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 […]
Two point two-eight million dollars were disbursed today for the conservation and protection of natural reserves: Chiquibul, Vaca, Colombia and Bladen Forests. PACT is the donor agency that is contributing toward a larger initiative called the Chiquibul Forest Investment Initiative. Organizations that work in the area such as the Friends for Conservation and Development, received […]
The idea of a thirteenth senator may soon become a reality. This Friday is the deadline for final submissions of documentation by non-governmental organizations to show they are in good standing. Thereafter, the steering committee meets to peruse the list of N.G.O.s that can formally present nominees for the post. And by January, elections will […]
Three years ago, Belize Electricity Limited and the Public Utilities Commission opened a request for proposals for electricity generation of both traditional and renewable energy sources. Following a lengthy and occasionally controversial process of identifying the most viable sources and negotiating with them, B.E.L. and the P.U.C. are now set to sign a number of […]
The World Bank is training entities working in the field of risk assessment for money laundering, terrorism financing, and related crimes to help Belize conduct its first National Risk Assessment. The national Anti-Money Laundering Committee and Financial Intelligence Unit are leading the effort to identify primary money laundering and terrorism financing risks in all areas, […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned home to Belize on Saturday night, following a week-long trip to New York where he met with a team of structuring advisors and lawyers, ahead of a meeting with the Belize Coordinating Committee which represents bondholders. The meeting with Citigroup officials and attorney Lee Buchheit to discuss government’s objectives for […]
Is Attorney General Vanessa Retreage stepping down as Belize’s chief legal officer? It’s a question that will be answered following a discussion during Tuesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting. News Five understands that the fate of the U.D.P. senator, whose ministerial responsibilities also include oversight of the powerful Ministry of Natural Resources, will be contemplated then. Retreage […]
Late this evening, G.O.B. confirmed a story we have been following. Chief Executive Officer David Leacock, who has been the departmental head of the Ministry of Education since 2008, vacates his post at the end of December after tendering his resignation back in September. Leacock verbally notified Minister of Education Patrick Faber of his intention […]
A number of issues came up at Friday’s House meeting, which we didn’t cover because of time constraints. In addition to a supplementary appropriation bill, the Government for the third time this year brought amendments to the Treasury Bill Act, in this case juggling the amounts it can raise from the Central Bank. The plan […]
