During our chat on Tuesday, the Leader of the Opposition didn’t hold back on his thoughts about the P.U.P. administration’s handling of the economy, saying it leaves a lot to be desired. Barrow pointed out that under the U.D.P.’s last term, the economy was in much better shape, and they left behind a strong economy when they exited office in 2020.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“The Prime Minister always talks about the economy. We left a great economy for the People’s United Party. Before COVID, we had years where we were growing the economy at 4.4, 4.2 back to back years. The John Briceño administration has not done that. The only thing they have done is recover the economy that we left. And the United Democratic Party built such a strong economy over the thirteen years. That is why they were able to recover, but the Briceno administration has not gone even close to the growth, the GDP growth that we had through the thirteen years. And you not only think that based on the statistics, but you live that. That is a lived reality, that the cost of living is worse than it has ever been. The quality of life has deteriorated to levels that we have not seen in quite some time.”
On Saturday, around thirty members of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union staged a brief walk-out and protest on the hospital grounds. They’re calling on the government to bring back a pension scheme for them, like what other public health workers have. News Five has learned that the union members plan to give up their lunch break on Wednesday for another protest. This comes ahead of a meeting between Ministry of Health employees and union leaders. During Saturday’s protest, Union President Andrew Baird told reporters they’re fed up with talking about the same issue. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Andrew Baird
Andrew Baird, President, K.H.M.H. Workers Union
“We don’t have to sit down and dialogue. All the Prime Minister has to do is the stroke of a pen. So, put me back in our pension scheme, that government, the free pension that the public officers receive. We are public officers by the virtue of what we do. While our colleagues in the other hospital are receiving a nice pension, the employees in the other public hospital, the employees of the only National Referral Center are without a pension. So the government is to come to the table or else we will have to take the necessary step. We are not going to back down until we get our pension.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
On Saturday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers Union, led by President Andrew Baird, issued a press release demanding the government set up a pension scheme for hospital employees. The release explains that since K.H.M.H became an authority, its workers have made the same sacrifices as other public sector employees but still face uncertainty about their retirement. It highlights a Provident Fund for employees hired from January 1, 2018, but notes that those who have served for over twenty years have no retirement plan. The last pension negotiation meeting was in October 2023, with no meaningful progress despite repeated efforts. Now, the employees are insisting their pension concerns be addressed.
Member
Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union
“I just want my pension all the way to the hotel today like Mr. Baird said. I just need my pension, you know. I just want my pension, I think, just that. How much, how much does it mean for you, you are not 20 years old? Well, I got asthma, all of that. I have a health problem and I still live with all of that. Many days of work, I think. You know, all the way there. So we, we do know we don’t have problems. I think we need a pension. That’s what I got to say. We don’t work for it, you know? We deserve it. We want our pension now! Today! Before election! What do we want? Pension! When do we want it? Now!”
Lydia Blake shares that she’s been braving the challenges as a healthcare worker at K.H.M.H since 2013.
Lydia Blake
Lydia Blake, Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union
“ I have served in the government. My pension is there waiting for me when I’m 55. Two more years, Jules. But if I stay with Kush, I could work till I 62 and I get an next pension because the Prime Minister believes when I went to a meeting with him in December of 2021. 2020 even remember the a o he promised us after. We don’t put everything, all the things on paper there. Yes, you guys deserve a pension. Uno, go get the numbers, I’ll find the money. It’s 2025. And we still not reach our table for sign.”
News Five understands that a meeting is scheduled for the union leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Health but that the union plans to hold another protest on Wednesday at midday. Marion Ali for News Five.
Prime Minister John Briceño announced during Friday’s House meeting that 2,500 first-time offenders convicted of COVID-19 and cannabis possession offenses will have their criminal records cleared. This change takes effect immediately.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I am pleased to report that over two thousand five hundred first time offenders, persons having a conviction for a COVID-19 offense or possession of cannabis, but have no other criminal offense, will have the fines they were ordered to be pay be remitted and their criminal record expunged for it to be a thing of the past. It is being gazette this morning by achievement of remissions that were signed by her excellency the governor general on the advice of my government. This was done in fulfillment of my government’s commitment to reforming the justice system and the criminal justice system we continue to deliver on Plan Belize.”
As expected, the House of Representatives meeting was filled with heated exchanges. The debate over Maria Rodriquez’s potential appointment as Auditor General saw plenty of mudslinging. Henry Charles Usher, the Area Representative for Fort George, mocked Barrow for questioning qualifications while holding an honorary master’s degree himself. Prime Minister Briceño also joined the fray, adding his own comments to the lively discussion.
Henry Charles Usher, Area Rep., Fort George
“While he came here and talk about and try to create the impression that the qualifications that Ms. Rodriquez has is unsubstantiated. But what I can inform the leader of the opposition is that it is a fact that the whole country knows that the doctorate he claims to have is not in his possession. That he cannot show the country at any point. He wants to about qualification.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“On a point of order, I have an honorary doctorate from the University of Liberia.”
Henry Charles Usher
“It is also a fact in his own party that they have asked him for his high school diploma which he cannot produce as yet.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I was listening to the leader of the opposition, at least one of the leader of the opposite.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“On a point of order, there is only one leader of the opposition according to the constitution. I remember you knocked your head when you get into that accident. So I have to correct you.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I just can’t understand this young man, to come here with this kind of behavior in this house and go after a public service a woman that has served this country well all over this place, just because he wants to score some political points. I just hope women across this country hear how he went after a woman, a well qualified woman.”
Today’s House of Representatives meeting was full of heated exchanges, leading to the Speaker calling for a recess. The debate over the auditor general’s appointment got particularly intense. Prime Minister Briceño called the Leader of the Opposition “Ms. Petty,” while Barrow made a serious accusation against Area Representative Jose Mai. Briceño also took jabs at former P.S.U. President Gerald Henry, adding more fuel to the fiery session.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“If you mih want Mr. Henry apply you should have put in his name, but why did Mr. Henry not apply, because he was not qualified. I am sorry that I have to call out this gentleman, because Mr. Henry and I get along ok. I wouldn’t say we are friends, but we talk well. I think he is a decent man. But when you come and read things that are half-truth and twist things around to suggest there is a sinister move to try and put a highly qualified public servant who is a woman I have a problem with that, even the bigger side of the opposition has a problem with that. Bway you dah wah real Ms. Petty for true, madaz, my god.”
Valerie Woods
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
“Members, no, no, members, honorable members for Orange Walk, Honorable Members for Orange Walk.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“You dah cartel, you dah wah drug trafficker.”
Valerie Woods
“I need to take a break, this is deplorable. Member for Mesopotamia, while not on record, your words is deplorable.”
During today’s House of Representatives session, the Government of Belize introduced sixteen loan motions. Ten of these were amendments to existing loan agreements with Taiwan. These amendments will defer principal payments to Taiwan for another three years. Prime Minister John Briceño provided further details.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I don’t want anybody to get excited because these are not new loans. Basically, what we are doing is try to better manage the cash flow of the government. Basically what we are doing is asking for a further deferment of starting to pay the principal, which will be for a next three years. And by doing that, we will be able to better manage our cashflow to the tune of thirty million dollars. Meaning, we can better be able to use to continue the implementation of Plan Belize.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“I don’t see how the Prime Minister, every opportunity he gets, boasts and brags about how well our economy is performing, how robust he is growing the GDP, yet he is having cash flow problems. When you have a facility at a bank, you have to pay your facility. No facility is being deferred for three years and why would we need to put ourselves in this position if the economy is performing the way he claims. This is proof that the Briceno administration’s economy is underpricing, it is anemic and they are saying they are broke, they have a cash flow problem. To manage the cashflow, why can’t you pay your facilities if you have the cash. This government has borrowed over three billion dollars, with a B.”
Besides the ten loan amendment motions, the Briceño administration also introduced several new loans: a fifty-eight-million-dollar energy loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a twenty-three-million-dollar loan from the International Development Association (IDA), seventeen million dollars from the Government of Taiwan, and six point two million dollars from the Caribbean Development Bank. The opposition has criticized this borrowing spree, pointing out that it comes just before this year’s general election. Here’s Prime Minister Briceño with more on the twenty-three-million-dollar IDA loan.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I think you should clap to member for Collet because you all will benefit some day when you get into government. Someday, we don’t know when, because this funding is cheap money, in some instances, zero interest rates, you don’t pay anything for ten years and then twenty years. It is money that could really help this country to develop. After two years of collective advocacy, now Belize was able to successfully gain eligibility for twenty-three point five million U.S. dollars for annually with concessionary financing from IDA. Of the World Bank. Because of the importance of this loan and it has nothing to do with whether elections will be held now, or the next month or the other month, the government continues, the work of the people never stopped. That is why I am bringing these loans right now.”
Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez, told News Five that the firefighters’ work schedules were adjusted to regular hours because the budget is nearly exhausted as the fiscal year ends. He assured that anyone working overtime will still get paid. Perez also addressed the corruption allegations at the top of the Fire Department, promising an investigation but emphasizing that solid evidence is needed to back up those claims.
Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management
“As a fiscally prudent government we have take heed. We are short of funds and we’re getting to the end of the fiscal year. Sometimes we have to do a little bit of belt-tightening and of course it’s where some of the firefighters are saying, listen, are we not getting any overtime or we’re not giving the opportunity, many other factors, but the first thing I also want to share is that the intake of twenty-four new firefighters, which they have either been volunteers or temporary. Now they are permanent, or they’re fully on board, also is making the provision for another fifty-six firefighters, that’s a new intake. So as we prepare for the following year, we have to make conditions to prepare and that means that everybody will become more efficient. And certainly, we look forward ahead. The end game is to cut that overtime. making sure everybody gets their hours done, and of course, whenever overtime is needed or called for. it will be included. The work that the running of the fire department entails is that we have to have an administrative assistant. That is what we have provided previously, an F.O that is assisting. And in there, we’ve seen that the increments and salary promotions, salary increases that we need to looked at. It has been sitting on a desk whereby it’s been slow to come. So we are saying that in the last ten months, we have been seeing that more and more is being addressed. In terms of the word corruption, there’s always allegations of that, but it would need to be corroborated. But what we’re saying at that meeting, it was listened to, we discussed. I said if you bring forth the evidence if there is rampant corruption, then of course as a minister of this ministry, we will not tolerate these kinds of things occurring. We acknowledge it, that’s certainly, if there is what they are saying, we will do the investigation, but you need to bring proof because it’s only an allegation.”
In a pivotal decision on Wednesday, the High Court of Belize delivered a verdict that’s set to impact the future of cruise tourism in the country. Michael Feinstein had taken the Government of Belize to court, arguing that their plan to forcibly acquire twenty-three acres of Stake Bank Island infringed on his constitutional rights. After a four-month legal battle, Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke ruled that the government’s intention to acquire Stake Bank Island does not violate the constitution. As a result, the High Court dismissed Feinstein’s case, giving the Briceno administration the green light to seize the land for public use. Tonight, News Five’s Paul Lopez dives deep into the twists and turns of this case and how we arrived at this critical juncture. Here’s the full report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Wednesday, the High Court of Belize made a significant ruling in the case brought by Michael Feinstein against the Government of Belize. Feinstein challenged the government’s plan to forcibly acquire twenty-three acres of Stake Bank Island, claiming it was unconstitutional. However, the court found that the government’s actions did not violate any constitutional provisions. The Briceno administration had announced its intent to acquire the land back in August 2024, and now, with the court’s decision, they have the green light to proceed. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of cruise tourism development in Belize.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Aug 28, 2024)
“As you all know this, there’s a legislation that was passed by the UDP whereby we deemed this project of national importance. And now that it seems that between the different investors, they have been having issues. That project has been at a standstill. We have, I think, approximately two hundred and seventy million dollars. But because there is a dispute with the land, that project cannot be finished. And if you look at the numbers for the cruise lines, they’re going down, we need to be able to finish that project. We believe that as a government, what we did is first to put the first notice of acquisition. What does that trigger? It triggers then the owner to come to the government and to say okay, this is my land, and they negotiate a price.”
The Feinstein Group didn’t hold back in voicing their objections to GOB’s plans. They accused the government of siding with the OPSA Group, a Honduran company financing the project, which later got entangled in a legal dispute with Feinstein. The Feinstein Group also claimed that the Government of Belize couldn’t prove that the land acquisition was in the public’s best interest. As a result, the acquisition has been put on hold.
Godfrey Smith
Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law (File: Oct 17th, 2024)
“The end goal is vindication that the twenty-three point three acres standing in his name which was issued to him by the ministry of natural resources, he validly holds title to it, and it is lawfully his.”
The Briceño administration presented the compulsory acquisition to the public as an attempt to resurrect the cash strapped multi-million-dollar tourism project, to save Belize’s cruise tourism industry. Just days before the High Court’s preliminary hearing, Prime Minister John Briceño dropped a bombshell on “Open Your Eyes.” He revealed that Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the giants in the cruise and shipping industry, was keen on taking over the project. This announcement added a new twist to the unfolding drama.
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Oct 7th, 2024)
“They’re saying, “Well, now, we’d be interested, but we don’t want to get into this mess. The only way we’d be interested is if this mess is settled, and we buy over then.” So that the only way we can do that is by compulsorily acquiring land.”
Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law (File: Oct 17th, 2024)
“That is why we are in court, because the instruction from our client is that he does not believe it is for a legitimate public purpose and a number of other grounds. His position is he intends to challenge that. Within the land being vested to the government it cannot be transferred to MSC or OPSA or Stake Bank or anybody else.”
Well, after nearly four months of deliberation, High Court Judge Rajiv Goonetilleke delivered his verdict. He ruled that the compulsory acquisition of Stake Bank Island is not unconstitutional and aligns with the idea of acquisition for public purposes. The Feinstein Group couldn’t substantiate their claims, leading to the dismissal of their case. This ruling is a significant win for the Briceno administration. Looking ahead, the future of the project is intriguing, especially since Prime Minister Briceno recently announced plans for a similar development just a few miles away at the government-owned Port of Belize Limited. What will this mean for cruise tourism in Belize? Only time will tell.
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Jan 22, 2025)
“I believe that by the end of the next government we should have a cruise port and a modern container.”
Reporter
“So does that mean Stake Bank is dead. It makes no sense to have two mega cruise port in the Belize District within miles of each other.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“We all knew that Stake Bank was short to medium term investment.”
Earlier this week, that latest statement by PM Briceño received heavy criticism from Michael Peyrefitte, the Chairman of the UDP.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Sometimes I don’t think he appreciates that he is the head of government for a sovereign nation. By saying this is temporary, what has he done? He has essentially killed that project with his words, because how do you go to cruise lines and say come somewhere that is only temporary.”
Interestingly, on January fourteenth, during an appearance on “Open Your Eyes,” Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler was asked which port project in Belize he thought was the most feasible and practical to complete. He threw his support behind Stake Bank. Mahler also suggested that both Stake Bank and the Port of Belize Limited could coexist harmoniously in the same area.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“That would be Stake Bank if you have to look at it honestly, because that is nearer to be completed. We are working on a master plan for Port of Belize which should be completed in March. But that has two components to it, cargo and cruise and they can work together. It is done all over the world. People who want to push their own agenda would say no, but they can work together.”
Belizean investor Michael Ashcroft, who owned the Port of Belize Limited, has weighed in on the Stake Bank situation. He expressed his doubts about the government’s true intentions for the island, adding another layer of intrigue to this developing story.
Michael Ashcroft
Michael Ashcroft, Investor
“On something like Stake Bank, what is the plan? What do they need Stake Bank for? Is it a temporary measure? Is it a permanent measure? Until they sort that out, nobody knows what is going to happen on that. Nobody knows if there is a secret agreement or arrangement. But at this point everything appears to be flat.”
The frequent downpours in Belize City have left many streets in dire need of repair. Today, a resident from the Pen Road area reached out, asking the Belize City Council to assist those living in Waller Alley. This alley, located off Pen Road across from the basketball court, has turned into a large pool of water due to the constant rains. Jehvon Ramclam, a local resident, mentioned that schoolchildren have had to get creative to navigate the flooded alley until it’s fixed. Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner acknowledged the issue, stating that the rains have taken a toll on the infrastructure. He assured reporters that the council is working hard to address the flooded streets, potholes, and drains as quickly as possible.
Jehvon Ramclam
Jehvon Ramclam, Resident, Pen Road
“If you notice, the hole is down there somewhere, the hole is through there, all the way there, so too. In the morning, when the, um, we got young pregnant women live through there too. When the pregnant women come home from school, they have to walk barefooted. They mess up, they really mess up. Then, we got people back there, we do here all kind of things. Nobody want to walk through that, if you go do their hair or nothing. So, we really need help.”
Marion Ali
“What do they do to navigate through the mud and the swamp?”
Jehvon Ramclam
“They walk, they walk through it, they don’t have no next choice, no next option. If you notice over there, there’s one rubber boots over there, so.”
Marion Ali
“So they leave their shoes and their rubber boots there and walk?”
Jehvon Ramclam
“They leave their rubber boots there, and then they put on their tennis when they reach out, go to school and whatnot. When they come back, that is the same thing. They have to take off their shoes and walk through it.”
Marion Ali
“How many families would you say live back there?”
Jehvon Ramclam
“About ten, and ih goh way da back cause da wa alley. Way da back ih goh. Yes ma’am.”
Marion Ali
“And you live back here too?”
Jehvon Ramclam
“ Partly. I live cross the street but da like I live back ya because I deh back ya nearly every day.”
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“ We are completely looking at how we change the way we address drains maintenance, chopping of grass, potholes, we know that the current system that we have in place has not worked, does not work, um, for the residents of the city, and, and, and we are very aware of that and so we are working on a new system which will be really powered by GIS where we’ll be really dividing up the entire city north side south side into different grids we call them grids. 24 such grids have been identified and what we’ll be doing we’ll be having dedicated teams for each grid so you’ll have a chopping team, you will have pothole teams, you will have, um, drainage maintenance team within the scope of each grid and they will be dedicated to that area. So, it provides accountability. That, um, if I am in this area, I become familiar with the terrain, um, I come, I become familiar with the residents in the area and it is more responsive. But again, one of our priority areas is drainage. That is key and so within the scope of this year, we’ll be ensuring that we focus on infrastructure, potholes, decent streets, ensuring that the drains are clean and maintained in a timely fashion. That is very important for us.”
Reporter
“What about sidewalks?”
Bernard Wagner
“Sidewalks again, everything is on the table, safety of our residents are always important. We’re not only worry about the motorists, but we always worry about the pedestrians, the kids. And so, if we have to put sidewalks in certain areas, we certainly will look at that.”
