B.D.F. Holds Annual Christmas Luncheon
The Belize Defense Force held its annual Christmas Luncheon today at Price Barracks. During the event, Prime Minister John Briceño handed over the keys for ten new trucks to the organization. Also, all government officials in attendance joined forces with the senior officers in serving every soldier a meal. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
What you may not know about Prime Minister John Briceño is that he drove sugarcane trucks in his past life. And, today he showed off his truck driving skills when he hopped behind the wheels of one of the ten brand new Hino trucks donated to the Belize Defense Force this morning.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“If I get demoted and I come work for BDF I want to be able to drive those trucks, because the truck have AC and ih have nice seats and those things. So, I think unuwah the fight among who is going to be driving those trucks. And, ih drive well. I just drive it a lee bit because I know many of you thought I wouldn’t be able to drive a truck. We come from the north, Florencio and I.”
The vehicles, along with another five trucks that are already en route,come by way of a loan from Central American Bank for Economic Integration, valued at sixty million dollars. During his visit to Price Barracks, Prime Minister Briceño also announced that a significant investment will be made to upgrade the facilities on the compound.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Part of the funding, we met with the officials from CABEI and we said that we have an emergency and that we need to work on your barracks now. So, we will be getting the funding early in the New Year and we will be able to build your restaurant and also two barracks for all of you. So, apart from the trucks you are going to be getting your barracks and your restaurant. I don’t know why they call it restaurant. I hope that they don’t expect you to pay for your food. That is another matter for another day.”
Discussions related to the CABEI loan began all the way back in 2014. PM Briceño says the previous administration was unable to finalize those discussions. But, through persistent dialogues over the last year, the much needed funds for improvement have been approved, much to the delight of Brigadier General Azariel Loria, the Commander of the Belize Defense Force.
Brigadier General Azariel Loria
Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.
“We waited and waited and waited and that did not materialize until this year. And this year from CABEI we have gotten our eighty six computers, some printers, platters, maps so that we can do our operations in the length and breadth of Belize. We have our soldiers to find their positions where they are. And, today we finally got our ten Hino trucks, our troop lifting carrying vehicles. Next year the Prime Minister mentioned that we are going to have two barrack rooms, one kitchen refurbished.”
And, when the handing over ceremony was completed, the celebration moved directly into the annual Belize Defense Force Luncheon. It is tradition for the B.D.F. around this time of year for senior officers, and all government officials in attendance, to serve lunch and dessert. On hand were Prime Minister John Briceño, ministers Eamon Courtenay, Florencio Marin, Oscar Mira, Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie and Attorney General Magali Marin-Young. They all did their part in ensuring that each soldier in attendance was served a meal.
Brigadier General Azariel Loria
“We are very thankful. First of all, allow me to recognize all of our soldiers that are here today. And, we have not done our Christmas lunch just for Price Barracks. We have done it for Fairweather Camp. We have done it Isles Camp. Today it was here and tomorrow we are going to recognize the soldiers at Belizario Camp for their efforts that they have done throughout the years. The honorable Prime Minister John Briceno was here again today. Last year he was here and this year again. That speaks volumes of the leadership in government supporting the troops and we would want that to continue as long as we could.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
