We also spoke via telephone with Paul Martin, and later with Breandon Raymond, who are representatives of Recological Systems Limited.
Via Telephone, Raymond, the Project Manager of RSL, told us that they are aware of the press conference and the comments from Abraham Frose and his team.
He said, quote, "Although there were numerous, baseless allegations made without merit, we will be reserving comments at the moment because there are several things that were mentioned that we need to bring clarity to everybody." End quote.
He told us that a press release from the company will be sent in response sometime next week.
5 days ago, Raymond spoke to the organization known as Southern Belize Media, and here's what he said about the company's plan for Commerce Bight:
Whenever RSL releases their statement next week, we'll tell you what they have to say.
While GOB Plays COVID Roulette At Casinos, Sports Languish Earlier tonight we told you about the regulations that casinos have to abide by once they are reopened, but the mere fact that they were afforded this chance has athletes all over the country crying foul. Contact sports have been banned since the onset of the pandemic, with athletes in the dark about when they will be able to train again. One athlete said enough is enough – sports in Belize must continue. Courtney Menzies spoke with Bryton Codd and has this story.
The small protest is being planned for 3pm tomorrow.
Ambassador Diab, I Presume
Businessman Haisam Diab has been quietly named the government's Ambassador for Business and Investment.
And though no public announcement has been made, we know that he runs an office called "Fast Track" - which like the name suggests, expedites permits and finds other business friendly solutions for investors - basically cutting through red tape and pushing things along.
And while he famously works for no salary, as the Prime Minister proudly disclosed last week, he does drive a vehicle with government plates.
But, it's a private vehicle - his own vehicle - and the PSU has problems with that. First Vice President Dean Flowers explained today:
Dean Flowers - First Vice President, PSU "The Public Service Union has been provided with information that is really disturbing. We have received some photographs of what we have now found out to be a privately owned motor vehicle which is driving on the streets of Belize with a blue license plate. It is not the property of the Government of Belize. It is our understanding that the recently retired chief transport officer who got an early retirement package has a hand in that matter. Any vehicle that carries a blue license plate, the title should show that it is the property of the people and Government of Belize. There is a very expensive white SUV driving around, I believe the number is 3638, it does not belong to the Government of Belize, it is blowing pass checkpoints uncheck, and God knows what's the purpose behind that. If it is that that vehicle would have belonged to government, the title would have reflected it, I can tell you the title does not reflect that. Let me just say that the good gentleman name was in the news just the other day when the prime minister chose to rent two rooms or two apartments instead of utilizing the Laing building."
Jules Vasquez "So, you're saying the Ambassador for Business and Investment?"
Dean Flowers "I'm unaware if he has been appointed to any position, Jules, what I know is that the title says that it belongs to him and there ought not to be any blue license plate on that vehicle, which begs the question: has a fuel card been issued as well? And if it is that he wants a blue license plate then he needs to transfer that vehicle to the government."
We did speak with Ambassador Diab who told us that he does have the plates because he has to pick up and move around with VIP's, investors, and government officials so he needs to move like an official conducting public business. He stressed that he does this at no cost to the government for his work or for his office and puts no burden on taxpayers.
As for the government rental of office suites in his building - he told us that the Laing Building was too small and the government needed more space which it is renting at what he says is below market value prices. Last week the PM told us he didn't know anything about the government rental from Diab.
PSU Says 8 People Owe 62 Million in Property Tax
And if that blue plate bombshell doesn't raise your temperature, then Flowers said the 5-million-dollar award for land compensation to Ivorr Realty should. He pointed to this and more profound problems with land tax collection:
Dean Flowers - First Vice President, PSU "I think your question in relation to the most recent judgement whereby Ivorr Limited was awarded 5.6 million dollars, I think it is, I think one media personnel said it best, he said there should be riots in the street. People should be out here demanding justice. I keep saying that we're going through a period of economic injustice, it's not only the public officers that are suffering from this, but the entire Belizean society that is suffering. I think what we saw in that judgement is the reason why this country is 4 billion dollars in debt. Imagine if the auditor general had executed timely audits of the land department, imagine what that 5.6 million dollars would be looking like today. I have some interesting information that I'm sifting through where the lands department is concerned and I want to say to public officers and the general public: 8 people, 8 landowners, are indebted to the government 62 million dollars. So, while the government is attacking 14 thousand public officers, there are 8 Belizeans or 8 companies out there, only 8, that owe this government 62 million dollars. The lands arrears are well in excess of 3 million dollars, the tax arrears is well in excess of 486 million dollars. And the best thing the government could do is to come after public officers, hardworking public officers, who are to be considered human resource assets rather than enemies."
CITCO and Unicef
This morning, representatives of UNICEF, NEMO, and shelter managers from the Belize City Council's disaster emergency apparatus engaged in an all-day training at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel.
It's called the "Humanitarian Training on Integrated Protection for Children and Adolescents During Emergency and Disaster Situations in Belize", and it's supposed to sensitize the participants about the needs of children who have been impacted by natural disasters and other public emergencies.
UNICEF says that the number of people - especially, children - affected by natural disasters is increasing every year. And so, UNICEF is hoping that the emergency personnel will start planning for the educational needs of children and adolescents who must take shelter from natural disasters.
7News attended the training this morning, and here's what the facilitators had to say about what they hope the participants will implement in their emergency planning:
UNICEF On School Opening
We also asked the UNICEF representative about their take on the phased reopening of schools after over a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She told us that her organization has been agitating for the reopening on behalf of at-risk students who have been left behind by distance learning strategies:
Cruise Tourism Making Slight Return in August
Cruise tourism is returning to Southern Belize.
It's an initial revival of the sector that comes after last week's announcement by Norwegian Cruise Line that it plans to resume port calls to Harvest Caye on August 9, 2021.
A release from the BTB tonight says quote: "As the sector continues to prioritize the health and safety of both guests and locals, Belize is committed to the ongoing monitoring and preparation required to welcome additional cruise calls in the coming months." End quote.
And while Belize is still trying to get its head above water when it comes to controlling the Covid numbers the Ministry of Tourism is nonetheless excited to welcome the return to service from NCL noting that it signals the safe re-opening of the cruise tourism sector in Belize.
Vaccinations are currently underway for those who work in the tourism sector.
And if you're worried about the return of large-scale day travel to our shores you the company has said that Norwegian Joy has, quote: "undergone extensive renovations such as upgraded medical-grade air filtration systems onboard, upgraded medical facilities, revamped layout of activity areas to meet social distancing and enhanced sanitizing stations, to name a few." End quote.
