Sewage Overflows at Belize City Bus Terminal

It was a foul sight at the Belize City bus terminal this weekend, as sewage overflowed from a drain and ran onto the street.

The incident comes months after the Ministry of Transport promised major upgrades to the terminal, including improved bathroom facilities and flood mitigation. Those renovations have yet to begin.

When asked about the cause of the overflow, Ministry of Transport CEO Chester Williams pointed to recent heavy rains. “I think it happened because of the volume of rain received over the past few weeks,” he said.

Williams said the immediate problem has since 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.”

He acknowledged that sanitation at the Belize City terminal has been a persistent problem, noting that the renovation plans include four new bathroom stalls at the compound. “We’re hoping that it’ll come sooner rather than later,” he said.

The delay, Williams said, is not due to funding. According to him, “the money has been approved, and the money has been allocated.”

He added that the project is still in the planning phase. Engineers and architects from the Ministry of Infrastructure have already visited the site, and officials are waiting on final drawings. “Once we receive the drawing and a bill of quantity, then that goes to create the tender documents,” he explained.

Meanwhile, renovations are already underway at the Belmopan Bus Terminal, with Belize City expected to follow.