Handful of protesters knock utilities

It was not exactly the million-man march, but what they lacked in numbers, they made up in confidence. The ten people that picked up placards and marched through downtown Belize City this morning call themselves the Group of Concerned Citizens…their cause? Consumer rights, especially when it comes to water, light and communication services. According to G.C.C.’s David Price, their mission is to make the monopoly companies hear and address their customers’ needs.

David Price, Group of Concerned Citizens

“We expect them to take into account their responsibility to the public. As far as I am aware, utility companies have never been accountable to their consuming public. They are probably accountable to their shareholders and owners, etc., but they have shown very keen interest to the consuming public. We want them to understand that the consuming public has a voice, that we demand excellence from them and we will not settle for less.”

Janelle Chanona

“Support for this event was minimal. Do you think it’s because people think they have that voice you are talking of or what you think the reasons for that could be?”

David Price

“I think we have a culture of a fair amount of complacency in Belize. We sit amongst ourselves, we complain, but we hardly ever publicly demonstrate against injustice, against poor services etc. We are hoping that this will be a catalyst that will generate that type of consciousness among our people.”

The demonstration began at Battlefield Park in downtown Belize City, made its way through Albert and Regent streets and ended back at the park.