A Raft of Public Works Eases Independence Gloom

Dean Barrow

Back to the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech, which told the story of a recession. If there was any good news to be found in the address, it was about the proliferation of public works. These projects were funded in part by Petro Caribe funds of sixty million dollars given to Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) for sporting facilities countrywide, particularly and including the Belize City Center here in Belize City. The Prime Minister also mentioned other major completed and ongoing works.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“The Belize Infrastructure Limited is still proceeding with the construction of sports and community facilities in the District Towns. And in the Old Capital the Belize City Center is beginning to commune with the heavens, the frame of its roof already dominating the skyline. The Chetumal Street Bridge and the new Lake I Boulevard function as a critical transportation by-pass, much appreciated by commuters. And the adjoining Resource Center Building starting to take shape, signals the implementation commencement of the Master Plan for the 45 acres owned by Government, designated now as a Special Development Area. It is a mixed use project that will house the National Bus Terminal and a G.O.B. office complex, but as well private sector recreational, entertainment and retail spaces. The larger, countrywide infrastructure canvas also displays a medley of good things. Those of you coming to Belmopan this morning from Belize City or from the San Ignacio, would have been impressed by the new Guanacaste Roundabout at the junction of the Hummingbird and the George Price Highway; and you should see it at night when it is splendidly lit up, gorgeously displaying its first world quality and serving as emblem and beacon for our non-stop transformation.”