CitCo to Talk to Culprit for Backed-Up Yabra Canal
Who is responsible for the silt backed up on the south side? Before the Easter holidays, we told you about the proposed work to be done in the Yabra Canal to remove the silt that has backed up for the past few months. The Belize City Council and other partner agencies have been monitoring the canal and an official assessment was carried out to determine why this problem is a recurring one and what needs to be done to fix it. That report has been completed, but the findings are yet to be officially released. When we caught up with Councilor Phillip Willoughby today we asked him about the canal – he says an entity has been named in the assessment as the one responsible for the siltation – but they wish to meaningfully engage that entity before a name is released.
Philip Willoughby
Philip Willoughby, CEMO, BCC
“In relation to the assessment, an entity was called out in the assessment and before we release it, I would like to engage with the entity to show them the findings; discuss the findings and maybe they can do a scientific analysis and assessment to find out on their own themselves and then we come back and discuss it and then we make it public. But I just don’t want to come and say ‘oh you know what, dah Channel Five or Channel Seven or Reporter responsible fi dis without even speaking with them. So, I want to be responsible in that endeavor with this business.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, essentially, you are saying the assessment has highlighted that an entity may be responsible for some of what has transpired here?”
Philip Willoughby
“Yes. It is pointing in that direction. But, like I said, we need to engage – the benefit of the doubt to engage. We are not here to create any fight or any kind of enemies. We want to create and be a part of sustainable development and a level playing field so that we can discuss the issue and how it is affecting us here. We don’t want any kind of indifference with any organization or anyone.”
Andrea Polanco
“So, you guys haven’t put together a time line of when you will have that discussion; when the works will continue; can you share some of the details with us?”
Philip Willoughby
“The PR Manager Mister Williams is responsible for reaching out to that entity and so we hope to meet with them tomorrow and at least discuss and deliberate on the findings and then we go from there.”
