Last Thursday, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry went to pains to announce that as a member of the National Environmental Appraisal Committee, they did not vote against the Waterloo project. This is after news reports that the vote against Waterloo was a unanimous "NO."
In a press release, the Chamber said, quote, "BCCI voted in favor of the project, which meant that NEAC's decision was not unanimous."
The BCCI's representative was unable to attend the meeting due to extenuating circumstances…the Chamber voted in favor of the expansion and improvement of the port." End quote.
But, is that really the truth or just spin? In a press release sent this afternoon, the Department of Environment took issue with their position.
That DOE's statement says, quote, "The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations regulates the EIA process and does not provide for any of its members, including the BCCI Representative or alternate, to participate and vote without attending the meeting. There was no virtual or remote participation allowed at the November 24, 2022, meeting of the NEAC...consequently, it is not correct for the BCCI to state that it voted as part of its membership of NEAC." End quote.
This evening, we contacted the Chamber for comment. Their president, Marcello Blake, told us that the BCCI is gathering all info. They intend to make a statement after collating all relevant details.
