After a short recess, the House Meeting resumed, and that's when Prime Minister John Briceno gave official confirmation that his government has recommended that Froyla Tzalam should become the next Governor-General of Belize. She will replace Sir Colville Young, who will step down at the end of the month after 28 years of service.
Here's what the PM had to say about Tzalam's qualifications and Sir Colville's contribution:
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister "As we're all aware, His Excellency, Sir. Colville Young has announced his retirement and is stepping down as our Governor-General on the 30th of April. His long service to Belize will be appropriately celebrated on the day of his departure. Please allow me, Madam Speaker, on my behalf, my family, our government, and all Belizeans to thank the Governor-General for serving this country so selflessly. And he is a good example or the embodiment of what it is and what it means to be a public servant. Since his announcement, I have requested the Foreign Minister to inform Buckingham Palace, and Her Majesty, Queen of England of the nomination of Miss Froyla Tzalam to be Belize's next Governor-General. Miss Tzalam is from the beautiful village of San Antonio in the Toledo District. She's an anthropologist, writer, and community leader with a master's degree in rural development. She currently plays a leadership conservation community, and works as the head of SATIIM, an NGO engaged in the preservation and conservation of the Sarstoon Temash Environmental Association. I'm confident that Froyla will serve this high office with distinction, that she will bring her own style and talents to the high office of the Governor-General of Belize."
The Prime Minister has announced that at the next House meeting, he will be tabling draft legislation to amend the Governor General's Act to provide greater remuneration to past governors-general for their service.
