It cost $600,000, took about a year to construct, and it was more than three decades in the making.
And finally today Belmopan City got its long overdue new central market. Complete with 27 stalls and boasting more space than the old one, which was built back in 1968, the market was opened this morning by Prime Minister Hon. Said Musa.
Musa said a market is more than just a building.
Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"A market is a place where we meet, eat, and greet. For me this Belmopan market has been a place for me to stay in touch with what reverend call the common people. Years ago when I was much much younger I used to go the Belize City market and that too was a ramshackled disheveled building. I used to go there at 5:30 in the morning because at that time you get all the fresh news. See it's also a place to get the news that is before we had talk radio. But we are not getting the news on talk radio, we are getting blaming this and blaming that and you know what I mean. But the market is where you get the news; not just who died yesterday but who was born yesterday, who got married yesterday. Who got married a few days ago, eh Minister Coye?"
"So my friends, the market is really the place where we meet as a Belizean people no matter your status, your position, or anything. We are all the same we are all equal and I certainly have enjoyed the food here at the Belmopan Market. I hope I will still be able to get my meat pies from Ms. Elma, I understand she still has her stall over there. And I hope I will be able to get my nice rice and beans too whether it be with chicken, gibnut or deer you can get it all here at the Belmopan City Market."
At this morning's opening, a 'friendship plaza' plaque was unveiled at the market. The Belmopan market was designed by Luis Ruiz and constructed by JEBCO.
This morning Clifton Hall was also sworn in as the garden city's new deputy mayor.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift