Airlines, banks, B.T.L. and others prepared for Y2K
This week the National Y2K Council told Belizeans they need not fear the Y2K computer bug because for months now the various sectors of the economy which would be most affected have been spending lots of time and money making sure their equipment is Y2K compliant. But what about all the speculation that ATM machines won’t work, flights will be delayed or the lights will go out on January first? This week Janelle Chanona went in search of the myths and the realities of Y2K.
Janelle Chanona
“Between what’s on TV and the rumors on the street, it’s hard to figure out what’s fact and what’s fiction about Y2K. So what is this Y2K?”
Alvan Haynes, Project Manager, Y2K Council
“Computers were designed, initially were designed to handle only two digits in a year so they can’t handle the 00, they would think it means 1900.”
Even though Belize isn’t what you would call a “computer based” country, Belizean businesses still need to be prepared, especially since we import just about everything.
Alvan Haynes
“Our main fear is that if there are international tie ups, we will get a slow down in supplies and anything that comes in internationally. Being a Third World country and very small, obviously we would not be high on the priority list.”
Since 1996, Belize Telecommunications Ltd. has spent about twenty-four million dollars, upgrading and, replacing equipment and training its staff. They say they’ve been ready since this September but it’s not Y2K they’re worried about.
Martha Molina, Corporate Executive, B.T.L.
“I think one of our main concerns is not really a Y2K problem but what we called a capacity problem. For example, if everybody picks up their line to test the telephone line at midnight, we could have congestion.”
Belize Electricity Limited is also confident they will be able to see the company through this New Year’s Eve.
Sean Fuller, Information Systems Manager, B.E.L.
“The light will be on on January first, 2000. We won’t have problems, I can assure you. With all this testing, continuously going on, we are in the process of developing our contingency plan in the event, which we don’t anticipate, but in the event there are some glitches. The contingency plan will kick in to allow us to continue to provide power to Belize.
The music won’t stop playing, the lights won’t go out; it’ll be like any other year.”
Tropic Air says January first will be just another day for them too.
Amado Badillo, Regional Manager, Tropic Air
“We’re scheduling our airplanes just as any other day. We have all our flights commencing at seven from Punta Gorda and San Pedro and continuing for the rest of the day and for the rest of the year. We don’t have any difference in our schedule as from 1999 to 2000.
We can definitely assure the public that Tropic Air is Y2K ready, everything, all our equipment, all our airplanes, are Y2K compliant. We don’t foresee any problems.”
But the Police Department is seeing problems come 2000 and while the crime rate goes up every holiday season, the Police Department is not taking any chances.
Christy Castillo, Police Press Officer
“This year because of the whole Y2K deal and the worry, and I mean it’s a serious worry, we’ve decided that we are going to have up maximum security. All officers will be either working or on call, senior officers – everyone. We’ll be watching industrious areas especially and places where things might happen.”
Some of the places things might happen are at the banks. Neri Matus of the Central Bank of Belize says whatever comes along, the banks will have cash to go around.
Neri Matus, Financial Sector, Central Bank
“All banks have made sure that they have enough cash and the Central Bank has enough cash. So we have something in place for them to get cash from the Central Bank if that happens.”
ESSO representative Rufino Lin says his company can’t make those kinds of promises.
Rufino Lin, ESSO Standard Oil S.A. Ltd.
“There are things that are outside ESSO’s control, which could affect the availability of petroleum supplies. These include global supply of crude oil, imports of refined products to Belize and also local issues like power generation, telecommunications and whether local customers hold supplies and thus cause shortages. As a result of factors outside of its control, ESSO will not make guarantees it cannot back up regarding year end fuel supplies.”
The end of the year usually means more tourists come to Belize looking for warmer weather. The Belize Tourism Board says tourists need not be afraid of getting stuck in Belize, not because of Y2K at least.
Henry Atherley, Belize Tourism Board
“Business is looking good. We have done all the regulatory procedures that are necessary with worldwide compliance and we’ve also checked with many of the major hotels to see that they are Y2K compliant. And if there’re any problems, which we highly doubt, they can contact us and we can help them in any way we can.”
Alvan Haynes
“Hey! Everyone’s ready. There’s no need to panic because you will be able to get your money out the bank, the electricity will keep working, the phones will continue working and don’t listen to rumors.”
Janelle Chanona
“Y2K… fear or festivities, paranoia or party. The Belizean experts say there’s nothing to worry about so I’m ready and waiting for the bashment to begin! Janelle Chanona for News Five.”
News Five would like to thank the owners and staff of Club Y2K for their assistance in this story.
