B.T.I.A. tells PM to fix up Orange Walk Streets

In November, near the end of an unusually prolonged and intense rainy season, Prime Minister Dean Barrow presented what he called a muscular plan, a plan on steroids. It was a seventy-six million dollar infusion of cash to address the deplorable conditions of the national road network. One of those deplorable stretches is the Phillip Goldson Highway from one end to the other of Orange Walk Town. But the rainy season is here again and the road has not been touched. That’s caused an outpouring of outrage from Orange Walk residents who have lit up the social media network, but today the Belize Tourism Industry Association in Orange Walk went one step further. In a letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the B.T.I.A. Orange Walk Chapter expresses its disappointment and frustration. The letter states, “It is a disgrace to see what our streets have become, particularly the Phillip SW Goldson Highway which consists of Belize Corozal Road, Queen Victoria Avenue and Otro Benque Road. Presently people are avoiding passing through Orange Walk while on their way to Corozal or Chetumal. This has affected several businesses – from the local vegetable and fruit stall vendors to the local restaurants and supermarkets. Everyone is being affected.” The B.T.I.A. tells the PM that the majority of streets in Orange Walk need attention, stating that “the B.T.I.A. Orange Walk Chapter represents the needs and aspirations of tourism stakeholders, and markets the tourism product in the Orange Walk district. How can B.T.I.A. Orange Walk Chapter keep to its vision in promoting responsible economic and tourism development in Orange Walk when basic street infrastructure is being ignored and neglected?” The letter to the PM ends with the information that a petition drive will be organized to show the discontent of Orange Walkeños.