Artikel zum Thema: Belize News

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Said Musa spent several hours this morning inspecting the major works being carried out in the Lake Independence, Collet and Port Loyola constituencies as part of the Southside Improvement Project.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Project Engineers and contractors who explained the details of the project and its numerous components.

The inspection started on Antelope St. in the Collet Division, where major works are ongoing to upgrade the road, install drains and open an artery which links it to the Western Highway.

This was followed by an examination of the road improvements and drainage works along the Western Highway, and additionally, the installation of a canal that begins at the Haulover Creek and passes through all three constituencies and flows into the Caribbean Sea. This canal will help mitigate flooding along the highway and several sections of the three constituencies.

In Lake Independence, the Prime Minister toured the new housing subdivisions. New homes with water and electricity, and wide roads are the new look of the new Lake Independence residential area. This new area is also connected to the Western Highway through newly opened roads. Plans are to extend new roads that could connect this new area all the way to the Northern Highway.

The inspection of works in the Port Loyola division took the Prime Minister through Faber’s Road, then unto Curl Thompson Street where the new paved roads are a welcome change for the residents.

While along Mudd St. the engineers explained that new roads will be opened and land clearing and filling will continue for a new subdivision that is planned in Port Loyola.

Along the way Prime Minister Said Musa stopped to talk to the residents and asked about their concerns. Most residents said that flooding was the biggest issue. The engineers explained that when the new drainage works are completed, and as the work on the canals takes shape, the residents will see a major reduction in flooding.

Prime Minister Said Musa said that he was pleased with the transformation taking place in the Lake Independence, Collet and Port Loyola divisions. He said the Government will soon approach the OPEC Fund for additional funding to advance the Southside Improvement Project and continue uplifting of the lives of Belize City residents.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

A Belize delegation returned from Cuba over the weekend after having participated in the 10th Belize/Cuba Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation held in Havana, Cuba on 18th and 19th October 2007.

The delegation was headed by Hon. Lisa Shoman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Transport, Communication and Local Government, the Ministry of Labour, Education and Culture, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Works, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the Office of the Prime Minister.

On the occasion of the visit to Cuba, the delegation met with H.E. Felipe Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba to discuss bilateral issues and H.E. Ricardo Cabrisas to discuss Trade issues and negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).

The intensive two-day meeting between Government officials and leading public officers of Belize and Cuba was held to analyze both countries’ working relationship and discussed ways in which it could be enhanced.

At the end of the Tenth Session of the Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation, a working agreement was signed to ensure the continuation and strengthening of bilateral relations between Belize and Cuba.

The main areas of cooperation between Belize and Cuba focus on Health, Education, Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives. The Cuban counterpart agreed to receive a delegation from NEMO to conduct a working visit to Cuba before the end of 2007 and also agreed that an exchange programme for emergency experts be carried out during the year 2008. The Cuban side also expressed its willingness for the Institutes of Archives and Record Services of Belize to conduct a working visit before the end of this year to maximize from the opportunities offered by Cuba.

Signing for Belize was Hon. Lisa Shoman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and Hon. Marta Lomas Morales, Minister for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation for Cuba.

In her address at the Joint Commission’s opening ceremony, Hon. Lisa Shoman thanked the Government of Cuba for its selfless contributions to the Government and people of Belize and committed to establish the necessary contacts to collaborate in fields of mutual interest, in particular, Climatic Changes, Natural Disasters and the Environment.

The Hon. Lisa Shoman also thanked the Government of Cuba for its continued support of Belize’s territorial sovereignty and said that Belize will continue to give its support to the UN Resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the USA against Cuban people”.

The 11th Session of the Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation will be held in Belize in 2008.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

Cabinet has given its endorsement for the adoption and implementation of an HIV/AIDS policy for the public service developed consistent with and supportive of the National Policy on HIV/AIDS (2006) and the National HIV/AIDS workplace policy (2006).

This initiative is premised on the fact that the Belize Public Service recognizes its human capital as the most important asset and therefore is committed to their protection, health and the maintenance of an enabling working environment. Additionally, this policy document conforms to the Office of Governance mandate in strengthening mechanisms and developing relevant policies geared towards effective and efficient human resource management and development within the public sector.

The overall purpose of the policy is to promote the health, well-being and productivity of public officers by developing and implementing effective HIV/AIDS sustainable prevention, care and control programmes; and eliminating stigma and discrimination on the basis of real and perceived HIV status.

Additionally, the policy document establishes the following set of guidelines to protect the health and welfare of public officers in the face of the challenge presented by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

To provide guidelines on employer (government) and employee (public officer) rights and responsibilities in the context of HIV/AIDS

To develop concrete responses within the Belize Public Service to deal with issues of HIV/AIDS prevention, stigma and discrimination, the productivity of public officers, and the care and support of officers infected or affected by HIV/AIDS

To promote processes of cooperation between government, public officers, HIV/AIDS experts and all relevant stakeholders such as community-based and nongovernmental organizations.

The HIV/AIDS policy of the Belize Public Service adopts a HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES perspective.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

The Ministry of National Development, Investment and Culture announces the official inauguration of the Buena Vista Rudimentary Water System in the Cayo District. Inauguration ceremonies will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2007 at 10.00 am.

The total cost of the project amounted to $359,366.41 which was provided by the Government of Belize from grant funds received from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the Basic Needs Trust Fund Fifth Program. The Buena Vista Community contributed the value of $4,000.00 through in-kind labour for the trenching of 4,000 feet of trenches for house service connections. The project was implemented by the Basic Needs Trust Fund on behalf of the Government of Belize.

The project entailed the substitution of a previously existing system where water was pumped by one of the local saw mills to a metal tank in the community. The new system is now fed through a connection to Ontario/Blackman Eddy water system. The scope of works included trenching by machine and installation of 25,000 feet of 4-inch PVC pipes from Blackman Eddy to Buena Vista, 24,005 feet of 4-inch and 3-inch PVC pipes for distribution lines in Buena Vista itself and 4,000 feet of PVC pipes for 103 house service connections. Water is being gravity-fed to Buena Vista from a 13,500-gallon ground-level tank in Blackman Eddy where the water is pumped from a production well. A water meter and a stand pipe were installed for each household. The project was completed over a period of 12 months under the supervision of Wolric H. Lind Associates, the BNTF office and community representatives.

A Water Board has been appointed to administer the water system. Training in management, operation and maintenance of the system was provided to appointed operators, billing clerk and the Water Board members. Educational sessions on water use were also provided to the students of the Primary School and parents of the children. The system will benefit over 103 families of the village of Buena Vista.

Main speaker at the event will be the Hon. Mario Castellanos, Area Representative and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Development.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

This morning, a US$40,000 (forty thousand US dollars) grant was presented in the form of a check to the Ministry of Human Development by the office of the U.S. Embassy to assist in the efforts to combat Human trafficking Belize.

The Official handing-over of the check was done by U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Robert Dieter to the Minister of Human Development, Hon. Silvia Flores at the Ministry of Human Development in Belmopan. Present were the Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Sandra Hall and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gerald Westby.

In his remarks for the occasion, Ambassador Dieter explained that the grant would be used for a three-year programme that would assist in the protection of human trafficking victims, in the prevention of this occurrence and the prosecution of persons involved in the trafficking of persons.

He added that in a 2007 report, Belize was identified as a source, transit and destination country for trafficking of persons but that the United States Government is seeing the significant efforts to combat this problem.

For her part, Minister Flores expressed her gratitude to the Ambassador and she pledged to continue the work of Belize's anti-trafficking campaign.

The money will assist in the broadcast of radio ads, community workshops and to also refurbish a shelter for victims of human trafficking.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

The Ministry of Finance hereby informs the general public that effective October 17, 2007 the retail prices for a hundred (100 lb.) cylinder of butane gas is as follows:

District / Controlled Price

Belize City / $110
Belmopan / $112
San Ignacio / $115
Benque / $116
Orange Walk / $111
Corozal / $110
Dangriga / $112
Punta Gorda / $113

This represents an increase of $5.00.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Said Musa is wrapping up his two-day tour of the nine villages of the Corozal South East constituency.

This morning the tour stopped at Caledonia Village where villagers expressed concerns about the bad conditions of the road. Prime Minister Musa responded by saying that plans to do something about the road will be given a high priority.

Prime Minister Musa also indicated that some 27 million Euros, roughly 75 million Belize dollars, will be spent over the next seven years to improve the sugar roads. This money is coming from the European Union and between December 2007 and January 2008 the Government of Belize hopes to access at least one million dollars to begin to improve the road leading to Caledonia village.

The next stop of the tour took the Prime Minister to the village of Calcutta where he spoke to children at the 7th Day Adventist Primary School. In his remarks the Prime Minister said that the benefits that older women receive from social security will be expanded from 75 to 100 dollars. The benefits that men receive will also be expanded.

The area representative Hon. Florencio Marin noted that Corozal is poised for more prosperity. A villager wanted to know whether Government plans to assist cane farmers; to which the Prime Minister replied that Government is already securing the funding for the improvement of the sugar road in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts. Prime Minister Musa added that Government will also spend a substantial amount of money to strengthen the Cane Farmers Association.

At this time the Prime Minister and his entourage are at the 7th Day Adventist College campus where a programme of activities including entertainment has been planned for the Prime Minister and his entourage.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by Hon. Florencio Marin Sr., Area Representative and Minister of Natural Resources. Also accompanying the Prime Minister is PUP Standard Bearer for the Corozal South East constituency, Florencio Marin Jr. and PUP Secretary General Henry Usher.

The tour will conclude this afternoon with a visit to the village of San Joaquin.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

Ground-breaking ceremonies were held yesterday at the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) Tower Hill Compound for a US$62 million Co-generation plant.

Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Said Musa delivered the key note address.

“Belcogen, when it is completed in mid 2009, will add about 20% of Belize’s electricity needs to the national grid. This is an unprecedented amount of investment by a Belizean company, BSI alone is guaranteeing the entire loan package that is association with Belcogen, demonstrates the Company’s confidence in Belize’s macro economic performance,” pointed out Prime Minister Musa.

Belcogen will be a 3.5 megawatt co- generating power plant that will use the sugar cane waste bagasse for its fuel. The plant will be constructed by engineers from Shanghai, China. When the Belcogen power station is completed it will employ 50 highly skilled workers.

“Today the Industry throughout the region is under going a major transformation: the revision of the European Union (EU) sugar regime will result in cut prices on sugar exports to the EU, the principal market for sugar producers, by around one third over a four year period” added Prime Minister Musa.

He went on to say that energy is vital to development: “This project as a renewable energy business will reinforce Belize’s leadership role in the region, for environmentally sound development while underpinning the future development of the sugar cane industry.”

He concluded: “BEL’s investment in hydro electricity: Mollejon and Chalillo, is already providing a generating capacity of some 34 megawatts of electricity. The building of the Vaca facility will add another 18 megawatt capacity. The completion of this Belcogen co-generation project will continue to supply energy for the Tower Hill sugar factory as well as generating cost-effective electricity to meet Belize’s growing electricity demands…. The policy of my Government is clear, all urban and rural areas will have access to a reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity supply. There must be sufficient supply to meet the growing demands that come with new housing developments and high growth investment in tourism and the agro industrial sectors.”

The Chief Executive Officer of BSI Mr. Joey Montalvo told the Press Office that an agreement has already been reached with BEL to purchase power from Belcogen.

Senator Godwin Hulse who is a director on the BSI Board of directors told the gathering that the Belcogen project will contribute to long-term stability to the sugar industry.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

This morning Prime Minister Musa began his consultation tour of the Corozal South East Constituency.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by P.U.P. Standard Bearer of Corozal South East, Florencio Marin Jr., Corozal South East Representative and Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Florencio Marin Sr., Hon. Mike Espat, Min of Works and his C.E. O, Dr. Mike Tewes and Minister of Defence, Youth And Sports, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson. Also accompanying the Prime Minister is the P.U.P Secretary General, Mr. Henry Usher.

The Prime Minister arrived at Sarteneja’s Airstrip this morning from there a motorcade took him to the Sarteneja Community Center for a meeting with villagers. During this meeting, Prime Minister Musa hinted at a post Christmas Elections by saying that “You will enjoy your Christmas, after that we will begin the victory march.”

The tour then stopped at the St. Viator Technical High School, where the school’s principal Patrociana Sho welcomed the Prime Minister and his group to the school. Prime Minister Musa told the students that we are living in a good country but now we have to fight to create the good society, but this fight - the Prime Minister then went on to say - is not a battle for violence but it is a battle against violence. St. Viator High School will hold its first graduation ceremonies at the end of this school year.

Prime Minister Musa assured the school that the government will continue to work closely with the church to continue the school’s expansion.

At the next stop in Chunox, the Prime Minister inaugurated a Health Clinic following which, there was a meeting with the Mennonite Community of Little Belize.

His next stop was unto a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Progresso for the upgrading of the road from Progresso to San Estevan village. At the meeting with villagers in Progresso, the Prime Minister yet again hinted a post Christmas election saying, “The sun is really hot, but things no hot yet, it will get hatta right afta Christmas.”

The Prime Minister then traveled to Copper Bank where he visited the Copper Bank Roman Catholic School. At the School, the Prime Minister was entertained by a cultural dance by the students of the school. He then mentioned that one of the needs at Copper Bank was good, potable drinking water. He went on to say that Government plans to address this problem through a reverse osmosis project from a company called Seea, based in Spain. He also told villagers that the Government intends to pave the road from Copper Bank to Corozal Town.

Tonight in Ranchito, the Prime Minister and the P.U.P. Standard Bearer are planning a town meeting at Ranchito Multi-Complex building. The tour continues tomorrow.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz

The Elections and Boundaries Department is today conducting a one day Staff Retreat at the Black Orchid Resort, Burrell Boom Village under the theme “Building Team Spirit—Promoting Confidence and Accountability”.

The primary objective is to build capacity and strengthen employee participation to ensure organizational performance. The facilitator is Mr. Carl Smith, former Director, Management Services, Ministry of the Public Service, and two key motivational speakers, Canon Leroy Flowers of the Anglican Diocese and Ms. Ann-Marie Williams, President, Belize Independent Media Association, will each lead the discussions on Ethics & Stewardship and Leadership & Service, respectively.

This morning, Ms. Ruth Meighan was sworn in as the new Chief Elections Officer by Mr. Adrian Danny Madrid, National President of the Association of Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of the Supreme Court. Ms. Meighan is a long-serving Public Officer who entered the Public Service as a Clerical Assistant in 1983. She presently holds a B.Sc. degree in Public Administration and an Executive Masters in Business Administration.

At the end of the Retreat the Staff will plan the way forward in preparing for the 2008 General Elections and will include activities for voter education.

Quelle: governmentofbelize.gov.bz