The commission will play a similar role to other commissions of inquiry that have been held. O’Brien explained that this body also has a great deal of authority and will conduct its business the same way other commissions have. What these commissioners are not certain about, however, is whether they will record the sessions. O’Brien explained the reason for this.
Hugh O’Brien, Lead Coordinator, Sugar Industry Commission of Inquiry
The commissioners will be calling people just as happen in other commissions of inquiry, will be calling people to come forward, will specifically tell them what information they need for them to bring along and can make requests for additional information. I am saying that, so we expect as much collaboration as possible from all the parties involved. But I will say that indeed there has been a press release by BSI in particular to say that there is certain information that they consider proprietary and that they do not intend to discuss or share. I’m hoping that, based on the recent work I did with BSI, which I did have access to a great deal of proprietary information that helped to clear up and sort out some of the issues that had plagued the industry, that caused the protests back in January – I’m hoping that BSI would be a bit more open and realize that at the end of the day, the idea is to reflect on the numbers. It gives them – a sense of confidence will come their way if they share the information, because then if they don’t share people think that there was something that they got to hide, and that only creates more skepticism and does create more chaos in the industry. In terms of the recording of the sessions that matter would be we’re not extremely clear yet. If you will record or all the sessions are just record some or there are some concerns amongst some commissioners that they went when we ask people certain questions if we are recording that we may not get the full insights that they may want to offer because it’s being recorded. So we will deliberate on that specific topic a bit more in our next meeting.
The body of missing caretaker, sixty-seven-year-old Venancio Pop, has been recovered in Sandhill Village. Pop was last seen riding his bicycle, presumably on his way to the farm where he was employed. Pop, however, did not show up for work and his decomposing body was found two days later, near the Philip Goldson Highway. A.C.P Hilberto Romero told us that there were no signs of foul play in this incident.
“On Friday, the thirty-first of May 2024, police responded to a report that a decomposed body was found at Sandhill Village. Police visited the area where they found the decomposed body of a male person identified as Venancio Pop, sixty-seven years. A Belizean caretaker of Sandhill Village. Information is that he was taking care of a farm there. He was last seen two days prior to that riding a bicycle. After which his body was found we are waiting a postmortem examination at this time from the hospital.”
Alistair King passed away over the weekend after fighting a long illness. King was instrumental in the development of Fabrigas, known for providing oxygen to hospitals and to people who need. He was also known for his interest in conducting oil exploration in southern Belize, through U.S Capital Energy Company. News Five spoke today with Mike Peyrefitte who worked closely with King’s company in those days.
Via phone: Michael Peyrefitte, Worked closely with King’s U.S. Capital Energy Company
When I got the news on Saturday night from his family that he didn’t have much time left, my heart certainly sank. I know Mr. King was ill for a while, but even though you accept that certain things are eventualities, there’s nothing like when you face it in real time. And when I got the call from his family that he had passed away, needless to say, it was a very sad moment. Mr. King was a good man, a very decent man, hardworking, family-oriented, and humble individual. To say that we have lost a giant is an understatement, and Belize certainly has lost one of its most outstanding sons. I got the privilege to work with Mr. King in several capacities, most notably with U.S. Capital. And especially when it came to U. S. Capital, I worked with him closely in that regard because of him and not necessarily just because of the compact. I wanted to help him. I know his intentions were pure. His heart was in the right place. And one of the very, very few successful businesspeople who are always very above board and decent. He never wanted to cut a corner. He never wanted to go around any rule or regulation. He never approached me at any time for anything untoward. Just a proper, decent person who wanted hard work to prevail. He believed very much in working hard. I’m going to be doing things the proper way and making sure that success was not just big success, but good success.
Sometimes people get depressed based on the words that other people utter to them. Today, the Tubal Trade and Vocational Institute in Ladyville held a brief graduation ceremony for twenty-six students who have completed an eight-week course called Journey to a Life of Significance. It is designed for youths who experience low self-esteem based on what life has dealt them and the effect that other people’s words have on them. Now, having completed the course, the students say they believe they are at a better place in their lives. News Five’s Marion Ali was there when they received their certificates and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The words of the song “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera serve to uplift the spirit and lend a positive mindset to the listener. In the same way, an eight-week long course by Restore Ministries in Nashville Tennessee seeks to restore the hope that youths have lost, either by what they have endured in life or what others have subjected them to. Kenroy Young is the Belize Project Facilitator.
Kenroy Young, Facilitator, Program Director, Belize Project
The journey to a life of significance focuses on the individual self, how we perceive ourselves and how we look at ourselves in relation to this, the descriptions that we give to ourselves and the labels that we give to ourselves. And that’s why it says freedom from low self-esteem, because the book focuses on individuals who have been suffering from isolation, fear of rejection, shame and the levels of shame are very deep. It goes all the way into toxic shame. And when we suffer from toxic shame, these create thoughts in our minds that we’re not good enough.
We spoke with three students who enrolled in the course for various reasons, and they each had a positive outlook on their lives.
Abner Mai, Graduate, Graduate, Journey to a Life of Significance
Things weh yoh have a hole in your chest, weh yoh might never want nobody know then. The course mek yoh just talk about it, relax, and have a good lee time, and then, yeah, I mi really –
Marion Ali
So coming out of it, you feel how now?
Abner Mai
I feel a little bit better now because during the course, I had things weh mi hold me down, and after I talk about it ih just ease my mind and not really think about it again.
Alisha Rivers, Graduate, Journey to a Life of Significance
You should always bring out yourself, know that you are worthy.
Marion Ali
So eight weeks later, now, how do you feel about yourself?
Alishe Rivers
I feel good. I feel released. I feel gladness.
Tajan Grant, Graduate, Journey to a Life of Significance
It helps a lot with people who really need to be heard, and, like me, for instance, I don’t really take it so well being alone. I normally just talk to people online. That’s, how I cope with being alone.
Andrew August, Country Director, Restore Ministries
We worth, our worth doesn’t devalue. We might seem wrinkle up and mash up like this $100 because of the experience and trauma and things that we went through in our life, but we are still worth worthy.
Andrew August is the Country Director for Restore Ministries. He used the analogy of a crumpled hundred-dollar note to impart the message that we as humans also never lose our value.
Andrew August
God made us and he values us. And so we have to value ourself no matter where we go through. Just always remember that your life is valuable and people love you.
Kenroy Young used his own life experiences to show that it is possible to do anything with a shift in mindset.
Kenroy Young
Once upon a time in my life, I suffered from low self-esteem by looking at my sisters, both my sisters, having academic achievements before me in life, because I was distracted by my own personal waywardness while I was a youth. and my rebelliousness and while I was locked up in prison they were going for their dreams going for their goals they keep focused and motivated and inside that would really like hinder my mind it’s like I haven’t accomplished enough.
And I came back out here and I said, you know something, I’m going to let the achievements of my siblings be my strength; that I am happy that they are achieving great things. And because of that, that inspired me to come out of that isolated, low self esteem.
For Young, his belief in God is what pulled him through.
Kenroy Young
God opened my eye and said, you don’t need academic accolades. Look at what you’re doing around you. Look at the lives that you’re touching around you. And it’s not because of what I am doing. It’s because of what he’s doing through me.
The Hemp Industry Oversight Committee reconvened today to address critical developments in Belize’s hemp sector. A government press release says the agenda included the roles of various agencies in monitoring hemp activities, reviewing legislation, and evaluating an application for hemp research.
A primary focus was establishing a policy for approving hemp research and investments in Belize.
This meeting marks a crucial step in advancing hemp research and development in Belize. The release says that Belize aims to create a strong framework for scientific research and investment in the hemp sector by refining application procedures and regulations. It says this initiative also strengthens the New Growth Industries portfolio, enhancing its strategic marketing and investment potential.
Attendees at the meeting included Sharole Carr, CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries; Hugh O’Brien, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture; Zoe Roberson-Zetina, Managing Director of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA); Lincoln Blake, Director of the Investment Policy & Compliance Unit, Ministry of Investment; Ginéé Neal, Staff Officer and Lead for the New Growth Industries Unit, Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries; Francisco Gutierrez, Director of Plant Health, BAHA; and Frantz Smith, Investment Policy Officer, Ministry of Investment.
The first meeting of the Joint Cooperation Commission between Belize and Panama for the 2024–2026 bilateral programme was co-chaired by the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Amalia Mai, and Panama’s Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, Yill Otero.
The session was held at Padre Guardia Jaén Hall in the Bolívar Palace, Panama City.
Both leaders highlighted the significance of enhancing friendship and bilateral cooperation through the new cooperation program. This initiative promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and experiences, with the goal of strengthening institutions and improving the quality of life for citizens in both countries.
The Bilateral Cooperation Program 2024-2026 includes projects focused on tourism, special education, language exchange, environmental protection, and disability inclusion.
The Sugar Industry Commission of Inquiry held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, May 29. The meeting was held virtually.
A government press release says it had the participation of Wayne Piper, Chairman, and the five commissioners: Robert Mariette and Vinod Ramharai from Mauritius, Jeffery Joseph from Belize, Andy Church from South Africa, and Simon Gibbons from the United Kingdom. Also in attendance were Lorena Posada, Secretary to the Commission; Hugh O’Brien, Lead Coordinator for the Government of Belize; Marcos Osorio, Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB); and Krity Neermul, Technical Coordinator for the Mauritius team.
According to the government, the meeting focused on discussing and agreeing upon the general plan for the first phase of work, along with associated logistics. This phase will include visits to the mills at BSI and Santander, as well as farm and field trips to sugar production sites in northern and western Belize. Commissioners are scheduled to begin arriving in Belize during the first week of June, with logistical support provided by the SICB.
This commission aims to examine the entire value chain of the sugar cane industry and provide recommendations to the Government of Belize.
The commissioners aim to complete their report(s) by the deadline of November 30, 2024.
Doris Grant will have her day in court to answer to the multitude of charges that have been brought against her. She is accused of defrauding a Mennonite businessperson in land transactions that weren’t worth the paper they were printed on. And today, the Minister of Home Affairs says the file sits on the D.P.P’s desk and that contrary to what has been reported in other media circles, the prime minister is not part of that investigation team. Grant’s Reggae Street home and her farmhouse in Gardenia Village have both been searched by investigators led by D.C.P. Doctor Richard Rosado but have turned up nothing incriminating. This week, Grant informed News Five that police took a chest with her diabetes medication and took pictures of documents she has for her car and receipts for building supplies and returned them to her. Today, Musa told reporters that witnesses from the Mennonite community have given police statements as part of the investigation.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I have been informed that there was an investigation being carried out into an alleged land fraud, as you rightly mentioned. I think it is over the course of the last month or so that an investigation has been carried out. I am told that several witnesses from the Mennonite community have provided statements. And so that entire file, I am told, has been turned over to the D.P.P.’s office.
Reporter
“Any reasoning why I believe Ms. Grant’s home has been searched twice and for the second time it was searched for five hours?”
Kareem Musa
“I am not certain. That is a matter for the investigative team as that investigation is still ongoing. And so looking for evidence, I’m sure is one of the reasons behind searches of that nature. And so I would think that is the reason why, you know, if at all, the prime minister is involved at any level in this investigation. Absolutely not. No, that is being carried out by the Belize Police Department. Not by the prime minister as I believe someone was trying to suggest that is not the case.”
Last weekend there was also a shooting on Newtown Barracks involving a police officer who fired rubber pellets that injured several persons. The officer was responding to an altercation at a popular nightclub on the entertainment strip. To break up the fight that was taking place, the policeman fired a warning shot onto the ground and when the rubber pellets ricocheted, they injured several persons who were in the immediate vicinity. ComPol Chester Williams explained the use of non-lethal rounds.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“As I said to OCED, while I do understand that the police’s action in discharging the weapon or the firearm in that particular area could be seen as one that was necessary but not necessary, let me put it that way. You might say well how could it be necessary but still not necessary, but again, due to what was taking place in terms of the aggression, the fighting between the different groups, and we do know that when we have rival groups going at each other, the potential for either one to take out weapons and use is very high. So the police took out his shotgun that had rubber bullets and discharged a warning shot. My issue with it is that he fired the warning shot in the ground. You don’t fire warning shots in the ground because the potential of ricocheting is extremely high. He could have fired it in the air or whatever, but I can’t kill the policeman because at the end of the day he saw an issue that could have escalated to the stage where persons got severely injured or killed and he, being the person in that position, applies his best judgment and did what he did, a reprimand from me would be good enough for him, but I don’t want to kill him for what he did, no.”
Security measures are tightening up in River Valley. In recent months, the community observed an increase in crime in the area, raising serious concern among residents. After voicing complaints about the ineffectiveness of the police officers stationed there, ten new officers were transferred into the area, replacing the previous staff, and a new officer in charge was appointed. Today, the force continues to strengthen this commitment to safety by welcoming a new police mobile to be used in the area. News Fives’ Britney Gordon attended the handing-over ceremony for more details on the security strategies to be implemented in River Valley. Here’s that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The Belize River Valley just got a little safer with the addition of a brand-new police mobile. This vehicle is part of a greater initiative to strengthen security measures in the area. Today, the police force held a handing-over ceremony to commemorate the new vehicle and commend the efforts made to ensure public safety. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs detailed this endeavor to us.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“A few years ago, we had undertaken a very comprehensive countrywide review and tour. Of the rural communities meeting with the leaders all across the country to identify the key areas in which we can assist these rural communities whether it’s by community policing, whether it’s by assigning special constables, additional special constables. And one of the number one concerns was mobility. And so that is part of the reason why we are here today to deliver. This brand new pickup truck for the Belize River Valley. As you mentioned, there was some flare ups about two, two months or so ago. And so we definitely wanted to prioritize and focus our efforts here in the River Valley, not just by providing mobility for the police officers, but providing additional officers.”
The implementation of better safety precautions is a community effort that involves strategizing with several community leaders and government officials. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams acknowledges a decrease in violent
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We know that the year started off rough for them. I think we had about ten murders in the first three months, which was extremely high. And I came in, I sat down with them, we developed strategies, we had mediations, we have interventions the community leaders were also brought together to give their ideas so we can get an appreciation in terms of what was taking place and see how best we could address the issue. And again, that yielded good results for us. We have since seen a tremendous decrease in major crime in the area since we had those meetings. And we’re hoping that with the additional resources in the area, both human and vehicular resources, that we’ll be able to get more from the police in this area. I want to assure the Belize River Valley people that the Belize Police Department stands committed in making sure that their safety and security always remain at the forefront.”
Musa explains that the Ministry of Home Affairs has been donating new vehicles to the Crimes Investigation Branch across the country.
Kareem Musa
“We have from our ministry identified funds. Recently we also handed over six brand new vehicles to CIB all across the country because It’s absolutely vital and essential that our investigators, whenever a serious crime is taking place, that they have mobility and so we were able to deliver six new vehicles to C.I.B. as well.”
The police mobile and new officers are part of a concerted effort towards better public safety. Williams explained that through the diligent efforts of the police force and continued cooperation from the public, residents will begin to witness a positive change in the community.
Chester Williams
“We have newly leadership in the area as well. Additional police officers were also pumped into the area. I think we went from somewhere around eleven police officers in this area to currently about twenty-nine. So the numbers increased tremendously. But our Boom station now is twenty-four hours operating in Bermuda Landing. It’s I think two shift system. We have there until twelve midnight. So we’re seeing more and more that we’re doing what we can to enhance security. Again, it does not require only the police. We have to have the partnership with the people and that’s the importance why the importance of making sure that the chairpersons of the respected villages are a part of what we do. We get good cooperation from them, good input from them. I want to make sure we enhance that.”
