Sewage Leak at Novelo’s Bus Terminal, where are Promised Upgrades?

Over the weekend, commuters at Novelo’s Bus Terminal in Belize City were calling attention to what looked like raw sewage spilling from a sewer and running onto the street. It highlighted issues around health and sanitation at one of the country’s busiest terminals. Now, you might remember, back in May, the Ministry of Transport promised major upgrades for this terminal: better bathrooms, flood control, the works. But months later, those plans haven’t materialized. So, what happened? Today, we put that question to Chester Williams, the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Transport, and he explained why those renovations are still on hold.

 

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport

“I think it happened because of the volume of rain received over the past few weeks, and that might have caused some overflow in the sewer system and that overflow then flows onto the streets and which is indeed a serious health issue. And it is something that we are looking at. We do recognize that the bathroom system in Belize City is inadequate, and that’s the reason why as a part of the renovation we have included four brand new stalls for Belize City compound. So the bathroom stalls will be coming as a part of the renovation. We’re hoping that it’ll come sooner rather than later and will be able to alleviate that concern in Belize City.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Is the ministry able to provide any temporary assistance for the bus terminal when it comes to the situation?”

 

Chester Williams

“The matter has been resolved. It’s just a matter of getting the sewer truck in to go in and suck what needs to be sucked out from there. And that has been done. And so it is back to operational state. What we need to do is to make sure it is done regularly especially when it is raining. The upgrades are going to be coming from the public purse. And when it comes to undertaking any project of that magnitude, it does requires a process that we must follow. We’re currently in that stage right now working in tandem with the Ministry of Infrastructure. Their engineer and architecture had gone on the grounds and I think right now we’re waiting for the drawing. The architect is doing the drawing. Once we receive the drawing and a bill of quantity, then that goes to create the tender documents that will be putting out for tender inviting contractors to submit for the project. So we’re still at that stage at this time. We’re waiting for the drawing to come from Ministry of Infrastructure. If you would visit Belmopan terminal, you’ll see that the construction or the renovation of Belmopan terminal is already underway. We’re hoping that by the time we’re finished with the Belmopan, we should be ready to commence Belize city. The issue of the finance is not issued. The money has been approved and the money has been allocated. It’s just a matter of making sure now that we follow the proper process in awarding the tender of the contract to a competent contractor.”