War almost erupted on Freedom Street this morning and it all has to do with the southside improvement project. $20 million will be spent and this week they are filling lots on Freedom Street with truckloads of clay. Since yesterday, 73 loads have been delivered and that's where the problem started because some residents claim the Port Loyola leg of the project is being managed by PUP standard bearer Oscar Rosado and they say he is playing political favorites. We'll get Area Rep. Boots Martinez's side but we begin with Dana Young who is supervising the work being done on Freedom Street. She says everyone who wants landfill - is getting it.
Dana Young, Supervisor
"They could be either red or blue. Anybody who needs the sand fill is going to get it, despite if they are red or if they are blue. And if you notice, we are going from house to house, not missing none."
Keith Swift,
But Mr. Boots' says you are playing favorites.
Dana Young,
"Not a thing so sir. I wish that Miss, I forgot the lady's name in the green house there. When we first went to house, when we were going around and seeing if they will be interested in the landfill, she let us know plain that
she is UDP. I told her it doesn't matter if she is UDP or PUP, the thing is that we are out here to help the poor people. We are out here to try and make this place look much better. It doesn't matter if you are red or blue, it is for everybody and I stress, everybody."
Keith Swift,
But you do work for Oscar Rosado who is the PUP Standard Bearer for Port Loyola right?
Dana Young,
"I agree with that sir. I am working for Mr. Rosado."
Keith Swift,
Is he paying your salary?
Dana Young,
"No, the government of Belize is paying my salary sir."
Keith Swift,
Are you getting complaints from people in the area?
Dana Young,
"Not at all because I just told you that we are going from house to house. I tell them I will give them five loads and they say that isn't enough, we try to please them. If they say they want ten, we try to give them as much as possible. As long as they can take it in their yard, then we give them."
Port Loyola Area Representative Boots Martinez sits on the technical team for the southside improvement project. He says he has no problem with Dana Young or her team. His problem is that the project should have been managed the Ministry of Works. He says the project implementation should be fair, transparent and equitable.
Hon. Anthony 'Boots' Martinez, Port Loyola Area Rep.
"I think the people deserve the filling and I am not here fighting over
what I believe the people should get. The people should get the filling but it should be done in a transparent manner. It should be done that if you are going down a street, every person on that street must get filling. I thought that it was mentioned that it would be the Ministry of Works in charge of that. I don't see anyone from the Ministry of Works checking them. I don't see anyone technical from the Ministry of Works there.
What you see there are political people and I have no problem also if the people should get the service and the government says it will be done through the PUP's standard bearer but let us know what is clear, how the project is running, because the project is from the OPEC Fund.
And if you want Mr. Rosado to handle it, I have no problem in terms of Mr. Rosado and his people handling it but it is a government project and it was discussed that it should be open and transparent and that is my only fundamental problem I have with it; the openness and transparency and the lack of economic opportunity that should impact people directly in the area."
The focus will turn to Jane Usher Boulevard next week.
