Demonstrators protest new B.T.L. rates
At the unveiling of its revised rate structure on November sixteenth a BTL executive described the new charges as bringing “good news and great benefits” for BTL’s customers. But less than a week into the new reality of over one hundred percent hikes in the cost of local service it is clear that the public wasn’t buying.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This morning people opposed to B.T.L.’s new rates gathered in Constitution Park in Belize City, eager to take to the streets. The demonstrators seemed determined not to be fazed by the less than massive attendance.
Hubert Enriquez, Public Service Union
“Besides the fact that we’re going to pay far, far more now, imagine, rental is going to go up a hundred and fifty percent, installation of telephones is going up a hundred and fifty percent, Internet charges going up some eighty percent. But besides that though, the fact that there’s going to be less money for other business people is going to affect the economy as well. So we feel very strongly that we had to protest and we had to make known our displeasure in a very public way. That’s way I’m here today to protest the outrageous behaviour of B.T.L.”
With plenty of onlookers taking notice, the placard-bearing public made their way toward Battlefield Park.
A scan of the crowd revealed some familiar faces from the political arena, who were no doubt trying to position themselves on the right side of an issue that is about as lopsided as they come.
When the demonstration reached the park, its organisers, drawn largely from the nation’s unions, took to the podium.
George Frazer, B.N.T.U.
“Da wa message to B.T.L., da wa message to Government, da wa message to the Belize Water Services, da wa message to whoever…We no wa tek it no longer. The people wa tek ova. No think that because yu see wa lee crowd, thousand more de deh, so B.T.L., suck it in, understand…we de come fu you if you nuh tighten up.”
Nuri Muhammed
“The people of Belize are saying that no longer are you are going to take us for granted. We will react now and we will continue to react until we get the right kind of reaction from B.T.L. They cannot try to justify that what they are charging us is justified. They cannot justify it. They are using tricknology to try and justify.”
Margaret Ventura, Public Service Union
“We cannot afford it and we will not allow it. The telephone set rental has moved from two dollars to five dollars. B.T.L. will make one point five million dollars off that increase. The line access rental for residents, they will make three point nine million dollars. From line access for business rentals, they will make three point six million dollars. Doubling the telephone rates on the poor consumers of Belize will rack up another nineteen million dollars. We have no millions to give away.”
Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
While the demonstration’s organisers came armed with facts and figures, for the mass of marchers it was a matter of raw emotion and empty pockets.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
“Belizeans came from all walks of life, regardless of their politics, race religion or creed. One thing they had in common though, they want lower telephone rates.”
Citizen #1
“I think enough is enough. I think that if people don’t stand up and respond, then government will take for granted that they can go through the very slow process that they are going through to address this issue. I think this is a natural expression of people across political lines, religious lines, out district, in district, Belize City, rural, everybody is affected by this.”
Citizen #2
“I’m just demonstrating Because I want lower rates for telephone. I think the rates are too high.”
Citizen #3
“I am out here because B.T.L. is killing us.”
Citizen #4
“The death is announced of Belize telecommunications authority. Funeral services will be announced yesterday.”
Citizen #5
“I think that B.T.L. needs to recognise that as part of our global involvement to develop, the average Belizean will never be able to pay these kinds of rates that they’re charging. I think it’s just ludicrous.”
Citizen #6
“We some more of this so that we could get some results. We want some more because we tek it too easy.”
Citizen #7
“B.T.L. is raping the country of Belize. The telephone rates are too high and escalating daily. We need to have new company so wee can have some competition.”
Citizen #8
“My personal view is the government is at fault. When you sell out fifty-one controlling shares, you leave with nothing else, and how could you sell me something and tell me how to regulate it?”
Citizen #9
“Basically we want lower rates. It’s not about party politics, we just want lower rates, better rates for all customers that use the service.”
Police were augmented by B.T.L.’s own security guards on Church Street, but the protest never did get out of hand. As for future street action, that will depend on the Public Utilities Commission…and the attitude of B.T.L. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The P.U.C. will hold public hearings on the new rates on Tuesday at the Radisson.
