Petroleum Advisory Board to be appointed

Members of Cabinet were given an update on recent developments in the petroleum industry during their last meeting for 2005. According to a briefing issued by Cabinet Secretary Robert Leslie, the Geology and Petroleum Office has issued petroleum exploration licenses to six companies since the discovery of oil in Spanish Lookout and is reviewing five other applications. In light of that, the executive body has voted to formulate a plan to guide the development of the industry, strengthen the department’s ability to cope with the additional workload, and to appoint a Petroleum Advisory Board.

In other Cabinet news, several amendments to the Protected Areas Conservation Trust will be presented to the National Assembly to enhance its role in the sustainable development of Belize’s natural resources. Cabinet has also agreed to consider a National Areas Policy and System Plan at a future meeting.

And finally, in keeping with the holiday season, Cabinet ministers consented that Liquor Licensing Boards may extend the opening hours of nightclubs until four a.m. on Christmas and New Year’s Eve if establishments apply for the additional hours.

As for the House of Representatives, its final meeting for this year will be on December twenty-eighth.