During today's House Meeting, Opposition Leader "Shyne" Barrow was given an opportunity to pose questions to ministers on national interest topics. During that part of the House Meeting, Barrow used one of his questions to ask the Prime Minister, the Minister responsible for investment, about the Waterloo group's proposal to upgrade the Port of Belize.
As viewers are aware, Waterloo has proposed to the National Environmental Appraisal Committee that the Port of Belize is a suitable place to build a cruise port, and an upgraded cargo facility. The problem, as we have noted, is that they are just one of 3 competing, mega developers who have expressed a major interest in Belize City and cruise tourism. Either of their respective projects could easily become the dominant force in cruise tourism for the Belize District.
Here's the back and forth between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on that topic:
Mose "Shyne" Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Will the Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development please update this honourable House as to what his Ministry is doing to find solutions to the problems that are stalling the Waterloo Port project proposal, which if approved will bring tremendous economic development to Belize?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"It is quite straight forward, because everybody knows you are trying to sing for your supper, but in this case rap for your supper..."
Mose "Shyne" Barrow
"Madam Speaker, on a point of order, Members should not impute improper motives on other members. You reviewed those questions, you made alterations to those questions, and he needs to answer the question straight forward, no speculations, and no elucidation, answer the question."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Ofcourse I am compel to note that its not the first time that the piper or the rapper has played this tune before. He has raised the issue of the Port of Belize on a previous occasion if you may recall and here he is once again using his privilege of questions to raise a matter that could have easily been address with a call to the minister of sustainable development or the minister of Logistics who is responsible for ports."
"The National Appraisal Committee, an independent body charged with assessing and improving environmental compliance plans continue to review the environment plans for the proposed cruise ship terminal at the Port of Belize site in Belize City. In the most recent update to Cabinet, indicated that certain critical information from the applicant remains pending. The absence of that information approval, or disapproval could not be given. Nobody is above the law. Once again, government's position is simple. The law requires a NEAC approval for a project of this nature and magnitude, no less than the health of Belize's Barrier Reef is at stake. The approval process is therefore squarely a matter between the applicant and the NEAC, Government will not prejudice this process one way or the other."
