New National Security minister tours Calabash base
In December of last year, the Belize National Coast Guard broke ground for the construction of a forward operational base on Calabash Caye. According to Commandant of the Coast Guard, Cedric Borland the base should result in faster response to illegal activity in the area. Today, as part of his familiarization tour of the portfolio, Minister of National Security Carlos Perdomo visited the site.
Cedric Borland, Commandant, Coast Guard
“As you can see, there has been some significant developments. We are coming out of the ground shortly. So progress is taking place for the forward operational base at Calabash Caye. It is going right on schedule. We expect that some time in August, September the building should be completed and we should be occupying this location.”
Kendra Griffith
“The Belize Coast Guard since its inception has been growing significantly and now you all I understand are doing some recruiting.”
Cedric Borland
“That is correct. This is going to be the number one recruit intake for the coast guard we expect to be taking in about thirty men for this recruit intake. That is going to push our strength up significantly from where we were presently at fifty-five, the strength of fifty-five. with Calabash Caye coming on line and with the acquisition of two new fast boats for the coastguard, I can see those men becoming useful for the coast guard.”
Kendra Griffith
“Of what you’ve seen so far, are you pleased with how the different departments are being run?”
Carlos Perdomo, Minister of National Security
“Well not hundred percent pleased, but certainly for some of the departments more pleased than others. There’s a lot of work to do. We have to strengthen our legislation for some departments, we have to plan a little better, we have to look at some elements of corruption, we have to improve our oversight. I am pleased, but not a hundred percent but maybe in a next few years we’ll get even better.”
Perdomo continues his touring next week with a visit to the Hattieville Prison.
