MIDH to Fix and Reinstall Philip Goldson Bust

For the past decade, a bust of one of Belize’s national heroes had been erected at the entrance to the Philip Goldson Highway adjacent to the flag monument roundabout in Belize City.  But on Saturday morning, two vehicles crashed into the Philip Goldson bust, damaging the sculpture itself, as well as the foundation upon which it rested. Police arrived shortly after to process the scene of the incident. Today, the damaged bust was removed from the location and taken over by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Ministry officials have since been in contact with sculptor Stephen Okeke for an estimate to repair the bust so that it can be reinstalled.

Evondale Moody

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“Myself and Minister Espat and C.E.O. Espat we had an internal discussion where we thought that it was important for us to try and see if we could get it repaired. Yes we weren’t the ministry that got it installed, however, it is located at the entrance of the Philip Goldson Highway. We are all aware that Mister Goldson was one of our national heroes and so we thought that it was best – in our internal discussions, as I said, between myself, the minister and the C.E.O. – for us to try and get it repaired. We initiated a team in Belize City to remove it from where it was at the entrance to the city and we took it to our site in Ladyville. And so, we’ve covered it up and have it secured there. I was also initiated discussions with Mister Okeke; I was able to contact him this afternoon and try and open a discussion with him to see if he would be willing to assist us in getting it repaired. He was the sculptor, he was the person that dealt with the sculpture and so we thought it was best for us to liaise with him to get it repaired. So based on my discussions with him, I am expecting to get an update from him on Friday with respect to what it would cost for us to do the repairs and to get it re-established back to its position.”