N.T.U.C.B. joins Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage
audrey matura shephard
The Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage, has been making its rounds not only on San Pedro, but also on Caye Caulker. While it got the nod from an important ally, Mayor Elsa Paz, it has also now received the backing of a group that has the power not only to influence legislation but is known rally support in the rank and file of the unions. That’s right the National Trade Union Congress of Belize the umbrella organization for all unions, including the Belize National Teachers Union and the Christian Workers, has now joined the coalition. Audrey Matura Shepherd, Oceana’s Vice President for Belize as well as the coalition’s co-founder, told News Five this afternoon about the momentum and consultation process that is moving across the country.
Audrey Matura Shepherd, Vice President, OCEANA Belize
“The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage has been very successful in its consultations. We did our first one in Caye Caulker and of course we had a little set back because ironically, the only place that had blackout was the very block that we went to have our meeting. But that didn’t stop us. We moved on to the park and there it was better and more people as they passed stopped in and participated. That went very well. Then we were invited to meet with the unions; National Trade Union Congress and we presented to them and they wanted to know how we can work together to bring about change. We have since learned that they are onboard and they will be issuing their own statement on that issue.”
Jose Sanchez
“Well, that’s really big news; the government cannot ignore the voice of the unions.”
Audrey Matura Shepherd
“Yes and they’re very proactive. They bring their own plans and they want to mobilize the entire country. So we know the coalition will need to move around more and educate more. We told them we are open to any invitation to any specific union anywhere in the country, we will go. Then after that we went to San Pedro yesterday evening and that was excellent as well. When I went to San Pedro they understand their people better. So although we had a packed conference room, they also aired it live on Reef Radio and then they vide taped it and they’re running it over and over again on Coral Cable TV. And then this morning we did a show on Reef Radio and while on Reef Radio explaining strictly to people what are the facts and reading to them straight out of the documents and the legislation and explaining to them we were not taking calls but then there was a call that came in that was from the Mayor of San Pedro, Mayor Paz, and she said categorically that she and her council cannot support offshore drilling because that’s the mainstay; tourism is the mainstay of their community. So we were very much elated but she was just sounding the very response from everyone we spoke to in San Pedro. Same thing in Caye Caulker; everyone, the citizenship, the local people from even the foreign investors are saying no, we cannot afford to have this in these communities.”
Matura Shepherd says the next consultations will take place in Placencia and Punta Gorda. Next week, the coalition will also meet with business persons from the Rotary Club.
