Poor condition of streets in Belama
The much publicized poverty alleviation project does not stretch to the north side of the City, but that does not mean that poverty does not plague this side of the Old Capital. Far from it, if you go through Belama Phase Three, you can still find the infamous London Bridges that are prevalent in backyards. And where there are streets, a dory would be the best vehicle for getting around. News Five’s Delahnie Bain reports.
Delahnie Bain, Reporting
Pot holes and drainage problems can be found in almost every part of Belize City. But in one area of Belama Phase Three, the situation has been ignored for so long that the streets have been replaced by large craters that have filled up and now resemble rivers. The area has been constantly flooded for six years—even in the dry season. That’s what we’re told by residents who have lived in area for over a decade.
Hugh Bodden, Belama Phase 3 Resident
hugh bodden
“They got to fix the place. They wanna charge you tax and we can’t use the street. They have to do something about this because this is six years now.”
Delahnie Bain
“So whenever it rains it gets like this? Does it even go down?”
Hugh Bodden
“This stay so fi di past six years just like dis.”
Delahnie Bain
“What happens in the event of storms and so on when we have that heavy rain? What’s back here like.”
Hugh Bodden
“Well, back here is like a river, we gotta use boat.”
It’s become the norm for both adults and children to tread through the filthy waters, which raises health concerns.
Hugh Bodden
“They have to walk through it, they gotta deal with it. As yoh si mi right now I full ah cold, I have the flu.”
Delahnie Bain
“And that includes kids as well.”
Hugh Bodden
“As well, everybody have to face the music.”
ezekiel mckenzie
Ezekiel McKenzie, Belama Phase 3 Resident
“It’s terrible cause going to school it’s hard. Yoh have to tek off yoh tennis when ih rain or flood. Yoh ketch itch and thing pan yoh foot.”
Delahnie Bain
“So when di water gets high you have to walk through it?”
Ezekiel McKenzie
“Yeah, nothing else fi do.”
Delahnie Bain
“And that’s what everyone else has to do?”
Ezekiel McKenzie
“Yeah, if yoh noh got boots dah dat yoh have to do.”
Delahnie Bain
“And what do you do when—like when we had the Tropical Storm and so and we had those heavy rains, what did you do then?”
Ezekiel McKenzie
“I gone up di road gone stay cause I can’t handle dat.”
According to the residents, they have sought the assistance of the City Council, but to no avail. Bodden says they were also promised that the problem would was to be dealt with after serious flooding in 2008.
Hugh Bodden
“A year and a half ago I had led the prime minister and Mr. Benny’s through here when it was flooded and they told me that they were going to fix the area. They went on radio and on the news and they say that they will put one point five million dollars to fix the back here but what they do, they go to Belama Phase Four to fix back there. I personally approached the City Council once in 2009. I asked them to come and fix the street here and they told me I am a PUP so they’re not going to fix the street. Straight I di tell yoh.”
Ezekiel McKenzie
“I would ah like fi si dehn help we out, fill up di street dehn and thing, dig some drain and mek some better drainage, put wah culvert and thing fi mek di river flow through.”
Hugh Bodden
“As I told City Council, we need a culvert cross di street because dat is a creek. Over there is a creek between those posts over there. But they don’t want to put a culvert across the street, they want to put it side way the street and it can’t work.”
As we left the area, we noticed repairs being done on a connecting street, which also had a crater-like pothole in the middle, but was in better condition. But the residents in the area of George Arthurs Street continue to wait for the workers to head their way. Delahnie Bain for News Five.
One of the things that I could never understand is why do people prefer to live in certain conditions for years and years, instead of forming a group in your own community to help solving some of the minor problems such as this one until proper help is available from the GOB.
I see these people playing victims, and the truth is that they are just lazy.
Start digging.
I feel so sorry for the residents of Belama, not only will schoolchildren threading through dirty stinking water catch colds, but also suffer itchings and sores on their feet.
Present and past governments just don’t seem to care and ignore these issues.
Also I’d like to know. with all the murders on September 10th where have all the deceased been buried ? I am just concerned after hearing the “only twelve grave spaces left” issue about Lord Ridge Cemetery.
Belizean abroad. Maria M.
WHAT… WILL… BE… THE… INFRASTRUCTURE… LEGACY… OF… THE… BARROW ADMINISTRATION?????
Seems like everything in belize coming down to political affiliation. So when the kids get sick n can’t go to school they can tell Mr Faber its because their parents r PUP. This is absolutely ridiculous. Then u b*… abt the people not showing support.
The people of the area should stop ….., waiting and sitting around on their lazy ……
Must be easier for them to watch their poor kids thread through mud, and water, risked their health in order to get to the other side.
You have options for this solution Belama people, and one option is to start digging drains.
earl gray legacy legacy well the only legacy from this gov. will be worse gov. in the history of belize past and present periodddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.
@ maddyvandijk…u say it like its so easy…don’t you think maybe ppl dont have the time to do such things?…do u not think about what is in the water?…why shud these ppl be the ones to do the work when a specific minister is assigned to do such work?…don’y you think maybe they don’t have the necessary equipment to do such work? And maybe they don’t even have the money to buy it. I personally feel that this is a case of victimization…because as u can see on the news other ministry of works dump trucks are in the area doing amendments to d diff pot holes…BUT this area that is clearly the worst of all is completely neglected.
MADDYVANDIJK/SURREALIST…………….. IS AN IDIOT…… plain and simple,
CONTRIBUTING NOTHING BUT …………….. MINDLESS DRIVEL.
Where were the City Planners & Civil Engineers when the Government decided to develop this area?
We have trekked our way through filthy water in Belize for years & most of us know that in the older parts of the city that was the result of poor planning & the fact that portions of the country was at or below sea level.
It is the Developers & Government’s job to design & build roads & other infrastructure to ensure the health & welfare of the residents, that’s why people pay taxes. If this area is on a flood plane, it should have been converted to a reserve if there was not enough money to provide adequate drainage but since it now a residential community; drains, culverts & even pumps may be necessary to keep the water out of the streets in addition to raising the street level above the known flood stage which will increase the drain depth but it will aid run off & slow the spread of disease. .
They should stop these 1950’s behavior, and start helping the citizens with whatever problems they are experiencing in the country. Stop with this “PUP” and “UDP” bull***.
BELAMA NEEDS DRAINS LIKE THEY HAVE IN BELMOPAN.
It is sad to hear this. Amazing that in 2010 Belize still having so many issues. I think people need to stop focusing so much of political party affliations and work together with the government to improve the country. I agree that people should become more involved in their communities, because remember, no one will care more than you, when it comes to you. The government is appointed by the people, not to fill thier own pockets and pick and choose who they will help, but for ALL the people of Belize. So as much as we would like to point the finger and blame everyone, I say take action. Most people think one person cannot make a difference, but they can, look at Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstien, Susan Anthony, Rosa Parks and so many more. These people are ordinary people just like you and I, ordinary people who refuse to be passive and dormat. Sometimes we just have to make our own inspirations if we cannot find it in those who were meant to give it. I know Belize has so many issues, corruptions, crime, victimization, and list goes one, but so does everywhere else, just have to stand up and make a change and only the people of Belize can do that.
“Poor condition of streets in Belama ” ha!
come to Cayo District you will see Poor condition of streets. Yes, I said Cayo District because I mean the entire District.
I once did a 6 months course in the US and stayed with a grandaunt. She and her neighbors kept their neighborhood clean DESPITE the fact the the US govt has some well paid public servants to do the job. It maintains a certain standard in your community, hence preventing your property from being devalued. No one wants to live in a dirty, run down neighborhood.
In that aspect I agree with Maddy and certainly we don’t have to wait for the rains to repair the drains. My aunt and her neighbors work and pay their taxes, but they don’t mind giving a little to the upkeep of their community. Lets do what we can as a society and focus on the bigger issues affecting this country. For crying out loud, I see worse streets on the south side of Belize city!
proud cityguy, I went back to Belize last December on vacation, and where we stayed had the same problem, people too darn lazy to solve the problems around them. It was none of our business, but we formed a team with some of the villagers and soon we dug out the drains to relieve the water that was knee high in the community. The lazy …… watched their children walked through the filthy water for years, and did nothing to help the problem, yet they think they have the right to ….. People are there community; come together and solve problems, instead of …… all the time.
YES, IT IS AS EASY AS THAT PEOPLE.
“EARLGREYDEUGLYLITTLEMONEY” SHOULD take HIS TEAM FROM THE SLUMS OF the CITY TO Belama to HELP DIG DRAINS, SINCE YOU WOULD KNOW ALL ABOUT FILTH.
MADDYVANDIJK/DEREALIST/DEPUNISHER_ YAY!
About time someone sees the truth, people in Belize City LAZY! They work and spend all them money and no think about tomorrow. When emergency come they come on newscast begging and running to politians who love giving money away. They cry that their houses are falling apart! They could save wa li $20.00 each week and buy wook to replace or rebuild!!!
Newscast should not make a bigthing about people people of Belize City! they should showcase the poor hardworking people who want to move ahead and not stay stagnant like the waters in Belama!!!!
LARO, we both see eye to eye on this serious issue plaguing Belizeans and their quality of life. Laziness is the number one cause of poverty in Belize, and yet everyone gets offended when the truth is point out in their darn faces, but so be it, as far as I am darn concern.
I have seen houses in Belize not fit for human beings, and saw big healthy men sitting on balconies smoking and just accepting that kind of situation. This is illegal in my book.
“You are what you do”:
If your choice is to do nothing about your situation don’t expect any darn sympathy or respect.
Start digging people, and I don’t care if you have to use your hands and feet.
I agree with MADDYVANDIJK/DEREALIS/DEPUNISHER
For God sake, the government has no pity for your children but it’s more shameful you don’t for your own. Start digging, so many men there I bet, prove belizeans are not damn lazy.