Y2K Council launches public awareness campaign

In an effort to allay fears about the Y2K computer bug and its possible effects on Belize this January 1st, the National Y2K Council of Belize has embarked on a public awareness campaign. Today they met at the Radisson Fort George to tell the public what steps have been taken to make Belize Y2K compliant. Minister of Budget Planning and Management Ralph Fonseca says the government has been taking the issue very seriously. Project Manager Alvan Haynes says people should get informed and not rely on rumors.

Alvan Haynes, Project Manager, Y2K Council

“Things like planes will fall out of the sky, your VCRs and televisions won’t work, your ATM cards of the ATM machines won’t work…we would like to reassure everyone that this is not the case.”

Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Budget Planning and Management

“Even though the public and private sectors in Belize are not highly computerized, the Government of Belize has recognized the need to devote priority attention and adequate resources in order to minimize the potential effects of the Y2K problem.”

Key organizations like the Central Bank, Belize Telecommunications Limited, Belize Electricity Limited WASA, major hotels, fuel companies and citrus and sugar industries have spent thousands of dollars getting their computer systems ready. The Y2K council is helping each government department prepare a comprehensive inventory of computers and electronic for Y2K compliance testing and is updating international organizations on Belize’s Y2K readiness. On Thursday night’s newscast Janelle Chanona will have in depth look at what BEL, BTL, WASA and as well as the banks and air carriers are doing to make sure Belizeans won’t have any Y2K complications come January 1st.