Is Floralia Limited enjoying special privileges from the Government of Belize to put them at an advantage in the public transport industry? Things are heating up within the industry as G.O.B.’s demands for upgraded buses become more pressing. Questions and concerns have always been surrounding Floralia Limited’s entry into the sector and whether they have […]
We reached out to Marvin Vanzie for comments, and he informed us that he was not available for an interview with us at that time. He, however, sent a written statement saying “concerning taxation, Floralia paid G.S.T. and environmental taxes in full, which all Belizeans are obligated to pay. However, there was a reduction in […]
We also spoke with the President of the Belize Bus Association about the new standards for public transportation that were made public today via a Government Press Office release. The release notes that road service permits will be approved for three different types of buses. Type A will be issued to premier services with buses […]
It was day two of shorts in protest of shortages at the hospital. The K.H.M.H. workers once again showed up to work wearing casual clothing. President of the K.H.M.H. Workers Union, Andrew Baird, called the media this morning to explain why. News Five’s Marion Ali was there and files this report. Marion Ali, Reporting […]
As we just reported, the C.E.O. of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Chandra Nisbet-Cansino, said that she informed the K.H.M.H Workers’ Union President, Andrew Baird, that the letters served to union members regarding their dress code won’t be placed on their official records. This evening, she explained that information may not have reached all heads […]
One of the points of contention between the Hospital Authority and their Workers Union is that there continue to be severe shortages of medicines, supplies, and equipment in the hospital. And when the K.H.M.H. Workers Union circulated their press release on the shortages over a week ago, Cansino responded a few days later that supplies […]
The Ministry of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform and Religious Affairs, through its good governance unit, concluded a corruption survey in several departments where there have been multiple and sustained reports of alleged bribery and corruption. We’ll get to that next. First, we asked C.E.O. Rolando Zetina about the case of alleged corruption taking […]
Now to the survey…among those departments studied were the immigration department, the vital statistics unit and the lands department, notoriously referred to as a “hot bed of corruption” by former Prime Minister Dean Barrow. C.E.O. Rolando Zetina shares some of the findings of the survey. Rolando Zetina, C.E.O., Ministry of Public Service “Recently we […]
Where are we with the implementation of UNCAC legislation? The previous administration signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Today, the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Public Service, Rolando Zetina, gave an update indicating that conversations are ongoing. He also said that experts will visit the country in the months ahead to review where Belize […]
On Wednesday, the union leaders called for the Government to legislate the Whistleblower’s Act. This would allow public officers to expose – without fear of victimization – any act of corruption by politicians and any senior government officials. The C.E.O. of the Ministry of Public Service confirmed that that bill was tabled, but that was […]
Today at Dream Valley Resort in Teakettle Village, Cayo District, an integrity innovation training commenced for public officers. It builds the capacity of the participants to provide training for others within the public sector, namely the clerical promotional program, the secretarial promotional program, and the professional development program that includes a mandatory good governance module. […]
The Annual Gian Ghandi Memorial Lecture was held today, with several key speakers presenting on topics of national importance. The first presenter was a lecturer at the University of Belize, Melanie Smith. Smith spoke about talent migration and development. Talent migrants are people who are seeking better opportunities outside their countries of origin, ready to […]
At the core of migration issues is the International Office of Migration, which has offices across the globe. In Belize, the I.O.M. office is headed by Diana Locke. She shared with the audience the role of the I.O.M. and migration in Belize. Diana Locke, Head, I.O.M, Belize “You have seen where there are so […]
Jacob Leslie, the President of the Belize Basketball Federation and Co-Owner of the Belize City Defenders, has been in the middle of the controversy in the Belize Elite Basketball League (B.E.B.L.). Leslie’s team, the Belize City Defenders, and the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes have been clashing off the court over the signing of one player on […]
According to Leslie, he did not want to come out publicly to defend his name. But, he says all attempts to get Smith to remove the social media post and issue an apology have been futile. Up to the time of this interview, the post remained on social media. He says taking legal action would […]
Earlier today, Romeo Escobar, the President of the Miss Universe Belize Organization, announced the withdrawal of the Miss Universe franchise. The decision comes on the heels of changes being made by the new owners of the Miss Universe Organization, the JKN Global Group. Among the new implementations of its business model, the JKN Global Group […]
Tonight, fire officials are investigating how a fire in Orange Walk Town burned down an elderly woman’s house early this morning. However, even before those findings are out, the allegation is that it was her mentally challenged grandson who did it. Tonight the elderly citizen, sixty-one-year-old Bernadette Allen, is distraught. She saved nothing when her […]
This morning at the Forty-fourth Caricom Heads of Government Meeting in Nassau, Bahamas, the leaders of member states met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian leader was one of the special guests at the meeting. The Prime Minister of Canada shared his commitment to strengthening ties with the Caribbean following discussions with CARICOM heads. […]
You may be seeing two additional meat options added to menus soon. At least, that’s the goal of the Ministry of Agriculture. In collaboration with the Taiwan I.C.D.F. Sheep Project Phase II, the Ministry held a “Lamb and Mutton Culinary Craft Workshop” in Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk. Today’s workshop was organized in an effort […]
Through the efforts of the World Pediatric Project, Belize office, children and babies who are struggling with orthopedic issues are this week receiving the medical attention they need. The Orthopedic Surgery Mission has treated nearly seventy children, and many require surgery that would not be possible without their expertise. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with […]
Studies have found that coconut water is a rich source of nutrients. It contains antioxidants, helps to lower blood sugar, and it may even support heart health, among other health benefits. Over two decades ago, one farmer took to the streets of Belize City to sell coconut water to pedestrians. He was the first to […]
