of a million dollars for both. And two more are expected to be acquired for the Belize Coast Guard by the end of the year. So, how will these high-flying, long-range drones assist the Belize Coast Guard in their efforts to protect Belize’s maritime space? News Five’s Paul Lopez was at today’s ceremony. He tells us more.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Belize Coast Guard has acquired two military-grade drones that can reach a maximum range of one hundred and ten miles.

Florencio Marin, Minister of National Defense

“Today the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security is demonstrating a new capability that is being added to its reputation. We are entering the domain of unmanned air systems. This new capability equips our Coast Guard with the cutting-edge technology required to conduct operations along our maritime border and beyond line of site well into our exclusive economic zone.”

The Belize Coast Guard is authorized to make detentions in Belize’s maritime spaces in instances where individuals are caught violating maritime regulations. The greatest challenge at sea is arguably illegal fishing. Individuals from neighboring countries often fish Belize’s waters without authorization.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“This new aerial fleet will serve as a second fleet and complement our marine vessels, enhance our monitoring capabilities and operational effectiveness across Belize’s blue. This fleet will also assist in our enforcement efforts of illegal fishing and drug trafficking and can contribute to the frequent search and rescue endeavors of our Coast Guards. This is very exciting.”

Attendees at today’s launch ceremony on the Coast Guard Compound were given a live demonstration of how the drones would work in a scenario where illicit activities are suspected at sea. In this situation, the drone was sent in to assess the suspected vessel, before the Coast Guard swooped in. The drone boasts proven flight times of over five hours and can carry eleven pounds for three hours or twenty-two pounds for an hour. So, delivering a Coast Guard hat to the prime minister is considered light work.

Rear Admiral, Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“The perimeter eight will conduct aerial operations for conservation efforts while simultaneously supporting the twenty-two other missions that the Coast Guard is chartered to conduct. The drone squadron will be charged with delivering intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition in support of the first and second fleet. Let me paint the picture for you, a pilot station that could be stationed here at the Coast Guard headquarters will be able to conduct surveillance operations from here to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. A pilot station here will be able to conduct surveillance all along the coast, from this station to Commerce Bight Pier in Dangriga. A pilot station at our based-on Hunting Caye will easily be able to patrol the Corona Reef and the entire Gulf of Honduras. Our operation base at Calabash Caye will be able to easily patrol our three atolls in support of our maritime operations.”

According to Prime Minister John Briceño, the benefits of these newly commissioned unmanned aerial assets are far reaching. He spoke about the blue economy’s role in poverty reduction, economic transformation and environmental protection. Effective monitoring of Belize’s blue spaces ensures the long-term sustainability of these objectives.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“In just two years since the groundbreaking of the Belize Blue Bonds initiative, we have made remarkable strides. WE have committed ourselves to a vision of a healthy ocean space where development is balanced between the needs of both nature and people. The Blue Bonds program is more than just a financial mechanism. It is a testament to our dedication to a nature positive economy and a people centric agenda. It is about ensuring that our marine and coastal resources continue to provide essential ecosystem services, protect us from the impacts of climate change and secure the livelihoods of future generations.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.