And from teens who take care of the environment to mega projects that could damage it....
On Wednesday night when the prime minister appeared on Uncut, we asked for his perspective on Belize's cruise tourism future. 3 mega cruise developments have emerged as options for the Belize District's first shoreside berthing facility for the largest cruise ships.
Those are Port Coral, which is currently being built; Port of Magical Belize, which has been given environmental clearance; and the Waterloo Port, which is still under review at the National Environmental Appraisal Committee.
So, which of the 3 will the Briceno government select? The PM said, the market will decide:
Jules Vasquez - Host
"Will you show the leadership that's required and end the paralysis, and have your government pick one of the 3? We can't have all 3."
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister
"No, I don't think it is for us to pick. Let me explain. There is a process, and all 3 of them have to go through the process. You go through the NEAC to get your environmental clearance. Once you get your environmental clearance, if you then want to proceed, then you go to BELTRAIDE to be able to get your fiscal incentives. But, at the end of the day, the market will decide which of the 3 will go through. And I say that simply because, each of these investments will require 10s of millions of dollars, some probably more than a hundred million, and no sane business person will invest when they know another cruise port is being built. So, we are going to facilitate for all 3 of them to go through the process, but at the end of the day, the one that has his act together and has the proper financing, and can get going will be the one to decide. But, it is not for us as a government, and that's the problem, Jules. It's not for us or for a government to say, we want B; we don't want C; we don't want A."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, but it seems like you are shrinking away."
Hon. John Briceno
"I'm not shrinking away from anything. I am telling you, and I will repeat, we are giving them an opportunity, all 3 of them an equal opportunity to be able to get their project off the ground. At the end of the day, the market will decide which one will succeed."
We also asked him specifically about the Waterloo Project, since it is being proposed by the Ashcroft Alliance. As viewers aware, the Alliance has funded the ruling party's election campaigns in the past, but on Wednesday night, the Prime Minister asserted that this fact does not afford the Waterloo Project any edge over the other two developers:
Jules Vasquez - Host
"We know factually, Ashcroft Alliance has provided financing for your party. We know factually..."
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister
"Factually, Waterloo is in front of the NEAC, and factually, we have said that Waterloo, for it to pass the NEAC, has to meet the demands and the requirements that the different ministries are making of them. For instance, I was very clear to them, when I met them even in Opposition when they were talking about taking the dredging and dumping it closer to the reef. I said that's no PUP government will not allow that. I said I don't care what science you bring to us, we will not allow it. We've been very clear about that. I said the Belizean people will not allow it. So, if - as what you're trying to make the case that Waterloo, because of the Ashcroft Alliance, has an extra edge, why is it that they have not passed through the NEAC as yet?"
Jules Vasquez
"I'm asking."
Hon. John Briceno
"I'm asking you the question. You know everything."
Jules Vasquez
"I can't figure it out, sir."
Hon. John Briceno
"Thank you very much, because they have to follow the law, like everybody else. And once they meet the requirements of the NEAC, then their project will proceed. If they don't meet the requirements of the NEAC, it will not proceed. Simple, punto final."
