We also asked the Minister to discuss the major objection which Belize Water Services Limited has made against the Waterloo cruise port development.
As we told you last night, Alvan Haynes, the CEO of BWS, wrote a letter to Martin Allegria, the Chief Environmental Officer. In that correspondence, Haynes stated very clearly, that this development, if approved, will seriously undermine Belize City's wastewater treatment apparatus.
In his letter, Haynes says, quote, "BWS is of the view that this project will be extremely detrimental to [the] environment and to the sewer treatment system, and would ultimately cost the company and the population millions of dollars for remedies…" End quote.
So, since Rodwell Ferguson is the minister responsible for ports AND the utility companies, Jules asked him for his view on this substantial objection to Waterloo:<
Jules Vasquez - Host
"What's your view on this?"
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson - Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and Transport
"I saw the report, and Waterloo, I visited them about 3 weeks ago to get an idea of - actually, the Port of Belize. And the Waterloo project came up. Initially, they wanted to dump the silt into the sea, and now, they're talking about on land. Again, nothing has been finalized. So, whatever needs to be finalized needs to go to Cabinet. So, while BWS is already sending their opposition. That will be something of support. When it goes to Cabinet, we'll say, okay, this is what came from BWS. But, at this juncture, I don't want to talk and say x,y, and z, until Cabinet makes a final determination on Waterloo."
Jules Vasquez
"Mr. Ashcroft is not someone to be taken lightly. So, we have here a moving force. Waterloo has this very - you know it's an important development they bulk storage, all these things. But, at the same time, we have BWS, a utility [company] in your ministry as well, saying, slow your roll, you cannot do this. It will create a serious environmental hazard."
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson
"Well, I'm quite sure that the Prime Minister and Cabinet will take notice of BWS's letter, and as I said, when we reach that point, then we'll see what will be the result. But, I assure you it has to go-."
Jules Vasquez
"But, it sounds like you're dodging."
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson
"I am not dodging."
Jules Vasquez
"These are 2 things that you're responsible for."
Rodwell Ferguson
"While I'm responsible, we have a collective responsibility at Cabinet. So, If I have a paper, I take it to them, and they will determine if we're going to-"
Jules Vasquez
"How would you - if the two issues are there, which side would you choose?"
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson
"At this juncture, Jules, I will not tell you which side a choose."
Jules Vasquez
"You're dodging."
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson
"First of all, we have to look at the environmental impact, and so, once I do my assessment, then, I will say, you know what, maybe this isn't the way to go, or it might be the way we need to go. But again, we're talking about maybe 3 cruise ports around Belize City. It might be detrimental, I don't know because I'm not an environmentalist. We have to figure how we can balance whatever is going to happen along with employment and the environment. So, we'll figure out what is the best way forward."
