San Antonio Villagers Receive New Water Meter System
Residents of San Antonio Village are transitioning from a water board system to water meters on every property in the community. Faced with a shortage of water supply, the Ministry of Rural Transformation partnered with the Belize Social Investment Fund to dig wells in the community, in hopes of establishing a new water source. But, after drilling five wells, it was concluded that there is not enough water underground to sustain the growing population. As a result, a water expansion project to place meters on every home was introduced. To date, three hundred and ninety-six water meters have been installed, ensuring a flow of clean potable water directly to these households. The system was officially handed over to the community today. We heard from Village Chairman Daniel Coc, the Executive Director at SIF, Carlos Tun, and Minister Oscar Requena.
Daniel Coc
Daniel Coc, Chairperson, San Antonio Village Council
“When we took over this office we inherited a fat electricity bill at the water board. So the Chairman, the council sat down and discussed how we are going to reduce that bill. I must take this opportunity to tell you that from twenty-five thousand we reduced that bill to ten thousand as we speak. The community is expanding so we need more water. So what the minister said is since we can’t find the well what about implementing the meter system and everybody was up for it. It was exciting news so we started to work towards it.”
Carlos Tun
Carlos Tun, Executive Director, SIF
“I would like to express our gratitude to all stakeholders, including the dedicated project team at SIF, community members, and the finding entity that made this investment possible. The total investment for this project, provided through funding from the CARICOM Development fund, amounted to just over one hundred and eighty four thousand dollars, a testament to the value we place on access to clean water as a basic human right.”
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation
“I want to say that in November of 2020 you decide, you went to the polls and said Oscar Requena we are going to give you an opportunity to fight for us, work for us and represent us. I want to say thank you for the privilege and opportunity that have you have given to me.”
