Democracy at work: new House sworn in
But today, it was the Prime Minister and his administration that took centre stage as the new government and Senate was officially sworn in as elected representatives. News 5’s Patrick Jones was in the capital this morning.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The pomp and ceremony of today’s opening of the National Assembly was the symbol of democracy at work Belmopan.
The first order of business was the official appointment of a speaker, a post Elizabeth Zabaneh resumes…and deputy speaker of the House, a position filled by Valdemar Castillo. Then came the public oath of allegiance administered to the twenty-nine members of the House.
The Governor General, Sir Colville Young was on hand this morning to read the traditional throne speech which reviewed Government’s work over the last five years and gave a broad outline of what lies ahead.
Sir Colville Young, Governor General
“The People’s United Party government acknowledges its responsibility to continue to grow and transform the economy over the next five years and ensure that those most in need will benefit from this growth. The government is also determined to create a safe society for all our people. The aim of this new administration is for every child to have access to primary and secondary education. Arts, culture and sports will be promoted and supported in schools. Special attention will be given to our young people, ensuring that there is a physical education program in all schools and that grassroots sporting competitions are promoted as well as semi-pro and amateur sports.”
When Prime Minister Said Musa took the podium, his address emphasized that while a culture of dependency still exits, economic and social development will continue to be the main thrust of his government.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“Clearly, we have not yet succeeded in achieving this. Yes, we have grown the economy spectacularly. Yes we have created thousands of new jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship, but what we are dealing with here is a culture and a culture that cannot be changed by laws or even by providing opportunities and an enabling environment. These are essential yes, but they are not enough. Just as you fight fire with fire you must fight culture with culture.”
A significant segment of the P.M.’s speech focused on education, with promises to improve access and quality.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We will not abandon children to neglect, abuse and indifference. We will invest in early childhood education, to build more and better classrooms and community day care centres. We will create schools that will be a vital part of the early lives of our children and their parents. Our preschools will not replace, but enhance parental support by inspiring children to become self-confident, creative and independent thinkers, while preparing them for primary, secondary and tertiary education. We will continue our schools computerization program and establish computer education centres in all districts to give our children a real chance to participate in the telecommunications revolution by accessing and manipulating the technological advances that have become common place in our new century. Our aim is to educate our children for life and at the same time prepare them to seize the opportunities offered in a technologically advanced world.”
But while there is plenty of evidence of a healthy democracy, Musa stresses that attacking unhealthy attitudes will be an important program in his administration.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“In this context I am pleases to announce that we will establish a centre for multi-cultural studies at the University of Belize charged with the task of developing relevant research and programs for all sectors of the education system and the community as a whole. The keystone of our educational policy must be to transform the culture of indifference and materialism into a new civic dynamic, characterized by high social and ethical standards of citizenship. This is one way we can prepare our people to deal with the adversities, the fragilities and the uncertainties faced by our country.”
With the euphoria of the election campaign now replaced by the stark realities of national and international uncertainties, representatives on both sides of the aisle say they are ready for the challenge ahead.
Gabriel Martinez, Corozal Southeast Representative
“Well I must say that I feel honoured and privileged, yet humbled to be representing the people of my constituency and the people of the north. I must say that I feel that it will be an opportunity for me to be doing my very best to put forward the best interest of my people in this new national assembly.”
Sylvia Flores, Area Rep, Dangriga
“Certainly, I feel that this is a very unique opportunity for me as the only woman in the House. And I certainly feel that I have been privileged to have been elected by my constituency and I look forward to serving the people of Belize, my constituency, but also the people Belize. As I just swore this morning, I certainly will meet up to the challenges that will be confronting me in the future.”
Manuel Heredia Jr., Area Rep, Bz. Rural South
“Well my role over here will be to lobby hard to fight for my people and my constituency and to make sure that transparency and accountability is the number one thing in this administration, and for the whole of Belize.”
Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown
“Well first of all I think as a representative of the Freetown constituency, the people of the Freetown elected me to represent them, so I think in essence first and foremost my responsibility is to try and address the issues that are of concern to the people of Freetown and to try to work for them and to advance the causes that are important to them in the House of Representatives. Obviously, a lot of those interests and a lot of those concerns are also concerns to the rest of the nation. And so I have to fulfil that responsibility to serve all the people of Belize as a member of the House of Representatives.”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Area Rep., Port Loyola
“All of us today, the twenty-nine of us at least took our oath of allegiance that we will serve the people of this country without fear or favour. And I think that is what we as members of the House of Representatives need to hold one another. I am saying that at the end of the day I shouldn’t have problems in terms of delivering the basic goods and services to the residents of Port Loyola.”
On the Senate side, the representative appointed by the Council of Churches sees his role in the newly expanded upper house as crucial to the continuation of the political reform campaign.
Reverend Moises Chan, Senator
“We cannot develop just looking at the financial or developmental things. We have to ensure that we are on food footing and as church that is our role to ensure that.”
Patrick Jones
“Do you think you will be able to accomplish that goal of getting the reform movement moving forward?”
Rev. Moises Chan
“Well we always hope we cannot start in a spirit of defeat already. We have to see, this is the first day, this is party time I guess, but I do take personally my responsibility seriously, that’s how we took our role when we worked at that first time and we do what we can do. And of course we’re accountable to that extent, and we will do whatever we are given the power and ability to do, we will do.”
Patrick Jones
“While the make up of the new National Assembly reflects a diversity of experiences, those who are new to the game know that they are in it for the long haul. Reporting from Belmopan, Patrick Jones for News 5.”
