The 25th anniversary of independence, it's a grand affair and the official ceremonies were scheduled to be held in the capital city on the 21st. But because of back and forth beef between City Hall and Central Government that has changed. Chairman of the September Celebrations Committee Minister of Tourism Godfrey Smith today told us that it's being brought back to Belize City, because this is the population center of the country and more than that, the Belize City Council simply cannot do justice to the celebration.
Hon. Godfrey Smith, Chairman of Celebrations Committee
"It is the twenty fifth anniversary and we want to take it back to where the ceremonies took place back in 1981 in the same way that the street bram is being taken back to Albert and Regent Street. However there is another school of thought and I must say I am persuaded by that yes it is good to be in Belmopan but we believe it will be more of an event if it is in Belize City which is really the de facto commercial capital. Most of the activities are here and we don't want to detract from the punch and thrust of the anniversary to take it to Belmopan. But an event will be organized for there later in the afternoon, official ceremonies as well."
Alfonso Noble,
How much does this have to do to the fact the Belize City Council has said that basically they can't finance the parade, they can't finance certain things within the celebration itself, the 21st celebration that is?
Hon. Godfrey Smith,
"Well I would say that is part of it as well. We want to ensure that there is full coordination. In the meeting today for instance the city council representatives did point out that they are having difficulty with the 21st, the parade, and so the Belize Tourism Board will have to step in and assist with that and it makes it easier if the ceremony is put along with the parade and we do everything in Belize City. It will be far easier to coordinate and ensure it's a memorable one fitting the 25th anniversary."
Alfonso Noble,
Is this just about trying to save face here, is this about to trying to save face, basically you had originally planned that the 21st would have been celebrated in Belmopan, well it will be at a lower scale than it will be in Belize City. Is it about saving face?
Hon. Godfrey Smith,
"Let's keep it simple Alfonso. This is celebrations month. This isn't about saving face. This is about trying to ensure that we have successful memorable fun events. To do that there has to be good coordination, good planning, good organization."
Smith also addressed the complaint vocalized by three UDP controlled municipalities who've gone public to say that government has misdirected money for the September celebration season to politically friendly personalities. In Dangriga that's ex-mayor Cassian Nunez, and in Orange Walk it's allegedly Deputy Prime Minister and Area Representative John Briceno. It's only $20,000 but the municipal leaders say government is disrespecting and bypassing the relevant municipal authorities to distribute public pork. Well today Smith told us that from government's perspective, it's simple: those who plan and execute the celebration events are the ones who get the cash.
Hon. Godfrey Smith,
"Why can't that model work in the district. That is what we want to get done. We want to say look, in the districts the district September celebrations committee sits with the town councils, decide which event who will be responsible for and monies will be challenged appropriately. So please this government is fully committed to using all available resources at its disposal to ensure that the 25th anniversary of independence and the 208th anniversary of the Battle of St. George's Caye are commemorated in a manner fitting the anniversaries and we want to make sure that everybody is unified and working together.
So the message is very simple: in the districts the town councils need to work with the existing September Celebrations Committees, decide on who will do what, and the monies will then be channeled to the organizing entity which is how it is working in Belize and you don't hear any problems coming out of the Belize City September Celebrations Committee. Where an entity can't handle an event or needs help then we find the appropriate resources, human or otherwise, to put behind it and ensure that these things go off very well."
