P.U.P. People’s Assembly hits southside Belize City
On Saturday evening the People’s United Party’s campaign train pulled into the old capital as part of its nationwide tour. Patrick Jones files the following report.
The football field opposite the Racoon Street Police Station in Belize City, overflowed on Saturday night. The cheers, however, were not for the local champion soccer team, but for team twenty-nine of the People’s United Party. It was the culmination of the series of countrywide People’s Assemblies and party leader Said Musa outlined plans and projects proposed by the six P.U.P. standard bearers for the renewal of southside Belize City. Before the plans were unveiled, Musa offered a situational analysis of life in the Queen’s Square, Port Loyola, Mesopotamia, Lake Independence, Collet and Albert divisions.
Said Musa, Leader, P.U.P.
“The hard-hearted tyrants who rule over the southside and over our country today, try to pretend that this ugly face of poverty does not exist or is not widespread. But we cannot hide from the reality – from the london bridges over swamp and stagnant cesspools, from the young raggedly dressed barefoot children begging on the streets, from the appalling housing conditions our people live in.”
Musa continued by saying that crime and violence are also problem areas for southside Belize City and that poor people are some of the worse victims.
Said Musa
“In today’s Belize people are no longer safe in their homes, in the streets, in their neighborhoods. They are crying out for help and this U.D.P. government has been impotent in controlling crime. Belizeans have never been so unsafe and insecure as under this U.D.P. government that had promised to secure their future. We cannot go on like this. We need a change.”
That change Musa says will only come with the P.U.P. whose plan for the area seeks to address key issues like unemployment, sports and education.
Said Musa
“We will bring new industries to the southside to create jobs for our people. There will be land reclamation and a major housing construction and rehabilitation program for residents of the area. The social and cultural amenities will be enhanced. Tourism related industries such as wood carving and souvenir shops will be promoted. Enterprise zones will be given tax incentives. Our beautiful coastline will be protected. Cultural workers in tharts, dance and music will be supported. More sports facilities will be built and existing facilities upgraded and we will bring back semi-professional sports to promote sports as an income generation industry.”
Following the party leader’s presentation, the six southside standard bearers addressed their constituents, explaining in more detail their vision for the renewal of southside Belize City. Patrick Jones for News Five.
