Buses to face new regulations
Bus companies will be forced to make some serious changes following several decisions made in Cabinet today. The office of the Prime Minister says that a statutory instrument has been approved for the more efficient operation of the public transport system and to improve public safety. Among the provisions are the requirement that bus companies have fixed colors and designs registered with the department of Transport. The only buses which will be allowed to be painted yellow are those which carry children to school. It will also be unlawful for buses to stop along the highways except at locations designated by the Transport Department.
Under the Ministry of Rural Development small communities in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts may soon get an improved water supply. Government will rehabilitate two well rigs to dig water wells in these areas. Government will also establish the Toledo Development Corporation.
In the Ministry of Economic Development, the Central Bank will now allow Belizeans who have been living abroad for five years or more to operate bank accounts in Belize using foreign currency. According to Cabinet this would improve the foreign currency supply that the Central Bank of Belize has for distribution. Cabinet also agreed to give the Comptroller of Customs more power in seeking out offenders of the Customs Regulation Act. The Comptroller may employ agents to do on site physical checks of business records or goods and do sting operations which could lead to prosecution of persons found committing customs offenses.
The Princess Royal Youth Hostel will be relocated to mile twenty-one and a half on the Western Highway at the site of the Belize Youth Development Center. The facility will be renovated to provide dormitories for female trainers and girls. The new facility will offer lessons in woodworking, plumbing, welding, mechanics and family life education. Cabinet also decided that an amendment to the Families and Children’s Act would be presented at the next sitting of the House of Representatives, which proposes to make the National Committee for Families and Children a statutory body which would advocate positive legislation for families and children.
In other government news, although Belize experienced minor damage during Hurricane Mitch, the government of Spain is including us in its support program for countries affected by the storm. The government of Belize announced today the Spanish government will forgive one hundred percent of Belize’s principal and interest payments on its loan for the Karl Heusner Memorial over the next three years. The payments for this period would total almost three million dollars. Belize received a loan from Spain in 1994 for five million, nine thousand dollars. The government says the amount, which will be owed to Spain in 2001, will be approximately two million, seven hundred and twenty eight thousand dollars.
In related news, following concerns during the Hurricane Mitch threat that some of the schools and buildings designated as shelters were not up to standard, the government has engaged consultants to survey all emergency shelters to evaluate their suitability. The government is asking for the managers of these facilities to cooperate with the consultants by allowing them access to the buildings while they carry out their work over the next thirteen weeks.
