Prince Andrew tours South as part of official visit
Over the weekend, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, arrived in Belize for an official four-day visit. Today, the Prince toured the southern part of the country and News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams and Rick Romero were on hand for part of the day.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
This morning, section three of the Southern Highway upgrading project was officially dedicated. The twenty point five mile stretch of road from Bladen Bridge to the Big Creek Port was made possible with a twenty-six million dollar grant from the United Kingdom through its Department for International Development, DFID. And who better to inaugurate the project, which was completed in November 2001 than his Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
“I do hope this is the only moment that there is no traffic on this particular bit of highway because it is a major artery in your economic future, both domestic and international.”
This major artery, which connects the heart of the southern districts, promises to improve the lives of all Belizeans, above all farmers.
Johnny Briceno, Acting Prime Minister
“When the entire Southern Highway is finished, farmers will be able to take their produce to a wider market. They won’t be limited to selling their produce in their prevailing areas. But they will have the option of going to Punta Gorda, to Dangriga, to Belize City, to Orange Walk and even as far as Corozal Town to get the best prices for their produce. Likewise, the people living in those other areas will also benefit by having a wider variety of produce to choose from and with competitive prices. That, is what development is all about.”
The development of the Southern Highway started back in 1994 with the Kuwait government paving the first twenty miles of road, from the Punta Gorda junction to Big Falls Village.
In welcoming the gathering, Minister of Work Henry Canton says that southern Belize has been regarded as the forgotten districts for too long, although significant development have taken place.
Henry Canton, Minister of Works
“In addition to the long established citrus industry, the banana industry was undergoing fundamental reform. The Big Creek Port was developed and shrimp farming was taking hold. And the pristine beaches of Seine Bight, Placencia, and Hopkins were discovered as the new potential for tourism in Belize. One significant hurdle remained, it took many hours, and truly a Dakar Rally-like experience to travel from Independence, Big Creek to anywhere.”
The Southern Highway starts at mile six outside of Dangriga and ends at the Punta Gorda Junction. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
After the dedication ceremony of the highway, Prince Andrew then travelled to Monkey River Village where he visited with families affected by Hurricane Iris.
Keeping up with his packed schedule, the Prince then headed north where he cut the ribbon for a homeless shelter in Belize City. Jacqueline Woods has that story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
There were no residents present for the visit of Prince Andrew to the Good Samaritan Homeless Shelter, but the premises had been cleaned and prepared for the occasion. His Royal Highness was on hand to unveil a plaque that officially opened the facility.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
“When I go up the stairs to unveil this plaque, none of you are going to be able to see me do it. So when I go up the stairs, would you all walk forward… But it’s an enormous pleasure for me to be here today, especially because the United Kingdom has had a special relationship with Belize, but particularly with this particular project, through our High Commissioner and the Small Grant Scheme. And it gives me great pleasure today to be here and to show and demonstrate quite clearly our commitment to these sorts of projects in Belize. But thank you all very much indeed and if you’d like to follow me we’re going to go up the stairs.”
In December, the Good Samaritan Shelter for the homeless was relocated from Pickstock Street to its present location on Church Street. The building is the former office of the Human Development Department and had to be renovated to be used as a residence. This was accomplished through the British High Commission’s Small Grant Scheme.
Deborah Banner, Supervisor, Good Samaritan Shelter
“They painted both the inside and outside of the building, did major wooden repairs, they constructed a new bathroom for staff. There was a drain constructed to the back of the building and also a washstand for the residents that they can use.”
Presently there are five women and twelve men staying at the home. Supervisor Deborah Banner says the shelter is filled to capacity.
Deborah Banner
“I feel that there is a need for another homeless shelter because there are many people out there on the streets. There are about a hundred and seventy-five people sleeping on sidewalks, the port office area, and especially the women, they are susceptible to danger.”
Banner says periodically the Ministry of Human Development, conducts checks throughout the city to see that as few homeless as possible are sleeping in public places. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
On Tuesday, Prince Andrew will open a classroom extension and library at the Youth Hostel on the Western Highway and participate in a tree planting ceremony in Belmopan.
