North Creek attempts cleanup
The body of water known as North Creek would never be found on any postcard… unless it was part of a series on urban squalor. But while the Belize City neighbourhood may be down, it may yet find a way out.
Dickie Bradley, Minister of Housing
“Well one look at this you must know that this is definitely a pain in our heart.”
Faralee Gabourel, Reporting
And if you’ve ever walked along West Collet Canal and Dolphin Street, you’ll understand why Mr. Bradley is pained…and why he is initiating a cleanup of the infamous North Creek.
Dickie Bradley
“This along with several areas which area big sore and blight in Belize City cannot continue this way. For months we have been looking at it, we have been discussing it in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in terms of what best would be the solution.”
And now its time to stop discussing and start working. According to Bradley, his ministry has a long-term vision for North Creek.
Dickie Bradley
“You will observe that what is happening is that the Belize City Council has started a program. We have chopped down through the prison department, the prisoners have been called in to assist, they have chopped down a number of boatans and these are being stuck along the edge of the canal to hold in the earthen portion of the land. That program will continue all the way stretching down to the bridge at west Collet Canal, in the first phase. So you’re looking at about fourteen residents, which are right here from one bridge at Dolphin Street to the second street at West Collet Canal. We are putting proper banking along the edge of the canal, then the technicians at the Housing Department are looking at a number of options. One is whether we will continue West Collet Canal Street to come around Queen Square school and meet Dolphin Street area, whether we can bring the school yard out a couple feet more and give space to one of the largest primary schools over here on the Southside, we have over a thousand children in that school. Thirdly depending on what the soil tests show us, we may be able to do some filling and some further protection and get a number of houses on the spot as well. But anything will be an improvement over what is currently in existence.”
And that sentiment is echoed by the residents of the area.
Patrick Palacio, Resident
“Indeed we have been waiting for something like this because nobody wanted to do it and we feel good that Mr. Bradley finally come and say well its about time for us to help these people here.”
Carlos Augustine, Resident
“Well, that’s progress, we feel good to see something finally , a little progress and we would want to see more happening.”
Less talk, more action. If the North Creek can be rehabilitated, there may be some hope for the rest of the city. Reporting for News Five, I am Faralee Gabourel.
