Inside the Senate Committee meeting, much of the discussion in the morning session was taken up with going over the requirements to issue visas, which the Department seemed to treat as step one in the accelerated process to becoming, illegally, a Belizean citizen. Apart from the usual requirements, matters of security and finance were on […]
The auditors noted in the course of their report that twenty-five thousand defective visas bought from Three-M Company in the U.S. were replaced at a cost of more than fifty thousand Belize dollars, and the originals were destroyed before they could get to them. As part of their investigation of the cash and stock on […]
The Belize Association of General Managers of Pre and Primary Schools says that classes will resume on January third, 2017, contrary to what the Belize National Teachers Union stated on Monday. In a letter written by the association’s Vice Chair Denise Lamb, she says that managers unanimously agreed to have schools reopen six days earlier […]
When the teachers went on an eleven-day strike in October, they had put together a list of eight demands, called the good governance agenda. One of the demands was the contracting of an international expert to investigate the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in July. Lucas’ head was found in a bucket in the pan […]
Now back to the senate…Three meetings of the Committee are now complete and some are wondering why the Committee is taking its time and moving so cautiously in relation to questioning the Audit Department. Today Senators spent some time questioning the visa process and how it related to whether visas issued to persons who later […]
Despite initial cynical comments, some from those inside the process, that the Committee’s inquiry will amount to naught, the Committee is expected to produce a report on the testimony of those it calls and make recommendations as to how to proceed with cleaning up the Immigration Department. Two things some expected to see within that […]
Outgoing Minister of Lands Vanessa Retreage clears her desk on December thirty-first, not before completing a list of tasks which include apprising the media on the controversial Ron J Limited land transaction in which an agreement was signed to compensate Ron J a million dollars for land in Placencia which the company acquired for six […]
As far as investigation into the questionable transactions involving land acquired by the Vega family in Carmelita, PM Barrow says that if the facts are indeed accurate, as presented by Lake I Area Representative Cordel Hyde last Friday in the House, then it should be reproved altogether. He also likened that land grab to similar […]
The Opposition People’s United Party has accused the government of completely losing control of the Ministry of Natural Resources, and calls for an immediate independent audit of the powerful Ministry. In a press release the P.U.P. describes the explanation of Minister Vanessa Retreage’s departure “bizarre”, considering that she was only given that portfolio four months […]
The Sarstoon Protocol continues to hang in the air. Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington says there’s been some incremental gains in dialogue, but he wouldn’t share much more on where those conversations are headed. Elrington maintains that Belize is very clear as it relates to what we want out of the Sarstoon Protocol, but it is […]
There is a small list of persons countrywide who are Commissioners of the Supreme Court. But today, following a rigorous selection process including background checks and a test, over a dozen persons were chosen to serve the public. According to Section Fifteen of the Judicature, commissioners are authorized to receive affidavits and declarations or examine […]
Over the past two years we have been sharing with you the creative talents of primary school students through the Primary School Art Skills Training project. It started with teaching the basics of drawing, painting and other art skills and it has developed into a full-fledged program where students are participating internationally for awards and […]
How sustainable and environmentally sound is the process of developing tourism and industry projects, such as offshore drilling? Well, an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, which started in 2015, is looking at that. Earlier this year, the Spanish firm Limia and Martin was hired to […]
But to mitigate negative impacts is to identify alternative actions or technologies. According to Martin, one of his main recommendations is for the strengthening of the current legislation, making it more efficient for developers and other stakeholders. Emmanuel Martin, General Manager, Limia & Martin “The current schedules that define which projects needs to do […]
The average life expectancy for a female in Belize is around seventy-three according to the 2015 World Health Organization stats. There are several people who have defied those numbers and over the years we have shown you several of their stories, particularly those who make it to a hundred years old. And tonight we will […]
On Monday night broke the news that Vanessa Retreage was stepping down from Cabinet. This afternoon, Prime Minister Dean Barrow hosted a press conference confirming our report that Attorney General and Minister of Natural Resources Vanessa Retreage was calling it quits from her senatorial and ministerial posts effective the end of December. Retreage says she […]
So, a year after assuming responsibility for Attorney General and four months after becoming the Minister of Natural Resources, Retreage goes back to her law firm Reyes and Retreage where she says she has standing commitments. Today, she was gracious in thanking the staff at the Ministry of Natural Resources, as well as those the […]
There has been speculation that Retreage’s resignation comes on the heels of a death threat she received via email sometime a few weeks ago. The outgoing Attorney General said that while her personal security was stepped up in the wake of the threat, the Central Information Technology Office in Belmopan was critical in tracking down […]
In addition to the Attorney General’s resignation and the appointment of her successor, the most important piece of news coming out of the press conference was the Prime Minister’s assumption of the Ministry of Natural Resources. While he will not oversee the daily functions of the Lands Department, PM Barrow has taken on the second […]
A successor for House Speaker Michael Peyrefitte has been proposed, but will be made official at the next sitting of the House of Representatives. That person is retired nurse Laura Longsworth who is well-known for her activism in cancer and HIV/AIDS awareness. Peyrefitte takes over on January first. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “I think […]
Last week News Five dropped a bombshell that continues to wag tongues. In the span of five years, one thousand, six hundred acres of prime farmland along the Philip Goldson Highway in the village of Carmelita, Orange Walk District, was gobbled up by members of the powerful Vega family and their company, German Vega and […]
The land flip has raised eyebrows, particularly in parliament where Hyde made his presentation. When asked if she was aware of the situation, Minister of Natural Resources Vanessa Retreage told the media today that she only became aware of it when Hyde gave an interview to the media last week, ahead of Friday’s House meeting. […]
When asked about the dubious transactions, the incoming Minister of Natural Resources firmly stated that his administration is prepared to accept that there may be instances of wrongdoing in government but that there are consequences for such actions. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “We are prepared to accept what is wrong and we are prepared […]
One of the more unwelcome Christmas-time “traditions,” at least here in Belize City, is the letting off what is colloquially known as “popshot” or “dynamite” – not to be confused with the much more dangerous commercial explosive. However, these too are explosive devices, and thus governed by the Dangerous Goods Act which prohibits their possession […]
Two police constables from the Eastern Division North were recognized with awards as “Officers of the Month of October” this morning at the Queen Street Police Station. Jerome Middleton of Precinct Three and Nelson Ramos of the San Pedro Police were presented with awards from their Officers Commanding and Regional Commander, as well as with […]
