Construction debris riles city residents
While no one would be so bold as to use the word “beautiful” to describe Belize City, the old capital has over the last decade gradually taken on a more wholesome appearance. But not every property owner has been infected with the neat and clean spirit…as Ann-Marie discovered this afternoon.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Residents of Belisle Alley on King Street in the old capital are up in arms over a mountain of construction debris that has been sitting in their main walkway for over three weeks. The oldest resident of the alley is Rose Hinds, who wasn’t camera shy to express her displeasure.
Rose Hinds, Belisle Alley Resident
Wooo, I tell you, Mr. Bennett or me tell the owner about it and deh noh do nothing. And this alley nevah (never) does look soh, nevah. And anytime the people come they thrown more dirt and when yuh (you) tell them bout it deh wah cuss yuh (they would curse you), and that noh right. All the time this alley does clean, nevah see like that yet, nevah.”
Hinds says she’s concerned about the eyesore, especially since it has the potential to harm children who play in the area.
Rose Hinds
“There are lot of nails and then we have children in here and one time the nail juk my grandson and I tell one a di bwai (boy) and they seh deh no business, (they said they’re not concerned) they di throw out di dirt.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“How long has this dirt been here?”
Rose Hinds
“Oh my peace, long time, long time. And we tell them bout it. And when we tell the other fella weh work over this side, he says he no business (concerned with) over this side, he business yah, he no business deh.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“You say the City Council has been called too?”
Rose Hinds
“Yes, the City Council come, but nobody noh show up yet.”
Merv Bennett, another residents of Belisle Alley, complains that rats are now infesting the area owning to the dirt piling up between the two construction sites.
Merv Bennett, Belisle Alley Resident
“This is going on for three weeks. Every time they say they’re gonna move the garbage, can’t move the garbage. Me personal now, I have a small business as a dental technician, I have people come to see me and it’s very inconvenient for people that come for a service.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Have you all called the City Council for help?”
Merv Bennett
“Well the City Council came here before and they were cleaning up, but now it went back to the same thing.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“So you don’t want to call the name of the man who owns the garbage?”
Merv Bennett
“Well I really don’t want to get into that, I really don’t want to…”
Ann-Marie Williams
“But it’s affecting you.”
Merv Bennett
“It’s affecting me, but they know who it is.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Our efforts to reach Mr. Ellis at the Belize City Council were unsuccessful. However, the Council says that the owner of the construction site is responsible to cart away the debris. Failing that, legal action can result in a substantial fine.
