Amnesty Program extended

In Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting it was announced that the government’s Amnesty Program, which was scheduled to end tomorrow, will be extended until the 30th. Over 13 thousand applications have been received at amnesty centers so far. Although no date was given for its establishment, the Ministry of Public Utilities will be presenting a bill for the creation of a Public Utilities Commission. Such a body would be responsible for the appeals, controls and monitoring of licensing to service providers, rates, standards and quality of service. Controls will also be established for agricultural exports. At the next sitting of the House the Belize Agricultural Health Authority Bill will be presented. The bill will address the needs of the export market by improving quality control for animal and plant products, upgrade quarantine procedures and enforcement. Diagnostic laboratory facilities have been established to detect plant and animal diseases. Improving the sugar cane industry is also a priority as Cabinet reviewed the findings of the Sugar Industry Task Force established in November. Recommendations include the establishment of a Sugar Cane License and estimating agency, a research and extension institute and a cane quality agency. The task force sees the need for cane trans-loading and collection points for more efficient transportation and the strengthening of the Belize Sugar Cane Board. Under the Ministry of Education 13 professional and technical scholarships have been awarded for the University of the West Indies starting in September. Fields of study will range from economics to construction management.