2024-03-19 - Channel 5 Belize

B.S.C.F.A. Says Prime Minister Making “Petty Excuses”

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is accusing Prime Minister John Briceño of lying to them. On January fourth, the association entered into a written agreement with the Prime Minister that brought an end to protests organized by cane farmers in Orange Walk. In the agreement, Prime Minister Briceño committed that a commission of inquiry would be established within three months of the signing of the agreement. Well, more than seventy days have passed, and that commission is yet to be operationalized. B.S.C.F.A. demanded that the commission be established to investigate the inner workings of the industry and to provide recommendations for its modernization. When reporters asked the Prime Minister about the delays, he noted that consultations need to be held with the other three associations, before the commission can commence its work. This prompted a press release from B.S.C.F.A. calling on PM Briceño to, ‘stay on track’. And today, the association called a press conference at their headquarters to say that the prime minister is making petty excuses.

Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A.

“We are very upset with his comments, his interview, the words that he used, because if you can recall in January fourth when we were in negotiations with BSI when he was one of the main characters in the negotiations between us and BSI, he signed a document with us in which he committed himself, he committed his government that within thirty days, after the signature of the fourth of January, that the commission of inquiry would be starting their work. And, we have the document that he signed. So, he is not knowledgeable to what he said. He knows very well. Now he comes out to say proper consultation was not done. Consultations was done long before. Consultations was done from July of last year. Even in the document he says that Cabinet has already approved for the commission of inquiry to do their work.”

Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee

“Two associations chose to participate, which was the Northern Association and BSCFA and Progressive and BSI chose not to participate. They were invited several times to participate in meetings, discussing the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry, consultations, and invitation to participate. They chose not to participate. That was their choice. Now their was an event that went further. During the negotiations for the commercial agreement, it came out that BSI is ok with the commission of inquiry provided that they are given the opportunity to name two commissioners. How will he say that these entities were not consulted and he is accepting himself that BSI has named two commissioners to form part of the commission group. This is absorbing the way he put his statements. These are petty excuses. And i want to highlight this as well, that in disrespecting the cane farmers, he disrespected a team that he authorized to work on this commission of inquiry terms of reference. He was the one that authorized this work to start from the beginning. And in his statement he disrespected them that they didn’t do the job he told them to do.”

Sugarcane Farmers Calls PM Briceño A Liar

Doubling down on their position, Ortega plainly stated that the association believes Prime Minister Briceño lied to cane farmers and Belizeans to put an end to the protest actions. Ortega also cautioned PM Briceño, contending that sugarcane farmers possess the power to significantly influence the outcome of the 2025 general elections in Orange Walk Central.

Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A.

“As you can see we have reached March and the signing of the document was in January. Thirty days was in February. So we have long past due that. Now that we have reached this stage and we have listened, because first we were waiting for the government or the prime minister to declare, because he said in his interview on Friday that he is the one in charge to declare the commission of inquiry. We were waiting for that, but when we listened to what he said on Friday we can clearly say he lied to us, he lied to the cane farmers and that is why we are here. We want to clearly see how the prime minister behaves, lying to the cane farmers, lying to us, lying to the Belizean people on his statements he said that we are not the only association. When we were negotiating and he was the one leading the negotiation between us and BSI, he was the one that was brining out some of these things for us to negotiate and reach a point that is beneficial to us and that is why he signed these documents. This is something I want to put very clear, because of the outcome of the town council election he comes and beats his chest that he gets an overwhelming support and he gave the sense like it is the farmers that gave the overwhelming support. Let me remind him that in town is a very small percentage of cane farmers that voted for the town council election and let us put it very clear, the town council results came by the works the council is doing, not by him.”

B.S.C.F.A. Calls on PM to Exercise Legislative Authority

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association also addressed Prime Minister John Briceño’s response to the High Court’s decision on the Sugar Export/Import Regulations. As we reported, A.S.R./B.S.I. challenged the regulations in court, and it was ruled unconstitutional. When the press asked the PM about the decision, he said that it was expected. His comments did not sit well with the association, because the legislation was one of the measures that the government sought to implement to remedy B.S.C.F.A.’s concerns over Fairtrade premium payments. Javier Keme, the Chairman of B.S.C.F.A.’s Finance Committee, says the Government of Belize has the authority to appeal the ruling.

Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee

“When he was questioned about the outcome of the regulations his choice of words was in a very insulting tone to the farmers that he was expecting that outcome and that is wrong from a leader to ascertain that. Why, because that means you are promoted as the leader of the government and you gave your authorization to go through something, a procedure that you already have perceived is to fail. That is wrong from a leader to make such a statement. Now coming to the ruling, the judge has all the authority to make certain comments of the ruling. He has all the authority to do such. But that doesn’t mean as a leader I will say I can’t do anything; the government can’t do anything. That is another wrong statement he has done. Why, government have two options in any ruling? In this case, five went against, four went in favor of the regulation. One option is to appeal. The statement he made to that question is that it is going to cost Belizeans thousands of dollars, taxpayers money. That is his response. When in other areas he has used taxpayers’ money recklessness. The second option is to accept the ruling of this judge, but as a legislator, change it and amend it and bring back the section that will not affect the constitutional right of such an entity.”

B.S.C.F.A. Weighs in On PM and C.W.U. Agreement

Reporters also asked the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association for their thoughts on the verbal agreement entered between the Prime Minister and stevedores who are members of the Christian Workers Union. Last night, we told you that the Prime Minister made a verbal commitment to compensate the stevedores a total of one point six million dollars in sugar redundancy payment. He noted that lawyers from both sides would meet and that an agreement may be signed by the end of today. Well, we are yet to receive an update on that signing as of news time. And, the B.S.C.F.A. says that while they hope for the best in this matter, they can no longer believe anything the prime minister has to say.

Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee

“When you lose the trust of a person, what happens. They are just being taken as a liar. When we saw what transpired with our colleagues from the unions, the outcome of it we were just thinking that on that regard the experience that BSCFA has gone through, we don’t trust words. We don’t trust verbal agreements. That is why we have, if what we have in black and white is making trouble for it to be realized, imagine what will happen between a lawyer and a lawyer, because that is what I understand from the news where it is. So I hope for the best for our colleagues, but it was just a verbal commitment, that is what I heard from the news. We at least got this written and it is still difficult for it to be fulfilled.”

B.S.C.F.A., “Sugar Industry Is Not for BSI”

And finally, from today’s press conference in Orange Walk Town, the B.S.C.F.A. is now demanding that an independent entity be established to market Belize’s sugar. They further demanded that legislation be included that speaks to compensation for sugarcane farmers for their produce and that amendments be made to clarify that the sugar industry is not for B.S.I.

Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Finance Committee

“We need an independent entity to market the sugar from Belize. Now, this call, and I will mention it categorically and choose my words carefully, the sugar industry Act needs to be amended in a way to clarify that this sugar industry is not for BSI. It is not for ASR. It has two owners, two stakeholders and that has to be put into law in the Sugar Industry Act. We are fifty percent owners of the industry because we have the production as producers. They are millers and that is wrong when you say that BSI is a private industry. That is wrong. They might be a private company, but we are two stakeholders in one industry and that needs to be reflected in the changes that the Sugar Industry Act needs. We need that the aspects of the payment of the cane to producers be put in law. You say it is going to be difficult, maybe the commission of inquiry will show enough evidence, enough information for you to do that. But if still your government is reluctant to act in that regard, there is an alternative for it. And it has also been ventilated in the past that there needs to be a mechanism to resolve disputes like the negotiations for a new commercial agreement.”

Jamie Young Still on the Run After Murder of Damion Baptist

Jamie Young is still on the run after Saturday’s murder of thirty-year-old Damion Baptist in Ladyville, a deadly attack that has been blamed on jealousy. Young is wanted for questioning by police in connection with the incident, that unfolded in Maxboro where Baptist and his new girlfriend, Amber Dawson, were traveling enroute to his house in Burrell Boom. They never got there because after the couple stopped at Dawson’s grandmother who lives near her ex-boyfriend, they became his target. The couple was pursued all the way to Ladyville where Young allegedly shot and killed Baptist, who was trying to escape the attack in heavy traffic. According to his mother, Shelmadine Baptist, his siblings and three children are taking the loss very hard. She said he had planned to purchase a bus this year and would have applied for a bus run to Belize City. Meanwhile, Amber Dawson says that since the incident happened, it’s all that she can think of, and she has wanted to go to work to distract her mind. She can’t, however, because her estranged ex-boyfriend is still at large.

Voice of: Amber Young, Girlfriend of Damion Baptist

“I wanted to go to work this morning, but I can’t keep staying in the house cause all I think about is what happened, and that’s not good. So, I want to be busy. It’s just – it’s not good. I’m stuck here. It’s hard. Deep inside, it’s just – I wish I could just get Baptist back.”

Voice of: Shelmadine Baptist, Mother of Damion Baptist

“My son deh very strong, but because da one ah dehn, dehn easily fall apart. They easily fall apart. Deh hurt. I know my son dehn really, hurt. I can’t explain the hurt weh dehn feel. So I said to my friend, I said, Jaimie nuh know what he did to my family. He just chance my son outta his life, take my son from his two daughters. He take my son from his two daughters. My son nuh get a break with his two daughters. He just chance my son outta his life, innocently.”

Mother of Murdered Man Says He Wanted To Be With His Kids

Shelmadine Baptist shared with the media that her son was an ex-B.D.F. soldier who wanted to be his own boss, so he left military life. His plan was to purchase a bus and to work on his own. But most of all, she said, Damion Baptist wanted to be with his children.

Voice of: Shelmadine Baptist, Mother of Deceased

“He was in the military. He left, I think like a year completely – a year and change. Yes, he left. He never did sign up back cause yoh know yoh have to sign up every so often, so he never did sign back because he wanted to have his own job. He said – the job, he wanted something different. The last time he talked to me and he said, Mommy, me and Robby wa buy wa bus. Dehn mi want buy the bus, but he mostly focus on the kids because he usually get them on holiday, so he was planning to get the kids for Easter, but I guess God had different plans, noh?”

Accused Murderer Elmer Nah Requests New Copy of Surveillance Footage

Earlier today, former police officer Elmer Nah appeared unrepresented before the lower court, where he requested another copy of a digital video disc containing surveillance footage of the deadly shooting on New Year’s Eve 2022 that claimed the lives of Jon, David and Vivian Ramnarace. Nah claims that the footage on the initial DVD that was provided to him is of poor quality and he cannot make out any of the faces of the individuals seen in the video. Notwithstanding the absence of prosecutor Alifah Elrington, the Chief Magistrate addressed the matter, informing Nah that he cannot be given the original DVD. In respect of his attorney’s absence from court today, Nah was also told that his counsel would be the one to address the issue of the DVD on his next court appearance. Despite his issue with the material, the Chief Magistrate ordered that he be furnished with another copy of the footage on or before his subsequent court date which is scheduled for April tenth. Nah’s case for triple murder continues with a preliminary inquiry on that given date, as he has been provided with full disclosure on the matter.

Family of Liston Williams Ask for Peace

On Monday, we reported on the unfortunate passing of twenty-six-year-old Liston Williams. The father of two was killed on March sixteenth, while he was just moments away from his home on Madam Liz Avenue. In an interview, police revealed that the murder was committed by an associate of Williams and that a suspect was in police custody. Today, we spoke with Williams’ family, who said that they hope no more violence will come out of the situation.

On the phone: Fade Williams, Sister of Victim

“So, yeah, we tek it hard, but we have to accept it for what it is. We have to accept it for what it is, and just move on and we just want to bury we brother inna peace. And whatever happens, when he dead, we just want that stay weh dat deh and we wah left everything to God.”

Britney Gordon

“Have you been in contact with the police or anything?”

Fade Williams

“No really get in contact with no police or nothing. We just wah whateva happen stay deh. We noh get nothing from the police, so we no know nothing about it. We noh know nothing much about it. All we know ney kill, ney shoot ah and that da mi it. Weh have, all weh we have da ih kids ney in memory.”

Allan Pollard Jr. Returns to City Hall as Deputy Mayor

There was a vote earlier today to choose a deputy mayor from among members of the newly sworn in Belize City Council. Viewers would recall that Mayor Bernard Wagner went on record immediately following the municipal elections victory on March sixth to suggest that CitCo would do well with a female deputy mayor at his side. When the council met at City Hall today, a vote was taken and seven of the ten councilors voted in favor of Allan Pollard Jr. to return as second in command of the Belize City Council. Pollard went up against Kaya Cattouse who garnered three of the remaining votes. We understand that Mayor Wagner, who Pollard attempted to run against for head of the municipal government, abstained from the exercise.