Toledo gets eight million in road building equipment

Road building equipment for the Toledo District was handed over today at the Gentrac Belize Compound in Ladyville. The Caterpillar wheel loaders, backhoes, tractors, compactors, excavators and other equipment will be divided up into two units to improve existing roads and cut roads into areas such as Consejo Creek, Sunday Wood, San Benito Poite and Dolores Villages. Currently these villages only have trails leading to them. The Government Press Office spoke with Area Representative for Toledo East Michael Espat and Minister of Works Henry Canton about the purchase and additional equipment on order.

Michael Espat, Area Representative, Toledo East

“During the campaign we took the Prime Minister all over the Toledo District sometimes on horseback, sometimes walking. He realized the hardships the people of Toledo were going through. Together with the Honorable Marcial Mes we sat down and negotiated with the Prime Minister that we needed these road equipment to assist both Toledo East and Toledo West. You may ask well why two areas in one district. Well the district is a very large district and a large area to cover and presently just with the public works unit they are not able to cover all the area that the people are requiring that we touch.”

Henry Canton, Minister of Works

“The majority of the equipment that the Ministry of Works current has is on their last leg. Currently we have an order with Gentrac on similar terms for some additional equipment to reinforce San Ignacio, the Cayo District I should say, Orange Walk, Corozal and the Belize District. There is other equipment coming in. The whole idea with heavy equipment is to keep them to period in time, sell them with a little value sale on them and start over with new equipment.”

About eight million dollars was financed through Caterpillar Financial Services at eight percent interest over eight years.