Senate Debates $34 Million USD Loan for George Price Highway Repair

The government has proposed a $34 million USD loan to repair about 15 miles of the George Price Highway between Belize City and Hattieville. Senators agreed the road needs improvement but said more details are required before the motion can move forward.

Opening the debate, opposition senator Patrick Faber questioned why the country continues to borrow for road projects instead of using tax revenue. He even suggested tolls on the highway. “Every single sitting, there is borrowing, and we on this side of this isle absolutely demand that the government stops this reckless saddling of our children and our children’s children,” Faber said. He added, “We are absolutely void of the details.”

PUP Senators countered with the importance of rehabilitating the road, Hector Guerra in particular pointed out that the highway is one of the busiest in the country and parts of it are at risk from rising sea levels. “What we are being asked to support is a vote that would see to the improvement of one of the most trafficked parts of the George Price Highway,” he said.

Senator Kevin Herrera, representing the business community, said, “With the absence of information to really verify that this makes sense, it’s difficult for us in the Senate to say this looks reasonable, because we don’t have the information to back that up.”

Church senator Wade, along with NGO senator Janelle Chanona, echoed the same sentiment, agreeing that road improvements are necessary but stressing the need for better information.

Senator Sheena Pitts also raised concerns, saying it makes no sense to fix the road if it will only last two or three years before more borrowing is needed. She said the motion should clearly explain the scope of the work, noting that she found more information online than in the official proposal.

In the end, while all senators agreed on the importance of improving the highway, the motion was suspended to allow for better details to be provided before a final decision is made.