P.M. on Vulcan: We Need to Hear Them Out.

Prime Minister John Briceño

P.M. Briceño was also asked for his thoughts on Vulcan Material and its proposal for mining near Gales Point Manatee. The Prime Minister was more open to hearing from the company than other government representatives who have shared on the subject. P.M. Briceño noted that while it is a matter that must not be taken lightly or kindly to, there is a process for Vulcan Material to share with the relevant authorities.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is a basic right. Anybody can come and buy land, once the owner is prepared to sell. Now, whether they will get the necessary approval that is another matter. I think the Minister of Natural Resources has been very clear on his position. And, if the issue should ever come up, the Area Representative, the Minister of Human Development, Honorable Balderamos has also said it is something that her voters do not support. Certainly, myself as a former minister of environment I don’t think it is something that will take lightly or kindly to say that those beautiful hills should be destroyed. But we cannot stop any company that wants to come and want to invest in Belize. We need to hear them out. You can’t just say well don’t come. We want them to come but they have to follow our laws, especially our environmental laws because we are known as a eco-friendly country. As such, we are going to do everything possible to protect that reputation that we have.”