And while the state of stasis at the Port of Belize - which is the country's sovereign port - is causing some concern in Belmopan - that stalled expansion of their bulk cargo facility is inextricably linked to the proposed establishment of a cruise port terminal - which the National Environmental Appraisal Committee has rejected.
As we told you last night, the developers have appealed the refusal in a lengthy 10 page notice of appeal.
It is now a live matter for the Minister to appoint a tribunal - but it also has far reaching political implications - which makes it also a matter for Cabinet consideration.
Today, the Minister with responsibility for Ports refused to discuss it:
Cherisse Halsall
"Sir, has Cabinet discussed the implications of the appeal filed by Waterloo against the NEAC's refusal of their PBL development proposal?"
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities
"I can't discuss what happens in Cabinet. "
Cherisse Halsall
"So, then I'd ask you where does their appeal factor into the government's plan to remove the port of Belize from its extended receivership? You can't discuss that either?"
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities
"No, well."
In the Notice of Appeal, Attorney Godfrey Smith writes for Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited, saying that the Department of the Environment's decision to accept NEAC's recommendation not to grant environmental clearance to the Project is fundamentally unfair and tainted by bad faith because, quote, "another port developer, Port of Magical Belize, (was held to a)...much lower standard... while unfairly requiring a higher, double standard from (Waterloo).
In its appeal, Waterloo is asking government to make an Order reversing the decision of the Department of the Environment to accept the recommendation of NEAC.
