Aside from the bill to amend the Business Tax Act to increase taxes on telecoms and the PICs, which were the big items at last Friday’s House meeting, several other bills were introduced, including one to amend the Belize National AIDS Commission Act. This change would make way for the appointment of an Executive Director […]
As Pickstock representative, Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington teamed up with Telemedia to repair and renovate the Lloyd Coffin Preschool on Mahogany Street. On Saturday, staff members of the Telemedia and the Pickstock community including the Pickstock Development Committee convened at the school to begin the work. The two groups worked hand in hand with the painting, […]
Barrow also took the opportunity to respond to comments made by the Telecom about the effects that the increase would have on the company. According to the P.M., Telemedia’s stance that the additional tax will squeeze their operating margins and make them have to cut back in their expenses just doesn’t add up. Prime Minister […]
That was what the Prime Minister said in the House, but for Telemedia, not so since the telephone company is already heavily taxed, in fact the highest in this region and the increase in tax from nineteen percent to twenty-four point five percent in gross revenue, is bound to have crippling effects. Disputing what the […]
And turning to the courts, Justice Samuel Awich has reserved ruling for next Friday in a case between David and Tony Novelo and their company National Transportation Services Limited against Chief Transport Officer, Candelaria Zaldivar and the Transport Board. The Novelo brothers, through their attorney, Lisa Shoman, are seeking permission for judicial review of the […]
The Salvation Army is known for its work in humanitarian works and every year at this time, it launches the well known Kettle Drive which helps to provide toys and a Christmas meal to deserving citizens. Regional Commander of the Salvation Army Belize, Major Errol Robateau says the drive is all about sharing. Major Errol […]
Scotiabank has teamed up with the Inter-American Investment Corporation, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group to help businesses streamline costs and become more efficient with the energy that they use. The IIC and the bank held an energy efficiency conference today attended by a wide cross section of businessmen and individuals who wanted […]
The Constitution requires the Auditor General to watch over the public purse. But the last time a Report from the Auditor General was tabled in Parliament was way back in 1999 and previous to that was a 1989 Report. So tomorrow when the House convenes in Belmopan, the Auditor General, trying to regain relevance, will […]
It is not only rice farmers that are complaining, they are joined by the Belize Electricity Limited that is saying it is broke. In the fight between the two elephants the utility company says that the Public Utilities Commission retroactively applied charges against it amounting to near thirty-six million dollars which has caused a cash […]
The Ministry of Transport’s rescheduling and zoning of the commercial bus industry was supposed to alleviate the problem of overcrowding. But as we found out yesterday morning, exactly three weeks after the new system was implemented, overcrowding is still a problem. A News Five team took to the Northern Highway between seven and eight-thirty yesterday […]
And still on the firings, Public Service Union President, Jacqueline Willoughby Sanchez, says that her union believes the firings of four employees at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority are unjust. Will the P.S.U. join in next weeks protest organized by the P.U.P.? That is what we asked Sanchez late this evening. Jacqueline Willoughby Sanchez, President, […]
The Public Utility Commission made good on its promise and has issued its Compliance Order to B.E.L. The document was served on the electricity company on Tuesday and today the P.U.C. made the document public. The order outlines that Belize Electricity Limited must provide services requiring no installation of poles, but extension of the distribution […]
Authorities are often accused of abusing the use of taser guns to torture prisoners or detainees by applying it to sensitive body parts. And today the Belize Police Department announced that it has acquired a number of tasers but that their use will be closely monitored. What’s more, there will be strict accountability. And to […]
Also in the south, workers at the Citrus Products of Belize can now enjoy the benefits of an HIV/AIDS workplace policy. The document was signed last Tuesday by C.P.B.L. Chief Executive Officer Henry Canton, along with Union Representative Robert Palon and Labour Department Rep., Hertha Gentle. According to a Press Office release, the citrus company […]
On Friday it is expected that government will introduce a bill to amend the Income and Business Tax Act to increase the tax on telephone companies from nineteen percent to twenty-five percent. That move caught Telemedia by surprise and today four managers sent a letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow asking for an audience to […]
Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Commission will serve its order of compliance on another utility company, Belize Electricity Limited, on Tuesday. The order was scheduled to be served on Friday, but was delayed when B.E.L. applied to the Supreme Court for an injunction. The utility asked that the P.U.C. be prevented from issuing the order until […]
Three weeks ago there was just too much water when the flood swept through the western part of the country causing the death of three persons and millions of dollars in damages. But today in Buena Vista Village in Cayo, the problem is not too much water but a shortage of it. A News Five […]
The Guatemalan claim to Belize is not the only hot button issue on Attorney General Wilfred Elrington’s table. The A.G. is in the process of seeking legal advice on a resolution he received from the Bar Association. The Bar is asking Elrington to force Supreme Court Justices who have outstanding reserved judgments to deliver them […]
With recovery efforts still underway, the Belize Bank today handed over ten thousand dollars to the Belize Red Cross to assist flood victims of tropical depression sixteen. The contribution will be used to purchase cleaning supplies, baby items and canned goods for affected persons in the Cayo and Orange Districts as well as the Belize […]
In last night’s evening newscast we reported that prices for gas at the fuel pump has decreased to lows not seen not seen in years. Diesel is now at six dollars and ninety-six cents a gallon, premium at seven-forty-one a gallon and regular at seven dollars and five cents a gallon. It is good news […]
If your garbage has been piling up, it isn’t because you were late in putting it outside, but it is because Belize Waste Control Limited has not been collecting garbage because they say the Belize City Council owes them for four weeks… so they have just stopped working until they get paid. But according to […]
A utility and regulator that have not been getting along well of late are the Public Utilities Commission and Belize Electricity Limited. For months, the two have been engaged in a public battle over rates. In the latest round, the P.U.C. has put B.E.L. on notice that on Friday it will issue an order to […]
Throughout the years we’ve reported countless allegations of police abuse. But tonight a Belize City youth is saying that he is being harassed by those who’ve sworn to protect him. The latest incident, says Richard White and his mother Evadney Scott, occurred this morning as White was returning home after purchasing groceries. White says he […]
If you are a single mother looking for an opportunity to learn a skill or trade, there is good news for you. The Women’s Department through the Ministry for Social Transformation is assisting single mothers to generate income. The department is offering a job placement program called “Supporting Single Mothers in Belize City”. Through consultation […]
The Government has been at odds with Telemedia since the U.D.P. administration took office in February 2008. Top among the issues, is an accommodation agreement between the government and the utility company signed in 2005. Telemedia contends that the agreement, which had provisions for a fifteen percent rate of return, is valid. Prime Minister Dean […]
