Category: Economy

The idyllic village of Caye Caulker, known for its ‘go slow’ attitude, just got a little more beautiful. For years, one of the island’s most popular attractions was the fish tucked away at Tarpon Cove. Everyday visitors and residents line up with a sardine in hand for a chance to see a tarpon leap from the water and eat from their palms. To enhance this experience for visitors and locals, the Belize Tourism Board, in partnership with the Government of Belize, has collaborated to see the pier at Tarpon Cove completely renovated. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the inauguration of the cove today to learn more about the project.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For years, Caye Caulker’s Tarpon Cove has been a source of excitement for those lucky enough to discover the tucked away pier teeming with fish just under the surface. For just a small fee, tourists and locals can watch as tarpons leap out of the water to feed from their hands as they hover it above the water. Now, these locals and tourist can enjoy the activity on a newly renovated pier as the Belize Tourism Board and The Government of Belize have collaborated to rejuvenate the area. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk management, gave us more information about the project.

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy & Disaster Risk management 

“It is surely a festive event. I can tell you that this is something that we have been working for quite some time. Now, when I’m in Somalia came around visiting some page on Caye Caulker, I’m looking at different projects that we can adopt and adapt to make changes to enhance what is already existing here in San Pedro and Caye Caulker When we always talking about just Shark Bay, Hol Chan, Mexico Rocks, the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. But there are little spots there that also are available that are very eye opening, but it’s still small and quaint. Now, when Minister Mahler and I spoke, that we want to do something good for this place, and how we can enhance it, we both were aware that we don’t want to commercialize it to the point where it’s out of hand. We wanted to bring that to the table. That balance for it to be sustainable to be quaint, but at the same time attractive and beautiful and we still keep that charm that key cocker has so today we’re looking at this and exactly what we have done.”

Perez said that one of the key missions of this project was to ensure that it would not impede on the natural resources or endanger the livelihoods of the local custodians. He said that creating a space that attracts tourists without over commercializing or exploiting the environment is a balancing act.

Britney Gordon

“How do you ensure that a project like this remains sustainable?”

Andre Perez

“Okay sustainability is actually a keyword that you’re mentioning as it relates to tourism and blue economy as well. We’re talking about that. Sustainable is key. It means that we have to find a balance at all times. We want to keep those tarpaulins there and take care of it. But at that, we don’t want to over commercialize. But we must also make the custodians benefit as much as possible. We can’t be the extreme that we’re environmentalists and we start to cut them where eventually they’re not benefiting. So it’s that balance that we’re doing. And the tourism product that minister Mahler talked about to develop the tourism product is all about that. And at the same time, Blue Economy is also about enhancing everything here, but being very sustainable to maintain everything here. The mangroves is important. It plays a vital role. So we can turn it around and make it a beautiful place with the mangroves. Don’t worry about the mosquitoes. Don’t worry about that. That’s something that we can work with and deal with. That’s how it is. Sustainable. This particular place we have here is a shining beacon of what we can do of sustainable growth. Sustainable growth that means by using our waters available here that we can exploit in a sustainable way and at the same time for everyone to enjoy it as well.”

Nicole Solano, CEO of the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations said that the idea for this endeavor has been in the works for a while, but it only began to come onto fruition this year. She said that it falls into alignment with the ministry’s goal of enhancing the tourism sector.

Nicole Solano, C.E.O., Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations

“This event here in Caye Caulker is just one of many projects that we’re doing for tourism. Uplifting the tourism product. This facility here at the Tarpon Cove is something that has been happening for such a long time. And it was really in accordance with the Minister of Tourism and the Minister for Blue Economy looking at what was needed in Caye Caulker together with the Village Council and some of the upgrades that were needed for the village for tourism. It had a, it always had a pair and people have been coming here for years. But it was indicated that uplifting that boardwalk and creating a nicer space would make for a better experience for guests. So that’s really what was the purpose of this entire project.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

The issue of redistricting remains in limbo, despite the Belize Peace Movement leading the charge. Last year the B.P.M. issued a consent order, requiring the Elections and Boundaries Commission to submit the recommendations for redistricting. However, this report still has not been submitted. The B.P.M. said that the call for redistricting is urgent as general elections are approaching and redistricting is necessary to meet constitutional standards of equity. Attorney Arthur Saldivar explained why the push for redistricting is of utmost importance.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney, BPM Claimants

“The Elections and Boundaries did their exercise. We went into the consent order, and they said that they would dutifully put proposals to the National Assembly that  will be consistent with the near equal standard. And of course, what do we expect? Legitimately, we expect it would be near twenty percent or below. We would have been we had arguments and discussions amongst ourselves. If they go fifteen percent that would be fine. But here the elections and boundaries presented us with a thirty-five percent deviation far from what we expected. So we dutifully and rightfully, went to the court in an application to say, listen, this is not right. But we want the court to enforce our rights by from the concept of legitimate expectations.  And this is important because if the elections and boundaries is afforded leeway to do to pick any number they want, what will stop them next year from doing redivisioning? And then they’ll pick fifty percent next year or forty percent or say that 60 percent is fine. A person in Fort George can elect a representative to parliament with two thousand five hundred persons. And a person in Belmopan or Belize, Stand Creek West or Belize rural south must It’s not that you must take five times that number to elect one representative. That is not equality.  You don’t need any kind of math to do that kind of, uh, calculations. So, it is important that we don’t sit by and allow this to pass. Otherwise, what will stop a less benevolent government, a less benevolent group of people coming into the elections and boundaries to say that. Well, if thirty-five is good, then forty-five is good, then 55 is good, who will stop them? So we say that at this point in time, accepting thirty-five percent deviation will not bring justice to our case because certainly we’re, we’re cut short of the international standard, we’re cut short of the constitutional standard.”

The housing budget is arguably the smallest allocation in this year’s fiscal plan.  But is the Briceño administration considering an increase in the expenditure set aside for the construction of new houses across the country?

Reporter

“Is there any potential that the housing budget would be increased via supplementary?  People have complained how minor it is.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well let’s put it this way, it’s way better than what the UDP were doing.  I mean, the UDP, they built no homes and so far we have built going to close to four hundred homes and that’s what you need to look at.  What is it that we’re getting for.  The UDP voted for eight million dollars every year and no houses were being built.  So we are building houses.  Yes, we said we want to do more but we have to do with what we have.  We are still looking around to see if we can get cheap long-term funding and we’re working on that.  Should we get that then obviously we are going to make it available for housing.”

Minister Balderamos-Garcia also gave an update on her ministry’s work with the draft Maya Customary Land Rights Policy. Viewers will recall that the policy received significant objections from several Maya communities after its distribution. Minister Balderamos-Garcia says revisions have been made, and along with her new director, they are seeking to balance the playing field in the Toledo district. Here is what she told us.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs 

“Our senior council, Mr. Marshalleck, along with Samantha Matute, we have gone back and looked at the policy and made a few adjustments to what was proposed. Because if you will remember, some of the Maya communities were saying that they didn’t like the section five, which gives you to begin with a concentric circle of a kilometer or two or three kilometers going out in terms of radius. They were not two happy about that. But I believe there was a misconception there. We were not saying to the Maya communities this is all the land you are going to get. What we were saying is that is your starting point without you having to prove use and occupation. Now one of the proposals in the policy is that if you wish to claim as communal land more than the two- or three-kilometers radius then you will have to prove use and occupation for at least thirty years. Some of them don’t want to hear that. But unfortunately, the government is not in a position to please one people, we have to create a balancing act. I can tell you that mister Requena will be reaching out to the non-Maya communities as well, Jacinto Ville, Yemeri Grove, Barranco, these are areas we also have to look at. We are waiting to hear from the legal advisor from the MLA group and then we will be reporting back to the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

The BelCan Bridge, built by the Government of Canada several decades ago is in dire need of replacement as the structure is deteriorating over time. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development says that there is not much more work that can be done to refurbish the bridge because of its dire state. But the bridge should be replaced as soon as the government gives the go-ahead to welcome tendering for a new bridge at that location. Today, Chief Engineer with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Evondale Moody, told News Five that hopefully the project for that bridge will begin this year.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“It’s a structure that really needs to be replaced. It’s more critical than Hawksworth. Definitely, because of the structure that is there. We have seen based on the assessment that we have done that the pairs that are there are at risk because of the spalling of the concrete from the piles. And so definitely that is a bridge structure that needs to be replaced. We had initiated the procurement process for that replacement structure. However, that was put on hold by the Ministry of Finance. And so at this point in time, we are currently awaiting a decision from them that we could proceed with the construction of that structure. So it’s not within the Ministry of Infrastructure’s decision right now to go ahead. We have to wait until we get a final decision from the Ministry of Finance, but it is a structure that urgently needs to be replaced.”

But the Hawkesworth Bridge that connects San Ignacio and Santa Elena can serve the public for another twenty-five years, according to Moody. But that will only be after the one-lane suspension bridge undergoes repairs. The Hawkesworth, which has been around since 1949, needs to undergo extensive work that will take six months. But Moody assures the public that the new bridge, which is a two-lane structure, is more than adequate to handle the traffic in the twin towns until the bridge is reopened again.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“What the Ministry of Infrastructure did a few months ago was that we did an assessment of the existing Hawksworth bridge because we knew that  It needed some kind of routine and periodic maintenance. And so what we did, we engaged a local consultant, Chias Engineering, for them to do an inspection and assessment of the bridge structure. As you’re aware, that bridge was  opened, I think, in 1949. And so the structure itself is approximately 75 years old.  Over time, the ministry has executed some repairs to the structure itself, mainly to the deck. However, at this point in time, we need to look at the main structure of,  the bridge itself, which is the suspension structure, the cables, we have to look at the  primary and secondary girders, we have to look at the deck for the vehicular traffic, and also the deck for the pedestrians.  Based on the assessment that was carried out  is recommended that we did some immediate. Periodic and maintenance works on that structure because we had some elements that are in need of critical maintenance. And so the idea was that we engage a contractor to do those works. So we went through a procurement process for us to engage a contractor. And that contractor that will be doing the works is Kyosteel Limited, and they will be supervised by Chia’s Engineering and also the MIDH. We have commenced some of those works under the bridge. However, it will take us more time for us to do the main and critical works that needs to be addressed on the suspension bridge itself. So in an effort to do those works and for safety as well  we believe it was important for us to close the bridge structure for that duration, which is approximately six months,  because they will be doing some sandblasting and other activities on the Structure where you will have workers working at high elevation, and so it’s important for us to keep your safety in mind and the safety of the motor in public as well that utilizes the bridge. And so in an effort to do that, the ministry thought it was critically important for us to close the structure, do those remedial works that needs to be done, and then reopen the structure once we’re completed.”

Like many Belizeans who did not get the chance to refuel before this morning, you may have noticed a significant difference in the prices. That’s because the cost of regular gasoline increased by twenty-three cents while diesel went up by thirty cents. As changes in fuel are a significant factor in the livelihoods of taxi drivers, we spoke to some today, to hear how they are feeling about this increase. Several noted that they were unaware of the increase as they had not stopped for fuel for the day. Bue Albert Robinson, a Belize City taxi driver of over forty years, said there was nothing to be said about the increase, as it was all a part of the reality in Belize.

Britney Gordon
“How long have you been driving a taxi, sir?

Albert Robinson, Taxi Driver, Belize City
“Well, I started back in 1977.  When I took off for about 8 years. I went to work with the Central Bank for free and the program for police for like five years and I came back here since then. So from about 1985 until now, I am operating the taxicab.”

Britney Gordon
“So how are you feeling about the recent change in gas prices last night, it went up about twenty-three cents for regular and thirty cents for diesel. How is this affecting you?”

Albert Robinson
“You know that you are telling me this. I didn’t know that it went up. Because one of the problems is that most of the time when gas prices fall, we know from the customers, because they want you to reduce your price too. They are telling you, oh, gas gone down, and you still charge the same fare,  but then when it goes up, nobody remind you,  and the thing with them, our business is not only gasoline, it’s wear and tear, plus you have to labor, you have to work, so you have to get some kind of income, from what you are making,  and there’s nothing planted out here, you got to get out here, and do what you need to do, and it’s good that I give thanks to some people that really patronize me for who I am, you know, I respect them and I give them thanks all the time because, especially out here at Albert Street, most of the taxi people, if you leave anything in your, in their vehicle, you’re sure to get it back. You know what I mean? Once they are aware that it is in there, they’re sure to get it back. So it’s safe and we do, we try to do the best we could in keeping, upkeeping the vehicle. And it takes maintenance, not only gasoline, you have to spend on everything. I think taxi operators are the people that contribute the most when it comes to taxis and things like that. Because when we make the little fare from the taxi, When we shop and buy anything, we pay taxes. We have to license ourselves. We license the vehicle, insure the vehicle.  So, where do we go from there? What do you understand from that? You know what I mean? And try to be as reasonable as possible with the fare. And try to be hospitable with the customers and give them thanks.”