Trash is Increasing; Is the Bill Also Going Up?

Bernard Wagner

The contract says the Council pays BWC sixty thousand dollars weekly for garbage collection. We asked the Mayor whether this bill is increasing, based on the contractual agreement, even though the services are not being provided.  With the council already over a million dollars in debt, is the matter heading to court?

Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor

“That’s a legal question you’re asking me now. I will have to refer back to my attorneys on that matter. But if common sense would speak, if you are not collecting the garbage, obviously you are not performing the functions. But it is a legal matter and I’ll leave it to the legal team.”

Duane Moody

“Sir, but some would say that it is because the council did not pay; that’s why they are not picking up.”

Bernard Wagner

“Duane, yo di go into legal thing mien….”

Duane Moody

“Sir what I am trying to get to is whether this thing is going to end up in front of the courts because we have seen in the past where this same garbage issue has ended up in the courts and the council ended up having to pay, nevertheless. So is this where it is going?”

Bernard Wagner

“It may or may not. As I said, we are in discussion with the provider. It may or may not. We have been down this road many times before. We have been in this situation – not only this council, prior councils. It is just a situation that is untenable. The sustainability of this can’t and we need to fix it permanently.”

Duane Moody

“Sir is there any support that can come from central government to maybe even foot the bill that is owed right now?”

Bernard Wagner

“We have had discussion with the government on that and they have indicated to us that something will be coming towards the bill, but we will wait and see.”