2024-02-13 - Channel 5 Belize

CitCo to Introduce Electric Vehicles to Taxi Association

Today the Belize City Council put on display a fleet of heavy-duty equipment and two brand new electric vehicles that it will assign to the taxi stand in front of the Battlefield Park. According to Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, the council has been able to increase its vehicle fleet from one pickup truck in 2018 when it first took office to twelve in 2024. Today, the mayor invited the media to show us three pieces of equipment and the electric vehicles that were purchased at a total cost of over nine hundred thousand dollars. Part of the display was a brand new compactor truck – first of two donated by Japan. News Five’s Marion Ali brings you this report on the new acquisition.

Marion Ali, Reporting

To improve the quality of work it does, the Belize City Council has purchased a fleet of heavy-duty equipment and electric cars. Mayor Bernard Wagner invited the media to have a look at the vehicles.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“We wanted to continue to add to the fleet. And as you can see here, we have backhoes, we have graders, and we want to continue to build along that line.

These equipment are have been purchased by the city. It’s Gili brand. It’s a Chinese made brand. I think each one of them cost about $50,000.”

The compactor truck was the first of two, valued at over half a million Belize dollars, that the government of Japan has gifted to the council, after contracts were signed in 2022. According Kaya Cattouse, the councillor responsible for sanitation, the vehicles will help the municipal government, in improving its efficiency in collecting garbage.

Kaya Cattouse, Councillor for Sanitation, Belize City Council

“The impact of this new equipment at the sanitation department cannot be overstated. With enhanced capabilities and efficiency, we will be able to accomplish more of our mission to keep the City clean. These compactors will enable us to streamline our waste collection processes, improve our response times, and enhance the overall cleanliness of our streets and neighborhoods.”

These two white EUVs, as they are called, will be assigned, in this first instance, to the Battlefield Park Taxi Association. The mayor explained that the taxi drivers and the council will have lease agreements with their members to run the vehicles as taxis that they can someday own. Wagner said that eventually, all taxi associations in Belize City will be introduced to this eco-friendly means of transportation.

Bernard Wagner

“The taxi owners associations all across the city will really benefit from this initiative because our agreement is a lease-to-own eventually. Certainly we look at how we depreciate the vehicle. We want to ensure that we have the financial model, to ensure that we are able to meet the investment that we got for the e-taxis, we want to ensure that we have a maintenance component in it. We also want to ensure that we are able to pay the drivers out of that. And also the city has to get back its little return on investment, obviously. And at the end of the term, we are able to say to the taxi driver, here is this taxi, it’s now yours. The taxis will be run on the type of system that you have in the United States, similar to Uber.”

Wagner explained that the reason for the investment in electric taxis is to promote a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

Bernard Wagner

“We wanted to do this as an investment, right, to ensuring that we drive The e-mobility we build the ecosystem here in Belize City. We are not driving any of the taxi owners. And it’s starting the ecosystem of e mobility of really transforming the, local public transportation in the city.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Compactor Truck from Japan Will Be Used in Hotspots

As the mayor explained, the other garbage truck will arrive in the coming weeks and will be used to complement the Council’s sanitation efforts. Wagner explained that while the council has existing sanitation contracts in place with the Belize Waste Control Company, the compactor trucks will be used in those areas of the Old Capital that are garbage dump sites and hot spots.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor Belize City

“We wrote the concept paper to the Japanese Grassroots Board and they approved it for two new compactors which will really enhance, again, our ability to look at the hotspots. We do have existing contractual obligations with B.W.C, but we still have our obligations as well to the city in ensuring that those hotspots are addressed in a timely fashion. We have our night team. These will not be used for commercial, residential garbage. It’s just to enhance our night team support system.”

Coming Soon, Electric Taxis, Uber Style

As the mayor explained earlier, the electric vehicles that the City Council has purchased will be offered to the Belize City taxi associations on a lease to own basis. Today, the Council had two of the vehicles on display, with another two expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks. Mayor Wagner told reporters that City Hall is taking the lead in introducing eco-friendly forms of transportation that should result in bigger profit margins for the taxi drivers who lease them. And for the people who use the service, they will be able to use an app on their phones to access taxi services.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“It’s locally built, Mi Driva app which will be used to really track how these vehicles are running all over the city. The people who want to access these taxis will be able to go on their phone app, get the Mi Driva app, tell the driver pick me up at this spot. It comes, pick you up drop you off to where you go. It will also play a big role and we were talking to the Minister of Tourism who is very excited about this venture because many times we have the overnight tourists who come to believe city and many times they have nowhere to go. They would want to go on the entertainment strip, but the hotel is Biltmore and they’re a bit wary about moving and not knowing how they’ll get back. Having the app on their phones, similar to what is there in the United States- Uber. We’re excited about these E-taxis, which is a compliment to the e buses. We want to see this integrated into the system. We have a target association and we want to work with the downtown Battlefield Park Association and once we are able to get these four off the ground, it’s now your own. We go to another association and we continuously build the system out so that eventually in Belize City, you’ll see gone are the ice make vehicles, but they’re being replaced with E-taxis, E-mobility, electric vehicles which really guarantee the lowering of congestion in the city. It will lower pollution in the city. You’ll have a much more reliable, effective and efficient type of public transportation. This is an opportunity to really have a better return. If you are running on electric man, you will be able to make much more rather than the fuel, the gas – which you are crying about the gas prices. So now, if we are going electric, that means your return on investment more than likely should be a bit more palatable.”

K.H.M.H. Receives Upgrades through B.T.B. Partnership

The Belize Tourism Board and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital have struck up an unexpected partnership in order to improve healthcare facilities and support Belize’s tourism industry. Both parties signed a Memoriam of Understanding for urgent repairs of the Accident and Emergency Unit. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the K.H.M.H. and has the following story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is about to undergo some much needed changes with the renovation of its Accident and Emergency Unit. According to KHMH CEO, Chandra Cansino, the department has been in need of these renovations since it was overwhelmed during the COVID pandemic. However, the hospital struggled to find funding to make the repairs. She spoke with us to explain what these changes will look like.

Chandra Cansino, C.E.O., K.H.M.H.

“This partnership with the BTB started actually maybe a little less than a year ago when we were approached about how the Belize Tourism Board, well the Ministry of Tourism could support the Coalition Memorial Hospital and taking into consideration that they have a priority for their visitors as well. And so we came up with the idea to renovate the accident and emergency unit simply because that is the area where all emergencies come and in the event of, a mass casualty or any unfortunate event that may involve visitors to Belize, we wanted to be able to make sure that we have it upgraded and fit for the use by the public.”

Britney Gordon

“What areas will specifically be targeted in this renovation?”

Chandra Cansino

“It’s specifically the Accident and Emergency Unit. What happened is this is the area that became the COVID unit during the pandemic. And so the Accident and Emergency Unit was moved from here to the clinics. And this area was the COVID unit. So it endured a lot of wear and tear, a lot of beating, a lot of use. Everything was new and so since then, nothing has been done to address the physical look as well as equipment that was used and needs to be replaced.”

According to Cansino, the project is still in its preliminary stages and has not secured a contractor as yet.

Chandra Cansino

“We have identified what needs to be done. So we submitted our wish list, as we would call it to the BTB because in these types of partnerships, it’s not really only what you want. You have to submit justification, your budget, your project, your plan. And so we submitted that and they approve a part of what we submitted. So we now need to sit down and prioritize and decide what exactly we will do first. And then we will be able to move to contractors.”

Cansino stated that over ten thousand dollars will be tendered during this process and will be used for repairs to the ceiling, floors and to upgrade equipment.

Chandra Cansino

“We followed a normal tendering process. I think it’s over ten thousand and we have to tender to the public. It is a very public, transparent process. We are audited every year by external auditors, so there is nothing for us to hide, and whatever we need to tender, we will be tendering for.”

Britney Gordon

“What areas of priority do you have for this project?“

Chandra Cansino

“The areas of priority are twofold. They’re physical, because I think you all saw when you came in how beaten and battered it is. So we want the appearance to people when they come into the institution. People come here in emergencies and so they’re already in a vulnerable state and you want them to feel that they’re in a place that they can trust and that they will be treated nicely. And so that goes along with how the place looks. And so you certainly want to upgrade replace the broken tiles and the broken ceiling tiles paint the walls and change whatever we need to change so that we elevate the standard that we provide to OUT 3:25 the public.”

The Belize Tourism Board has undertaken several projects within the last few months in an effort to enhance Belize’s thriving tourism sector. Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler stated that tourism also includes ensuring adequate healthcare.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

“WE have invested in equipment and other things for different hospitals across the country, especially Karl Heusner. We’ve supported them through the diaspora unit with beds, wheelchairs, and other equipment that they needed. And so this is just an ongoing program that we have to uplift healthcare in the country. We are advocates for the hospital in San Pedro as well, because we know the value of having people have peace of mind when they come to the country. If anything should happen to them, they know that they’re going to be well taken care of.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Police Seek Steven Diaz for Murder OW Baker Josh Ku

The lifeless body of nineteen-year-old Joshua Ku was discovered at an isolated location along a dirt road in the Rhaburn Ridge area, near the fringes of Orange Walk District. He had been stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday morning, before being dumped along a lonely road several miles away from where he lived with his grandfather in Orange Walk Town. Tonight, a wanted poster has been issued for the arrest of twenty-two-year-old Steven Diaz. He is wanted for questioning for his purported involvement in the murder of the young baker. As we reported on Monday, Ku’s family strongly believes that he was killed by his ex-girlfriend’s brother after leaving a nightclub on the morning of February eleventh. Diaz is one of several individuals who may be connected to the weekend murder.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Yes, there are several persons detained for this investigation.

Reporter

“Do police have a motive behind this murder?”

Hilberto Romero

“Not at this time. All we have is that he was with these persons and he got into a car and left with them from the nightclub.”

Reporter

“Are you able to say whether someone they have detained has confessed?”

Hilberto Romero

“I cannot say at this time but the body has been located.”

Nadia Ku, Mother of Deceased

“It hurts me because my son is just nineteen [years old]. Next month he would have been twenty. And Josh wasn’t a troublemaker, everybody that knows Josh knows that Josh is a loving person, keeps to himself. If he needs, he’s going to ask me only, his mom, because it has always only been me and him and my parents, my dad and my mom, and my sister. He has always been, and I try, although he didn’t grow up with his dad, I tried to be the best mom for him. Even people that I know and talk to, I always say, my son, he does use to go to church. He has a good friend and he always comes and find him when he’s here and he’s like, “Josh, let’s go.” “Josh, where are you going?” Mommy, I am going to church.” “Okay, fine. Pray for me. I love you.” It was always like that with Josh. He was loving and caring. He did not deserve to go like this.”

Selgado’s Abetment Trial Concludes in High Court

A decision will be rendered by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim on March eighth, in a trial against attorney Oscar Selgado that concluded earlier today. Closing arguments were made this morning by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior, who represents Selgado in the criminal matter. Lucas put forward to the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryly-Lynn Vidal compromised a fair trial for Selgado who is accused of abetment to commit murder. Lucas posited that this was done when the DPP attempted to have the Commissioner of Police record a three-way call with her and Giovanni Ramirez who was allegedly hired to kill Marilyn Barnes.

Reporter

“How do you feel about the closing arguments today?”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“I don’t think there any surprises from the other side in terms of what I expected them to come to say.”

Reporter

“He also submitted that Marilyn Barnes had no locus standi to complain before the General Legal Counsel. Does that hold any water for you?”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“What is stated is not actually the substance of the complaint. She did actually have a complaint before the GLC and she had the right to make the complaint that she did. The actual nature of the complaint is not before the court, that was excluded at the case management conference stage.”

Reporter

“He said that you’ve not explained at all what happened to the DPP’s CDs.”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“Tat was also dealt with at the case management stage. The copy of the CD also went missing from the Office of the DPP.

Reporter

“An argument was made likewise that there should have been expert opinion to validate the testimony of a police officer having heard a tape and that wasn’t done.”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“I don’t recall that submission being made.”

Reporter

“Okay, so in terms of the judge accepting the secondary evidence, as well as basing the judgment on hearsay, do you feel that it’s a strong case that the Crown has?”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal

“We wouldn’t have been prosecuting him if we didn’t think that there was a likelihood that he would be convicted.”

High Court to Hand Down Decision in Selgado Matter

In court this morning, Lucas asked the judge to set aside the evidence presented by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and former Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino. He argued that admitting the secondary evidence would be prejudicial to Selgado and pointed out to the court that their recollection of the audio recording was inconsistent. On the other hand, the DPP asserted that the testimonies provided by the ComPol and the former Inspector are standalone proof of Ramirez’s statement.

Reporter

“What does it mean that he’s also telling the judge and I think the judge also said himself that he must approach Giovanni Ramirez’s statement with a lot of caution? Could that hurt your case?”

Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions

“Those are the words that need to be used. Those are ordinary words used in directions to judges, to juries when considering evidence. Giovanni Ramirez did not actually come to testify, he did not go into the box and give his testimony and he wasn’t cross-examined. So of course the judge is being asked to rely on a written statement, so the judge has to approach it with caution. That does not mean that he cannot rely on it and in this case, as you have seen, there are so many aspects of that statement that have been independently confirmed. So our argument was that of course, the judge can reach the position that he can safely rely on that statement.”

Accused Murderer Deemed Unfit to Stand Trial

Justice Candace Nanton has ruled that a Belize City man who stands accused of murder is insane and unfit to make a plea. Fifty-two-year-old Shedrack White is accused of the July 2020 murder of William Rubio in Belize City. In late January, Justice Nanton handed down her ruling in White’s competency hearing. She deemed him unfit to stand trial for murder. Today, White returned to the High Court to hear the judge’s decision on where he will be placed given his mental state. In handing down her decision, Justice Nanton noted that while Belize does not have any mental facilities to house White, he should not be deprived of the help he deserves. And so, Justice Nanton ordered that, White be detained in a safe place at the Kolbe Foundation, until further notice; that he is treated for his mental disease, namely Schizophrenia, and that reviews are done every six months as part of his treatment. The outcome of those reviews will be made known to the court, including any review that shows he is fit for trial. During the competency hearing, Doctor Alejandro Matus, told the court that after four evaluations it was determined that White suffers from the mental disorder. He explained that it causes him to lose touch with reality and familiar functions and that it can only be treated, not cured. Before handing down her decision this morning, Justice Nanton said that White has not been found guilty of any offense, but only unfit to plea. She further explained that the purpose of the court is to keep him safe until and if he could be found capable of entering a plea at a later date. Notwithstanding the court’s decision, Doctor Alejandro Matus has highlighted that it is likely White could ever be fit for trial. When the crown asked Doctor Matus what it will take for White to be released back into society, he responded saying White has to be on permanent treatment. When asked what would be the outcome if White does not take his treatment, Doctor Matus said he will be a risk to society.

Attempted Murder Trial against Former Coast Guard Officer Continues

The trial for attempted murder against former Coast Guard Officer Keyren Tzib is coming to an end with both defense and crown opening and closing their case. Tzib stands accused of trying to kill her former Coast Guard colleague, thirty-seven-year-old Kurt Hyde in April 2015. Allegations are that at the end of a joint maritime operation, Tzib took an M4 Carbine rifle and fired it in Hyde’s direction, hitting him once in the head. On January twenty-sixth, Tzib chose to give a dock statement in her defense. In her statement, Tzib explained to the court that she had no intention of harming Hyde. She stated that the gun had gone off accidentally because she stood up and the waves were rocking the boat at the time. She further noted that she had little experience with handling a firearm and that she is very sorry that it happened. In her defense, her attorney, Darrel Bradley, called two witnesses, Psychiatric Nurse, Ingrid Bennett and Clinical Psychologist Crystal Humes. Nurse Bennett informed the court that she treated Tzib between 2011 and 2019. She stated that in 2011, Tzib had an anxiety and depression disorder for which she was receiving treatment. Nurse Bennett further explained that only days before the incident, Tzib was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which may have derived from an allegation of rape. According to Nurse Bennett, Tzib was on medication at the time of the incident. Humes told the court that she did a test on Tzib in October 2023 in which PTSD was identified as the most pronounced mental illness. At the start of Tzib’s trial, the crown presented evidence in the form of statements coming from several witnesses that were on board the vessel at that time of the incident. Noel Lanza, a BDF soldier, stated that he saw Tzib stood up, took aim and fired a shot. Delon Castro, a boat captain for the Belize Port Authority, stated that he intervened by pushing down the gun after Tzib had fired the shot. Tyrone Young, a Coast Guard officer who has since passed away, said in his statement that Tzib pointed the gun towards the front of the boat then he heard a loud bang.

Michael Baptist Sentenced for Stabbing Eugene “Fat Back” Webster

A man who attacked his stepfather, stabbing him multiple times back in July 2016, has nine years and one month left behind bars to serve for the crime of dangerous harm. Twenty-seven-year-old Michael Baptist Junior, also known as “Chucky” was found guilty of dangerous harm in the High Court by a jury of nine persons, on Thursday, November thirtieth, 2023, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim. In imposing the sentence, Justice Pilgrim took into consideration the aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as a Victim Impact Statement from the stabbing victim, Eugene Webster. His starting point was thirteen years, after he took into consideration the fact that Eugene Webster was stabbed multiple times to the abdomen causing his system to collapse. Justice Pilgrim also considered the fact that Webster now refers to himself as being partially handicapped and the fact that the crime was committed with a deadly instrument. Justin Pilgrim further noted that the stabbing incident appeared premeditated and that the trust factor was infringed upon, as Webster placed trust in him and had assisted him financially on the day of the incident. As a result, Justice Pilgrim increased the sentence to fifteen years. However, because Baptist has a conviction for theft and showed no remorse during the trial, he increased his time by 6 more months, bringing the time to fifteen years and six months. Justice Pilgrim then deducted four years and six months after considering a psychiatric evaluation that Baptist underwent in which he reportedly expressed remorse and a desire to do better. That brought the sentence down to eleven years and twenty-three months. Baptist has spent the last two years on remand, leaving him with nine years and one month left to serve in his sentence. The maximum penalty for the offense of dangerous harm is twenty years.