PM John Briceño Responds to Sugar Road Issues in Corozal

Today, Prime Minister John Briceño responded to growing concerns over poor sugarcane roads in the Corozal District. Briceño stated that while funds and contracts are in place for repairs, weather conditions  continue to prevent progress.

“We will be wasting money if we try to fix the road right now, because then one day later, two days later, it’s going to break up,” PM Briceño said.

Earlier this week, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) raised alarm over the ongoing issues in a letter to the Prime Minister. CSCPA stated that despite claims that 90% of roads have been fixed, farmers in the district are struggling to deliver sugarcane to the mill due to ongoing road issues.

CSCPA also cited challenges like high humidity, pests, and investments made before the crop season, all affecting sugar cane quality.

Meanwhile, on the day that Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) opened its gates, BSI’s Financial Director, Shawn Chavarria, called the situation a “long-term failure.” Chavarria stated that this inadequate infrastructure has been an issue for years. “It’s been successive years of inadequate maintenance and repairs to these sugar roads for a critical industry,” he said.

Prime Minister Briceño addressed the issue, noting that weather conditions have delayed repairs. “We have the money. We’ve signed the contracts, and we’ve set aside even another million dollars plus to be able to fix the Sugar Roads, but until the weather clears up and it dries up, there’s not much that we can do.”