2024-05-09 - Channel 5 Belize

PM To Meet With Mexican Electricity Supplier Over Power Outages

Tonight, we begin the news with a recurrent issue that has become a serious concern for anyone who does not have access to a generator – power outage. Earlier today parts of the country experienced a power outage that lasted almost six hours. But while Belize Electricity Limited has reasoned that load-shedding, which is even distribution of the power outages, is necessary to maintain the stability of the national grid, it did not offer a reason for the extended blackout. The outage was beyond annoying, especially for people whose job sites and homes are not equipped with generators to beat the heat. B.E.L. has not given notices of the continuous “load-shedding”, which suggests that the outages are not planned. It mentioned in a notice that its teams continue to work to restore power with the help of its Westlake gas turbine. Prime Minister John Briceno says he will be northbound on Saturday to meet with CFE representatives in Cancun, Mexico.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“BEL’s mandate is transmission and distribution and I know that in many instances, BEL was trying to also produce energy, but that’s not their mandate. What has failed is the process in the previous government with the PUC and I know that the PUC and BEL have always been having this struggle and my message to both of them is we have to stop this foolishness and we need to be able to work together and I believe that we’re seeing that now. The PUC, BEL and the Ministry of Energy all have to be able to work together. So on Saturday, after the funeral of the late Honourable Mike Espat then I’ll fly to Cancun to meet with AMLO and officials from CFE to see how they’d be able to stop the blackouts in Belize. As the CEO of BEL has explained, we have two engines that are going to be commissioned. One is this week, which is about 30 megawatts and once we do that, then we would be able to hold out own. Fortunately, we have already bought a 21 megawatt [engine] that is already stationed in San Pedro. That should be commissioned by the end of the month. Once we have that, that would give us a capacity of about 51 megawatts of electricity. It means that is CFE would need to cut off Belize, these generators could take over without anybody losing electricity and then once CFE can provide to us then we can shut down these engines and get again from Mexico. I know some people ask why would we buy from the Mexicans. We buy from the Mexicans because it is cheaper than using the diesel engines. So we have a plan. I understand the frustration. Myself get upset when my house gets blackout because my house gets blackout too.”

Reporter

“You don’t have a generator?

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t have a generator (chuckles) so I understand the frustration and it has a direct impact on all the work that we’ve been doing these three years, in tourism, the economy, the call centres, in agriculture, production, so we cannot afford this.”

PM Says Belize’s Rapid Economic Growth is Responsible for Power Supply Issues

The Prime Minister said that the country is experiencing power outages because of the rapid rate of the country’s growth. He described it as being victims of our own success.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“BEL projected the level of energy that we’re using, we would have been using it in 2028. We are a victim of our own success. The economy has grown so fast that we’re consuming so much energy for 2028 in 2024 and that is why we’re caught in this, but no excuses. We have to make sure to fix the problem.”

Portico Developer Says He Hired Morales/Peyrefitte to Draft Definitive Agreement

As you heard last night, developer David Gegg said that someone from the previous government solicited campaign financing from him prior to the 2020 general elections and informed him via message that it would be the requirement for him to receive environmental clearance for the project. Gegg said that he did not facilitate the stipulation, but after having several meetings with the relevant parties, he felt certain that the project would materialize and hired the law firm of Morales-Peyrefitte to draft up the Definitive Agreement.

David Gegg, Portico Developer

“Having provided all the necessary documents to all parties, and with our environmental studies nearing completion, and having no reason to believe that they would not pass muster, we retained the services of the law firm of Morales Peyrefitte LLP, as a Definitive Agreement was now needed. That firm was recommended to me as a firm that had experience with the drafting and negotiating of agreements with the government. I, at that time, instructed Mr David Morales to draft the Definitive Agreement in conjunction with attorneys from Boskalis in the Netherlands. After several months and after amendments were made by the relevant parties, the draft Definitive Agreement was forwarded on June first, 2021 to Ministers Panton, Peyrefitte, and Contreras.”

David Gegg Says He Did Not Question Former Minister’s Authority

Gegg said he did not think that Contreras, an agent of the state, needed approval from any other minister of government, certainly not Panton, who was a junior minister, or the former Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, who was an unelected minister, in order to sign the agreement. But Gegg said the agreement would not be signed until Portico had obtained environmental clearance, which his attorney indicated was possible.

David Gegg, Portico Developer

“I consulted with Mr Morales, who advised this was doable and he proceeded to amend the agreement. He sent it to me, and I in turn shared it with Minister Contreras. Several days later, I was told that the signing of the Definitive Agreement would be on October 1, 2020 in Belmopan. I attended that meeting and the document was signed. I don’t question whether Minister Contreras could have signed that agreement. I must say that I was not aware of any protocols or procedures which the government at the time may have had, but I knew that he was the substantive minister appointed by the governor general. He was an agent of the state. In my view, he did not need permission from Mrs Taegar-Panton, a junior minister or Michael Peyrefitte, an unelected minister, especially as those persons were clearly and openly supporting other competing interests.”

Businessman Sunjay Hotchandani Says He Sold Land To Portico Enterprise

The first witness to appear during yesterday’s senate inquiry proceeding was Sunjay Hotchandani, a resident of Belize City who said that he was the director of several companies that deal with real estate business. He opened with a prepared statement. Hotchandani refused to answer many of the questions that were asked, on the advice of his attorney. His reasons for refusing to answer was, “it does not relate to the terms of reference of the inquiry”.

Kevin Herrera, Senator

“Are you familiar with the company Key Star Limited?”

Sunjay Hotchandani, Businessman

“Yes.”

Kevin Herrera

“Fire Star Limited?”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“Yes.”

Kevin Herrera

“Vision Project Limited?”

Kevin Herrera

“Alkaline Limited?”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“Yes.”

Kevin Herrera

“Building Blocks Limited?”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“Yes.”

Kevin Herrera

“Inaudible…”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“Yes.”

Kevin Herrera

“Build Zone Limited?”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“Yes.”

Kevin Herrera

“Are you a director of any of those companies or all of those companies?”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer your question because it does not relate to the terms of reference.”

Kevin Herrera

“Are you a shareholder of those companies?”

Sanjay Hotchandani

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer your question because it does not relate to the terms of reference.”

Hotchandani Says He Sold Land to the Portico Enterprise

While Hotchandani initially refused to state his relation to the nine companies, he later revealed that he is the director of the companies and that the companies sold land to Portico Enterprise. Upon checking with his legal advisor, the businessman later admitted to Senator Bevinton Cal that his companies had sold lands to the developers of the Portico project.

Bevinton Cal, Senator

“Mr Sanjay, with all due respect, these are general questions that I’m asking. Are you familiar with Portico Enterprise Limited?”

Sonjay Hotchandani, Realtor

“Yes, I am.”

Senator Bevinton Cal

“Can you elaborate on your familiarity with the company?”

Sonjay Hotchandani

“I’m just familiar with what’s the public knowledge.”

Senator Bevinton Cal

“Can you explain what is that, Sir? The public knowledge.”

Sonjay Hotchandani

“That they’re trying to build a port.”

Senator Bevinton Cal

“Have you had any encounter with any directors of the said company?

Sonjay Hotchandani

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer your question as it does not relate to the terms of reference.”

Senator Bevinton Cal

“Again, Sir, with all due respect, these are general questions that I’m asking. Mr Sonjay we have a document here. You said earlier that you were familiar with Key Star Limited, Vision Project Limited, Alkaline Limited, Build Zone Limited, what is your familiarity with these companies?”

Sonjay Hotchandani

“On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer your question as it does not relate to the terms of reference.”

Senator Bevinton Cal

“Are you familiar with Vision Project Limited?

Sonjay Hotchandani

“Yes.”

Senator Bevinton Cal

“Mr Sonjay, the Clerk just gave you a document which states the names of these companies and this document is saying that you’re the director of these companies. Can you confirm or deny that?”

Sonjay Hotchandani

“Yes, I am the director of those companies.”

Senate Inquiry Chair Warns Against Defamation, Libel and Slander

At the start of the proceedings during Wednesday’s senate inquiry, Committee Chair, Senator Janelle Chanona warned the witnesses that if they are deemed responsible for defamation, libel or slander of any of the committee members, they can and will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. Chanona said that in past proceedings, members of the committee were being character assassinated. She said that this would not be tolerated going forward.

Janelle Chanona, Chairman, Special Senate Select Committee

“I also take this opportunity on behalf of the Committee to highlight to any witnesses, anyone in writing or verbal that would seek to defame, slander or libel any member of this committee. The committee will not be bullied or intimidated into not using its powers to ensure that that does not happen. If it does happen, we will take every action empowered under the law to defend itself against any such accusations.”

Vocational Training Transformed My Life for the Better

Twenty-eight-year-old Yadimir Torres took to construction work ten years ago after dropping out of college because his parents were unable to afford his tuition. His mother then suggested that he enroll at the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute to learn a trade. His willingness to sign up and complete the electrical course changed the trajectory of his life and the lives of those employed by him. In tonight’s installment of Belize on Reel we take a look at how vocational training transformed this young man’s life. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Twenty-eight-year-old Yadimir Torres owns and manages Torres Electrical and Air Conditioning in Guinea Grass Village. He has been running his own electrical business for the past seven years. At eighteen years old, working construction, Torres took up his mother’s advice to learn a trade at the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute.

Yadimir Torres, Owner, Torres Electrical and Air Conditioning

“Before I entered Tubal I was going to six form. My mother and father sent me to six form and they couldn’t afford to finish paying tuition. It was kind of difficult for us because it was nine of us.”

Left without a choice, Torres dropped out of sixth form and found a job working construction. It was the only field of work he could find with a high school diploma. His mother called him while he was laboring in the heat of the day and suggested that he sign up with the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute.

Yadimir Torres

“It was nearly the time for registration, and we went to tubal, me and my mom and we spoke to Mr. Bailey and Ms. Bailey and they gave me that opportunity like they give a lot of students and anyone out there right.”

Lyndon Bailey, Director, Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute

“He came here, he was about eighteen years old, so we were scared of taking him in. So I said well we will give you a chance, unless you don’t give us any problems.”

Lyndon Bailey, the Director of Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute, says Torres entered the institution with a mind set on learning a trade. He quickly excelled and completed the two-year electrical program in just one year.

Lyndon Bailey

“He is one of our excellent students. One of our role models for Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute.”

Yadimir Torres

“From I was small, my mom told me that I was very destructive with toys and wanted to break it in parts and find out what is inside. That was always me and even growing up I would always want to know, like breaking down the flashlight and see why it wasn’t working. So I said I would take the electrical trade right.”

It was a decision that would change Torres’ life. He interned with an electrical company as part of his program at Tubal. One week into his internship, he received a job offer due to his exceptional performance. But Torres informed the company that he wanted to complete his training before accepting the offer. After graduating from the institute as valedictorian, Yadimir accepted the job offer and worked with that company for two years.

Yadimir Torres

“What they do is they do theory in the morning and practical in the afternoon and while I was there, I can tell you from experience there are students that learn theoretically and some learn it practically. So, that is a big advantage for some of them. They learn it hands on, moving and doing things. Some don’t grasp it theoretically. But there are some students that grasp it theoretically and practically. And the theory part is very important as well because when it comes to taking out your license and doing paperwork, that assists you a lot because you need to do load calculations and so forth for you to send paperwork to the Public Utilities Commission.”

Lyndon Bailey

“People say that vocational education is for the slow ones, but it is not for the slow ones. Vocational education is right up there with academic, because a part of it is academic, because you have to know the different connection and you have to do paperwork.”

And paperwork is what Torres spends a lot of his time doing now. Seven years ago, he acquired his electrician’s license and started his own electrical company. At first, he had a few jobs that were long distances apart.

Yadimir Torres

“That was the most difficult part, starting was the most difficult part. I started walking.”

He later acquired a motorbike to get to his clients. Now, Torres’ company owns two trucks, the necessary equipment and provides employment to three electricians, one of whom was also trained at Tubal. Life has come full circle for Torres, as he now takes on interns from the institute.

Yadimir Torres

“From the beginning, that is what I envisioned. I visioned that I wanted workers, but I didn’t want to be the boss. I wanted to be the leader. I wanted to lead the team, because I had already had a boss and it is not nice. Being a boss is different than being a leader. You come out to the field, seeing what they are doing and doing it as well, because you were in that shoes and you don’t want to stop being in that shoe, because once you love doing it you will want to do it every day.”

Paul Lopez

“If you would go back and have a choice as to whether to do this or not do this, would you still make the same decision to do this?”

Lyndon Bailey

“Oh mien, I would do it ten times more, because Tubal is a school is that when you are young you don’t have your mind fully developed on what you want to do. So when you come here you have time to think to see whether you want to do a trade or go into academic. And many time people come because they love the trade.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

OJ Elrington’s Case Adjourned to End of May

Attorney Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington returned to court on Wednesday for a matter in which he is accused of sexual assault, stemming from an incident that occurred back in January. When the matter was called up at nine a.m., Elrington was absent, despite the fact that his attorneys, Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington and Norman Rodriguez were present. When he arrived half an hour later, Elrington apologized to the court. DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal appeared on behalf of the crown and informed the court that she was seeking an adjournment for May thirtieth. Following the adjournment, attorney Rodriguez spoke with the court reporter.

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-law

“Well today was set for the service of disclosure. The prosecution is not ready with that so Madam DPP requested a short adjournment to the thirtieth of May when the disclosure will be served on us and our client. That’s basically what happened today in court. There was no indication but Madam is chief when it comes to prosecution, so she can appear at any time and that is part of the process that we must abide by. …It’s eight weeks or two months, pursuant to the criminal procedures rules.”

Inspector Walton Banner Goes Before Lower Court

Thirty-six-year-old Walton Banner, a police inspector, appeared before the court today in the presence of attorney Ronell Gonzalez, to answer to a charge of obstruction. It is the second time he is appearing before the lower court on a similar offense. On April first, it was alleged that Banner intervened when Corporal Shane Cabral attempted to arrest Julian Reynolds at the Castleton Race Track in Burrell Boom Village. When he subsequently appeared before a Senior Magistrate, Banner pleaded not guilty and was offered bail in the sum of one thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount. Earlier today, he sought an adjournment which the magistrate granted. He is due back in court on June seventh.