Perez Points to Broader Development Plan for Ambergris Caye

The debate over a proposed new airport is drawing attention, but Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, says residents should not lose sight of the bigger picture. He says plans to develop northern Ambergris Caye, including the construction of another airport, have been under discussion for years. In fact, Prime Minister John Briceño established a task force in 2022 to examine the island’s development potential. Perez says the airport is just one piece of that vision, and residents should also pay attention to the other projects in the pipeline that could bring benefits to the island.

 

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“That has been in discussion for quite some time. Even when I was the former Minister of Civil Aviation that is the plan that was to be discussed that there was a need to prepare for the net ten to fifteen years, that we have to prepare for growth. WE do understand the need for a new airport, but we don’t want to lose the importance of the need for the other infrastructure, mainly the sewer, lights, streets, land which is case in point a very critical part of this development up north, which is giving land to people who have for the past fifteen, twenty years have been marginalized. The have not been able to get a piece of property. That is also part of the infrastructure development and what my office has been doing is giving out land to prepare for this development.”

 

Paul Lopez

“But at this time, there is little to no development in the immediate vicinity where this new airport is proposed.”

 

Andre Perez

“I beg to differ, remember the proposed area is the social security lands and as we speak right now that entire road leading up to Secret Beach is being paved. We have paved a mile or so as we head up north. Electricity is going to Secret Beach as well, funded by BTB and taken to Secret Beach. So already it is being developed and a lot of housing going up in that area.”

 

The proposed plan to develop Northern Ambergris Caye has been getting more attention over the last two weeks that it ever has, and that may be because stakeholders are finally demanding that they be included the process.

 

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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