Ambergris Hospital Delayed, Costs Soar Beyond Budget

A major infrastructure project for Ambergris Caye is facing delays and rising costs. Three years after Taiwan pledged thirty-three million Belize dollars to build a hospital on the island, the facility is still not completed, and reports indicate the project could be millions over budget. Prime Minister John Briceño acknowledges cost overruns but says the sharp increase in construction expenses is a key factor.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t know about the fifteen million, but of course cost overruns. On Monday I was talking to a contractor and the person showed me some yellow sand. The person told me a few months ago that sand cost like eight hundred and fifty dollars. Right now that same sand cost like one thousand seven hundred dollars. And it is going up. You don’t need to be a genius to know that. The cost of construction has gone up considerably. Now, who will pay. Well it is something we will sit down with the Taiwanese and see what they are prepared to help and whatever the shortfall, obviously the government will have to pay.”

 

In a recent interview with Area Representative, Andre Perez, he told News Five that construction is moving rapidly with a projected competition time of December this year.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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