And before Dr Kenrick Williams became CEO in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, he was a boy growing up on Jasmine Street in the Lake I area. Coming from a single parent home with seven other siblings, he worked his way through primary and high school and then continued to UB and Galen. It's an inspiring story that can hopefully motivate others in similar circumstances.
Dr Williams told us more about his journey from the Southside to CEO.:
Dr Williams was working at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center and as an adjunct teacher at Galen University when he was approached by the Prime Minister to join the Ministry. He told us that the decision was not easy:
On his list of things to do is to develop the human resources of the Ministry. Dr Williams spoke about the National Fire Service, which now falls under his Ministry. As we reported back in September, the Belize City Fire Station was sold to Atlantic Bank for 2.8 million dollars and they had up until December to vacate it.
However, the bank has now extended that time to 6 months, because well, there's just no place for them to go right now.
Additionally, the firefighters work under dire conditions and, as Dr Williams explained, cannot access the basic resources needed to do their job such as a decent fire truck in some stations. His plan for them is to take the National Fire Service from grass to grace.:
Dr Williams also told us that the Fire Station in San Ignacio was also sold without a proper compound for them to relocate to. They are currently operating at the back of the Victor Galvez Stadium
