Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1

NO. 3436 BELIZE CITY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 (20 PAGES) $1.00 BIL’s Christy Mastry responds to allegations

BELIZE CITY, Sun. Feb. 7, 2021 On Sunday night, the suspended general manager of Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), “Kill BIL”, says Hon. Espat Christy Mastry, issued a statement in which she refuted allegations BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 against her that were made by During his remarks at Friday’s Minister of Infrastructure sitting of the House of Development and Housing, Hon. Representatives, Minister of Julius Espat, during last Friday’s Infrastructure Development and sitting of the House of Housing, Hon. Julius Espat said Representatives. that Belize Infrastructure Limited In his address to the House, Hon. (BIL), the government-owned company that manages the country’s Please turn to„Page 17 major infrastructure projects, had reported to his Ministry that all the Belize accepts financial records of the company vaccines from Russia Please turn to„Page 13 Appropriation Bill #6 deferred

“…We have a building now weh cost we 25 million dollars. Start from 12.6 million and now they want 25 million dollars to finish the Eleanor Hall building!”— Hon. Briceño

BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 19 pandemic during the recent The Minister of Health and sitting of the House of Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, rose to give an update on the COVID- Please turn to„Page 19 COVID-19 Update BELIZE CITY, Mon. BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2020 General Revenue Appropriation Feb. 8, 2021 During Friday’s sitting of the Bill # 6 of 2020/2021 would be The COVID-19 House of Representatives, Prime deferred until a further date. The bill numbers continue to Minister John Briceño announced trend downwards in the that the second reading of the Please turn to„Page 19 country. Since our last update, only one new fatality has been nd

Please„ turn to UBAD’s 52 anniversary (See story on page 12) Page 4 Page 2 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Health Ministry continues to brace for 3rd COVID wave

BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 variants are currently circulating The Ministry of Health and The Ministry of Health and within the country. Recently, three Wellness is taking no chances, and, Wellness is awaiting data from new COVID-19 variants were as mentioned, is bracing for the testing labs outside Belize that are identified across the world: the UK arrival of the inevitable third wave. currently carrying out genotype variant, said to be more contagious; “Notwithstanding the progress testing on COVID-19 samples that a variant found in South Africa that that we are making, the Ministry of were taken from members of our is said to be more deadly and is Health and Wellness shall be using local population. resistant to the AstraZeneca this time we have to prepare our The Ministry is currently trying vaccine, and a new variant that has medical institutions to confront a to find out if any COVID-19 recently sprung up in Brazil. third wave. As you know, Madam Speaker, countries such as Barbados, Trinidad, and Tobago, and of recently Cuba, have shut COVID Cash Transfer down to curb the spread of the pandemic. Madam Speaker, we at regard, we look forward to program rolls out shortly the Ministry of Health and Wellness retrofitting our medical facilities are serious about safeguarding the and rolling out NHI to the rest of BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, health of our people, and with this our country,” Minister Chebat said. 2021 During the sitting of the House of Representatives Details into BIL which took place on Friday, February 5, 2021, area representative for investigation revealed Mesopotamia, Hon. Moses “Shyne” Barrow, posed a question to Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, regarding the Government’s plan to continue the Covid-19 food assistance program. Minister of Human Development, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, had told members of the media that she could not say baskets to Mickey Mouse and Minnie BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 Espat, was also a partner of the what would be the fate of the Mouse. Some houses, you have three, Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) architecture firm, i.E. She moved her program for the new year, only that four people inna the same house was incorporated back in October of office to a building owned by the firm Government was committed to getting pantry. It will reveal that 2013 as a special purpose vehicle to shortly after becoming General provide for the “poorest of the cronies and special friends were given carry out government infrastructural Manager of BIL, according to Espat. poor.” At the time, she had given a debit cards with thousands of dollars projects under the Barrow Both the offices for Belize commitment for the upkeep of the that was supposed to go to poor administration. On Friday, in a regular Infrastructure Limited and program until the month of March. people but went to UDP campaigners sitting of the House of International Environments Ltd. are In his response to Hon. Barrow’s and their special friends,” Hon. Representatives, Minister responsible located on the 6th floor of the Matalon query in the House, the Prime Briceño revealed. for Infrastructure Development and Building on Coney Drive. Minister announced the rollout of Even more outrageous was the fact Housing, Hon. Julius Espat, shared “Subsequent to renting the office, a new COVID-19 cash transfer that the money that was allegedly that an investigation into BIL has then all of a sudden, all the contracts, program that should benefit twenty- squandered, was borrowed — revealed what he calls an “incestuous not only the contract of construction, one thousand Belizean families for taxpayers’ money, Prime Minister relationship” between the but the design or the design bill or the next 6 months. “Next week, Briceño said. He further noted that Government-owned construction just the construction or maybe a Madam Speaker, next week we will the funds which were depleted before company and a private firm, known partnership, were awarded to the very start to roll out the Belize COVID- his administration got into office was as International Environments (iE). same company that she came from 19 Cash Transfer Fund. This supposed to have lasted until March “We found that over 100 million without the necessary financial program is being funded through the 2021. dollars, over 100 million dollars scrutiny that is needed,” Minister World Bank and will provide “They squander all ah the money because we have not been able to fully Espat said. assistance for the next six months that when we got into government identify and certify the expenses up An alarming revelation made by to about 21 thousand households,” on November 11, all of the money to date, but as far as we have seen, Espat was that the office of this Hon. Briceño said. that was supposed to be there for 100 million dollars has been spent private architectural firm had access In providing background food assistance was gone, spent, all though BIL,” Minister Espat revealed. to the Government’s smart stream information prior to introducing the disbursed. They left the pantry Minister Espat shared that 80% of system. That is the enterprise-level new cash transfer program, the Prime broke.” Prime Minister Briceno said. these contracts were given to one application used by the Government Minister also said that an audit Recently, Government passed a contractor, the aforementioned i.E. of Belize for financial transactions. would be conducted into all the supplementary appropriation bill in “There was an incestuous “We found out that there is also an funds spent through the COVID-19 order to sustain the assistance relationship, Madam Speaker… A access to smart stream that these two relief program controlled by the program until the end of the fiscal partner/ employee of i.E, became the offices that are adjacent to each other former United Democratic Party. year. “As we speak, Madam General Manager of BIL after the have access to,” Espat shared. “The Minister of Human Speaker, grocery bag supplies are General Elections,” he noted. He In his remarks, Espat asserted that Development just disclosed to me rolling out. This week grocery bags went on to say, “A little over a year Mastry, whose actions are currently that hundreds of thousands of are being given out to thousands of after the March 2012 election, BIL being investigated, would sign off on dollars have been spent from the needy Belizeans,” the Prime was incorporated. As decisions that could only be made by Ministry that has been unaccounted Minister said. mentioned, professional architect a board. He alleged that some past for,” he said. As mentioned, these “grocery and member of the US National board members formally documented “What that audit is going to reveal, bags” will continue to be distributed Council of Architectural Registration past instances of this. In the coming Madam Speaker, is that Ministers until the end of March. Board (NCARB), Christy Mastry, was month, the operations of BIL will be were hooking up with their favorite The new COVID-19 cash transfer named the General Manager of the wound up. In the interim, the Prime vendors to fleece the pantry program program is expected to run up until government special purpose vehicle.” Minister has decided to replace the ... that they were giving out the food June of 2021. Mastry, according to Minister company’s board of directors. Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 3 800 re-employed after Corozal Free Zone reopening BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb 5, 2021 happy about. But they are being According to preliminary reports very careful about it, they said. from Government officials, about “We are happy to see the reopening 800 persons have regained of the Corozal Free Zone. This act employment after the reopening of alone is allowing about 800 hundred the Corozal Free Zone (CFZ). This families in Corozal to have food on past week Mexican shoppers were the table at home. And we’re opening allowed to enter the Corozal Free up smart. We know we have to be Zone and make purchases. careful; we’re opening up smart with According to Mexican officials, an all the proper mask-wearing estimated 3,000 persons went to the protocols, the proper hygiene free zone on the first day. While no protocols, and the physical COVID-19 variant is reported in distancing.” Prime Minister Briceno Chetumal, health officials on the said during his remarks at the last ground in Mexico are looking at sitting of the House of ways to implement some sort of Representatives. health intervention protocol, for In an interview with local media those Mexican nationals going to this week, Minister of Agriculture, protocols for testing workers and unnamed company, were found to the Corozal Free Zone. Food Security and Enterprise, Hon. preventing infection inside the free be infected with COVID-19 and While the increased movement Jose Abelardo Mai, told local media zone. were not allowed to start working poses an obvious health risk, the that he is happy that almost 1,000 According to Minister Mai, just inside the zone. Government of Belize says the persons are being employed in the before the reopening, on January 31, Two of these persons who tested increase of employment and CFZ. He shared that he has concerns about 400 to 500 persons who positive were partners. Both were economic activity in the Corozal for the health and wellness of those were scheduled to resume working asked to not report to work and are District as a result of the reopening persons now trafficking the free inside the CFZ were tested. At the currently in isolation, according to of the CFZ is something they are zone, but he is confident in the time, four persons, employees of an Minister Mai. 28 bales of cocaine burnt

At around 3:30 a.m. on January territory. The second boat, 29, police tracked and intercepted containing nine Belizean men, a drug plane with thousands of including 2 police officers and a pounds of cocaine on board. By the BDF soldier, confirmed to be the time the plane had gotten into driver for the Brigadier General, Belizean airspace, the operation was were found along with 2 bales of already compromised, and the cocaine, amounting to about 150 aircraft went down between the pounds in weight. villages of Lemonal and Crooked These nine persons have since Tree. Two boats were then seen been arrested, charged, and speeding from the area using the subsequently arraigned inside the nearby lagoon. Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court. The first boat, believed to have They have all pleaded not guilty and been occupied by the Mexican have recently been granted bail in support team and possibly the pilot the Supreme Court. They are all of the plane, was never captured. charged with possession of a BELIZE DISTRICT, Fri. Feb. 5, police’s caravan headed to an Those persons and whatever cargo controlled drug with the intent to 2021 undisclosed location, where they that they had in their possession are supply and are represented by Just one week after the Belize proceeded to carry out the burning likely well outside Belizean Attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley. Police Department’s seizure of a of the drugs. little over 2,000 pounds of cocaine The destruction of the cocaine was following a narco plane landing, the concluded at 1:00 p.m. drugs have been burnt in Vidal said that the destruction of compliance with an order issued by the drugs will have no negative House and Senate the court. The Police Department’s impact on the case compiled against Commander of Operations ACP the accused. “Whenever the drugs are to meet virtually Marco Vidal oversaw the found, you have Scenes of Crime destruction of all 28 bales of who go on the scene, and they gather cocaine retrieved by police during the evidence. In addition to that, the the recent bust. drugs are photographed and Local media was invited to view everything. And that is taken before the destruction of the narcotics. “We the court. You guys are here to have the 26 bales of cocaine that witness that it is the drugs that are were the found property, and then being destroyed. The evidence that we have the 2 that were found in the Scenes of Crime took is what is the boat. I say 26 because it includes taken before the court to convict the 23 plus the 3 that were found these people,” ACP Vidal explained. afterward. And that totaled just When asked about his reaction to under 1 ton — 947 thereabouts,” the charges brought against three ACP Vidal shared. law enforcement personnel in Also present to witness the connection to the huge drug bust, destruction of the drugs were the he said, “We have genuine police sitting Senior Magistrate, a chemist, officers and we have those that are by Dayne Guy subsequent meetings of the House of a Justice of the Peace, and a senior engaging in these kinds of activities. Representatives and the Senate can officer. Vidal shared that the So, for the police to go after these BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 take place virtually rather than in- department decided to move to carry persons is applauding because we During the last sitting of the House person due to concerns about out speedy destruction of the drugs, need to go after these persons. There of Representatives, Hon. Prime transmission of COVID-19 and the given the security risk. As soon as are others; they just need to be Minister John Briceño proposed that the court order was given, the exposed and then captured.” the standing orders be amended so that Please turn to„Page 4 Page 4 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021 COVID-19 Update UNHCR donates medical

Continued from Page 1 and curfew measures remain in „ effect. In the US, with the election equipment and PPE to local recorded, a man from the Belize of President Joe Biden, testing and District. During Friday’s House of vaccination efforts are now at the Representatives meeting, the forefront of that country’s isolation facility Minister of Health and Wellness, response. Although the country has Hon. Michel Chebat, formally a 97% case recovery rate, the 3% announced the COVAX facility’s accounts for about 476,314 persons decision to send 100,800 doses of who have died from the coronavirus the AstraZeneca vaccine to the in that country as of February 8, country. 2021. Minister Chebat also announced Barbados entered a lockdown last that the country has been given an Wednesday, and a curfew has been offer to purchase an additional instituted from 7:00 p.m. 81,697 doses of vaccine through the to 6: 00 a.m., and will run for African Medical Supplies platform. two weeks, until February 17. The This opportunity is currently being UK variant has been identified in offered to CARICOM member that country. All businesses except states. Of note, the country will also banks and supermarkets were receive about 21,000 doses of ordered to shut down from Russia’s Sputnik vaccine. The February 3rd to the 6th. donation was made available by the Most recently, South Africa Panamanian ambassador to Belize. suspended its plans to inoculate its To date, a total of 12,070 frontline workers using the by Dayne Guy as these align with the goals and confirmed cases of COVID-19 have AstraZeneca vaccine after they mission of UNHCR, which is been identified throughout the found that it may be ineffective in BELMOPAN, Mon. Feb. 8, 2021 focused on safeguarding the rights country since the start of the preventing illness caused by the In support of Belize’s response and well-being of people who have pandemic. Of that number, currently South African variant. to the COVID-19 global pandemic, been forced to flee. 254 cases remain active and about According to AP news, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR’s Head of Office, 11,509 persons have recovered from “Preliminary data from a small has donated medical equipment and Yolanda Zapata says, “The fight the virus, a case recovery percentage study suggested that the personal protective equipment against COVID-19 is a global one. of 95.4. AstraZeneca vaccine offers only (PPE) to the Valley of Peace Everyone must have access to Unfortunately, 307 fatalities have ‘minimal protection against mild- community isolation facility. medical care and treatment, been recorded since the start of the moderate disease’ caused by the The Valley of Peace community especially the most vulnerable, to pandemic, which equates to a case variant in South Africa. The variant has been providing a safe haven for conquer the battle against the virus.” fatality rate of 2.54%. Of the persons appears more infectious and is refugees in Belize since its The agency has also donated who died as a result of the virus, 202 driving a deadly resurgence of the foundation in 1982, and it is PPEs, face shields, KN95 and were males and 105 females. disease in the country, currently currently home to nearly 300 surgical masks, patient monitors Between February 7 and 8, a total accounting for more than 90% of asylum seekers who are notably and other supplies to the Western of 33 new cases of COVID-19 were the COVID-19 cases, [South about 14% of the community’s Regional Hospital, the identified from a batch of 729 Africa’s] health minister Zweli overall population. Within the Independence Polyclinic, and 100 samples processed over those two Mkhize said Sunday night.” packages that the isolation facility community health workers in the days. Thirty recoveries were Belize still is awaiting results received were 20 divider panels, 20 Cayo District to aid in their fight to recorded, and as mentioned, there from genotype testing being bed sheets and covers, 20 pillows contain the widespread impact of was one death. Seven conducted to confirm whether or not and covers, blankets, towels, hand COVID-19. hospitalizations of persons with a new strain of the virus is in Belize. soaps, hand sanitizer, and cleaning These donations are a part of the COVID-19 were recorded, with two The Ministry of Health and supplies. This donation UN Belize’s joint response by of those persons being in need of Wellness continues to urge all complements the previous UNHCR, PAHO/WHO, ILO, and intensive care. Belizeans to adhere to all the contribution to the isolation UNFPA, and were made possible On February 6, officials from the COVID-19 protocols in place at this facility, which received beds and through financing via the UN Ministry of Health and Wellness time. Continue to wear a face mask mattresses in October 2020. Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Through found 24 new cases of the virus properly, maintain consistent Dr. Candy Azueta, medical their efforts, UNHCR intends to from about 634 tests conducted. physical distancing, avoid social officer-in-charge at Valley of Peace provide and enhance access to Eleven recoveries were recorded and gatherings, and wash and sanitize Health Centre, says “These health services, while increasing the no persons passed away as a result hands often. Members of the donations will help the community, protective capacity of frontline of COVID-19 on that day. The community are asked to stay at home as many families live in small health care workers, thus keeping country also recorded no fatalities unless they are conducting essential houses and are in need of separate them safe during this global on February 5, and on that day only business. isolation centers,” Donations such pandemic. 5 new cases were confirmed. About 352 tests were processed on that day and 16 recoveries were recorded. House and Senate to meet virtually While the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities is trending Continued from Page 3 have House meetings here in the They have been doing this in some downward in Belize, a third wave „ House because we are in small countries, especially in the Caribbean. of the COVID-19 pandemic fueled restricted movement of area cramped quarters’’, the Prime Basically, we are not inventing the by new, more contagious, and more representatives within the meeting Minister shared. He added, “Many wheel. We are just moving with the deadly variants is currently gripping room due to the retrofitting of the people ask, ‘well, why don’t you just times and giving you, Madam countries across the world. The space in line with COVID-19 meet virtually, use Zooms or teams Speaker, the proper tools to decide United States of America and many protocols. or whatever that you want to use?’ how best, we can hold meetings,” he European countries are facing their Prime Minister Briceño, in We then have to explain to them that said. third wave. Those countries are still explaining the move, said that “… it standing orders never envisioned for The Prime Minister concluded by at the height of their battle with the is expedient to amend the standing a day that you can host House saying that this is a move that would pandemic. Although inoculation orders on the House of meetings virtually.” protect all members of the House of programs have begun to roll out in Representatives to allow, for the Hon. John Briceño commented Representatives and the Senate, and, those countries, the new variants House to meet virtually in the interest that the shift from in-person meetings instead of forcing them into flexi- could cause numbers to once again of public health, public safety, of members of the legislature to glass chambers, would allow them to get out of control. national security or public virtual ones has actually already taken attend meetings in the safety of their In the United Kingdom, strict emergency.” place in a number of countries. “This homes during this time of a global measures are in place, and lockdown “It is very difficult to be able to is something that is not new to Belize. pandemic. Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 5

Tough decisions for the new government

In a nutshell, our country sells agricultural and marine they have called on the government to cut salaries by as products — sugar, citrus, bananas and lobster — to pay for much as 15%. manufactured foods and fuel; and sells vacations that include In March last year, after the pandemic stopped the cruise tours to our spectacular reef and Mayan temples (tourism) to ships and plane loads of tourists from coming, and our pay for refrigerators, medicines, electronic equipment, economy collapsed, Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, vehicles, and other items that we don’t produce. borrowed heavily to, as much as possible, maintain life as Between 2008 and 2017 our standard of living got a boost we knew it. The hope was that the pandemic would go away from taxes from oil wells in Spanish Lookout and soft Petro quickly, and Hon. Barrow also wanted to protect his party’s Caribe loans. When those sources dried up we were left with chances in the imminent general elections. only our traditional foreign- income earners, and two of those, In the eight months in which the UDP steered the economy citrus and farmed shrimps, because of diseases, are not what during the pandemic, they put in stop gap measures and they once were. Then the Covid-19 pandemic knocked tourism prayed, and in its first three months in government the PUP flat, and almost overnight the number of Belizeans living in spent most of its energies battling the pandemic, which was an impoverished state doubled. at its worst when the party took office, and putting in place Ever since the pandemic hit in March, we have been the people it will depend on to help carry out its manifesto. borrowing about $1 million each day to meet our bills, and it The PUP has been criticized, maybe deservedly, for placing was no surprise to anyone when Prime Minister John Briceño in key positions a number of persons who are related to, or told us that the budget for fiscal year 2020/2021 had a massive too friendly with, leaders of the party. It’s not unusual for shortfall of $500 million. new governments everywhere to hire a number of their It is usual for our prime ministers to present budgets with loyalists, and these appointees might indeed be the right substantial deficits. The 2019/2020 budget estimates showed choices, but in the short term, under our present we were $132.5 million short, and the 2020/2021 budget circumstances, they will not be able to prove their worth. We estimates showed we needed $232.1 million to balance it. have to hope, for our sakes, that down the road they will The Ministry of Finance estimated that at the end of the prove that they were chosen for their capacity and integrity, fiscal year 2019/2020 our total debt was $3.536 billion, or and thus vindicate their selections. 90.9% of GDP. It is expected that when the budget estimates It’s been almost one year since the pandemic has had us in are presented in March, our its grip, and all we’ve done is plug holes. Now we’re in a real total debt will have increased tough spot. $500 million, and counting, is a gaping hole for a to about 130% of GDP. little country like Belize to fill. The budget estimates for If the government can’t find the money, and all the indicators 2019/2020 included $440.6 say that it can’t, it will have to listen to the call of the business million for personal community that it cuts the salaries of its over 14,000 emoluments and $97.1 employees. Such a move, which looks unavoidable, will (estb. 1969) Amandala negatively impact almost every other sector in this country. Business and editorial offices: million for pensions, and the 3304 Partridge Street, Belize estimates for 2020/2021 Last week there was some relaxation of the stiff Covid-19 City, Belize, Central America included $453.8 million for prevention measures that were in place, and that was is printed twice weekly by the personal emoluments and welcomed by food vendors who can now set up their stalls all Amandala Press. $95.8 million for pensions. along the streets in populated areas, but their sales will be Telephones: 501-280-4703/ Every year the International less if government employees have less to spend. 501-202-4477 Monetary Fund (IMF), in its An SIB (Statistical Institute of Belize) pamphlet released in Country Report for Belize, 2016 showed that 60% of the earnings of Belizean families Publisher: Evan X Hyde calls on our governments to was spent on housing, food, and transportation. The 2016 Editor-in-chief: Marco Lopez rein in the public sector wage statistics showed that the average Belizean household spent bill to reduce the deficits. $26 out of every $100 on housing, water, electricity, and Business Manager: Jacinta Hyde The IMF panacea for butane; $20 out of every $100 went to pay for food; and $14 Make-up & Design countries with deficits is out of every $100 was spent on transportation. Artist: Andrea Dennison austerity, and in 1997 a UDP In 2021 the cost of food is much higher than it was in Executive Secretary: Odessa government did heed the 2016. The cost of many locally produced foods went up Robinson Smith advice of the IMF and shaved recently because of the floods last year but, fortunately, these Compositor: Tyra Welch off 800 persons from the prices are expected to come down when new crops come in. Lithography: Clive Smith public purse. The big problem is that the cost of imported food keeps rising, Printers: Kent Brooks It’s a gloomy picture that and as a result Belizeans spend a lot more of their dollar on stares us in the face, an food than they did back in 2016. unsustainable position, and Something has to be done, we all know that, and if our Please email Correspondence: recently it has prompted calls leaders decide there is no way out of this crisis without paring [email protected] from all over, particularly the the salaries of public employees, for a time, there will be business community, for the increased hurt across the nation. Advertisements to: government to cut its wage It’s tough times we face today; our leaders have very tough [email protected] bill. Within a couple months decisions to make, but if they put our country first, they can make our story have a good ending. They can greatly lessen Mailing Address: of the pandemic, the Amandala Press business communities’ two this period of pain if they are serious about good governance 3304 Partridge Street registered organizations, the practices, and if they chart a course that includes all of us, c/o P.O. Box 15, BCCI and the BBB, had they just might be able to deliver on their manifesto promise Belize City, Belize publicly issued similar calls. — that with the PUP all of us will win. A recently leaked document For all of our sakes, we have to pray to God, and keep the Amandala’s website: from the BBB shows that pressure on them, so that they make the right decisions. amandala.com.bz Page 6 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021 COVAX to provide equitable access to vaccines

by Dayne Guy efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Dr. Barbosa explained that there are WASHINGTON, DC, USA, Wed. two goals of the program: Feb. 3, 2021 individual protection and collective Last week, at a press conference protection. Individual protection is hosted by the Pan American Health the protection that is given to each Association (PAHO) to discuss person who takes the vaccine, while distribution of COVID-19 collective protection will help to vaccines, Assistant Director of control transmission of the virus. PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, said that Barbosa explained, “mathematical “the next shipment [of vaccines] models show that we can use any will be sent as normally through vaccine that has more than 50% of COVAX and they will begin with efficacy rate, because these AstraZeneca vaccines.” and he noted vaccines, if high vaccine coverage that the Serum Institute’s vaccine is reached, will protect and be from India is still pending proficient in controlling the Emergency Use Authorization from transmission.” This established the World Health Organization threshold can provide collective (WHO). protection if high coverage is met. AstraZeneca hasn’t been delivered systems can adequately care for COVAX, the World Health Even though high efficacy of a yet, since they are still working on patients who are battling COVID- Organization (WHO) initiative, as vaccine is preferred and would have final reviews.” However, EMA, the 19, but can provide support for the Barbosa explains, is focused on an optimal effect, any efficacy above regulatory agency working with millions of patients living with providing global equitable access to the threshold (50%) will be WHO, believes that the data could conditions like diabetes, COVID-19 vaccines. “All these sufficient in curbing the effects of allow all-inclusive vaccination with hypertension and, of course, estimates, for the countries, agree COVID-19, according to the the AstraZeneca vaccine. cancer,” Dr. Etienne said. with the objective of an equitable officials. Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of According to PAHO, technical distribution.”, said Barbosa, who Barbosa further stated that, “The PAHO, reinforced Dr. Barbosa’s analysis will be provided to noted that “during the 1st phase of vaccines to be purchased through statements by emphasizing that we countries for them to use within distribution, COVAX will cover COVAX, the revolving fund with must prioritize these early doses their national immunization plan. 3% of the population. This PAHO and UNICEF, will only be for our elderly and our health Detailed information about use and corresponds to a sufficient amount acquiring vaccines that have been workers. “There is an urgency of side effects of vaccines and to protect those who are most prequalified for Emergency Use building back better from this suggested guidelines for vulnerable.” according to WHO. Pfizer has pandemic. We’re reminded that we participating countries will be When questioned about the already been authorized. must ensure that our health included.

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UNFCCC Article 6, the NCCPSAP, and Belize’s development plans. Ensure that strategies are inclusive and gender responsive in terms of socio-cultural practices and levels of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviours. § Conduct national consultations with key stakeholders to identify Climate Change priority areas within the sectors, review message design, tools, and materials development and define communication channels. Message design should be aimed at supporting behavioural change among various stakeholders. § Ensure that the views of grass roots people, indigenous people, and VACANCY women are included in the design consultations/forums/planning meetings. • Ensuring the effective implementation of the National Climate Change Communication Strategy. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER • Develop partnerships with other relevant organizations to disseminate information and create awareness about climate change actions and issues and Duty Station: National Climate Change Office, Ministry of Sustainable Development, the NCCO’s programs and activities. Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Belmopan • Work closely with the NCCO staff to ensure that relevant communication/ Duration of Employment: 24 months program materials are developed and disseminated to target groups through Position Type: Professional and Technical relevant media and network channels, including social media, drafting and Project Reference: “Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and production of media releases, media kits, brochures and other product and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean” resource materials, including supervision of their distribution. • Develop and maintain contact information, materials and relationships with 1. Background Information journalists and media outlets to increase coverage of climate change related The Government of Belize has facilitated the development of the National Climate issues in the media. This may include organizing project site visits, photo Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan (NCCPSAP) which was approved in September coverage, tv footage. 2015 and in October, 2016 has submitted its National Determined Contributions (NDCs) • Develop and archive communication materials, including digital publications, which encapsulates the country’s Climate Change plan under the Paris Agreement. photographs, audio-visual materials, etc. • Monitor and evaluate the impact of communication materials and campaigns to In response to the needed actions presented by the Paris Agreement, Belize has target audiences. commenced the updating of its National Determined Contributions. In doing so, Belize • Documentation of experiences and lessons learnt for improved communication is also taking the opportunity to update its National Climate Change Policy, Strategy of climate change activities by the NCCO. and Action Plan in 2020. • Present work activities and results to stakeholders and other interested parties if required. Currently the Government of Belize seeks to plan a way forward in enabling the Belizean • Facilitate the media at local and national events, as requested and needed. society to be a part of the solution. In order to achieve this, the National Climate • Provide bi-weekly newsletters to the general public. Change Office (NCCO) seeks to develop a National Climate Change Communication • Support the National Climate Change Office in the execution of additional tasks Strategy and Action Plan (NCCCSAP) that links to the implementation of the updated as mandated by management. National Climate Change Policy and Strategy, while aiming to effectively communicate 4. Institutional Arrangement climate change adaptation and mitigation issues to the national audience. The Communications Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Project Director/Chief Climate Change Officer and in collaboration with the In pursuance of the development of the Communication Strategy, the NCCO seeks to EnGenDER Project Manager based in the National Climate Change Office, procure the services of a Communications Officer to be in charge of communication Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change Officer and Disaster activities and initiatives related to climate change. Risk Management.

2. Main Purpose of the Position 5. Required Skills and Experience The main purpose of the position is to deliver a National Climate Change § Qualifications and skills: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Strategy and Action Plan (NCCPSAP) that covers the period 2021 to Communications, Journalism, Media, Public Relations, Social 2025 that strives to effectively increase and improve the level of awareness, interest, Sciences or related field. positive attitudes, behaviours and practices towards climate change adaptation and § General professional experience: At least five (5) years continuous mitigation among the public, vulnerable communities and other stakeholders in Belize. working experience in research, communication, education, and The position is also responsible for the delivery of all communication outputs and awareness. materials. In addition, this position will work with key stakeholders from government § Specific professional experience: Demonstrated experience in the and non-government to identify ways of communicating climate change within the preparation of communication strategies with an implementation plan. sectors and ensuring linkages to the updated NCCPSAP and alignment to Belize’s Experience in using the KAP Survey model. Knowledge and NDC (2021), Horizon 2030 Long Term National Development Framework for Belize understanding of development issues and relevant work experience, in and Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy for Belize. particular familiarity with technical concepts related to the environment and CC issues, climate change adaptation and mitigation. 3. Key Responsibility Areas § General competencies: a) General Administrative Responsibilities o Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills; • Assist in the development of a yearly workplan and budget relating to o Ability to think strategically; to express ideas clearly; to work implementation of communication and awareness activities and packages for independently or in teams with strong sense of initiative, the National Climate Change Office (NCCO); discipline, and self-motivation; to demonstrate a sense of • Participate in meetings or workshops, as required. self-assuredness combined with political, cultural and gender sensitivity. b) General Technical/ Professional Responsibilities o Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal, communication; report writing and organizational skills and • Provide substantial expertise for the development and implementation of Belize’s commitment to teamwork. National Climate Change Communication Strategy and Action Plan. This will o The capacity to incorporate social and gender inclusive design include extensive stakeholder consultation across key government ministries. considerations wherever needed. Additional tasks include: o Excellent English drafting and communication skills; Spanish § Review all the pertinent documents that are related to the NCCO and would be considered an asset. also all previously implemented and planned communication activities o Excellent organizational skills, develops clear goals that are in relation to Climate Change including previous and current KAP consistent with the NCCO’s strategy, identifies priorities and studies, Climate Change strategies, plans and actions and consult with allocates time appropriately. various stakeholders within the public and private sector. o Computer skills including a working knowledge of MS Office § Develop a Situational Assessment and Analysis which incorporates (Word, Power Point, Excel and Publisher). Basic design and levels of knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and behaviours. The layout skills are an added advantage. Situation Assessment and Analysis should target key audiences as o Demonstrated social media experience is an added asset. follows: policy (government ministries, departments and agencies); international development agencies; academia and schools; 6. Working Conditions and Environment municipalities and town councils; civil society; farmers and farmer A competitive salary is available and other terms and conditions will be discussed during groups; private sector; media; youth, women and people with the application process. disabilities; indigenous people; residents, cultural leaders and vulnerable communities. 7. Application § Conduct a communication needs assessment to identify gaps and ways To streamline the application process, applicants are required to submit their application of addressing these gaps in communicating climate change within packages, including the following documents: the sectors specified in the NCCPSAP. § Identify opportunities to strengthen and build the capacity of partners • Expression of interest and stakeholders through communication training, access to • Resume/CV information, supplies and equipment and through knowledge sharing. • Two current reference letters § Establish communication strategies that will engage and disseminate information to stakeholders and target audiences at opportune times Qualified persons should submit by email their completed application to by providing relevant and useful information through effective media [email protected], to the attention of the Chief Climate Change Officer. The that will be based on the key principles of development subject of the email should read: “Application for Communication Officer Position.” communication. Ensure that the principles are consistent with the Deadline: Submission must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., 16th February 2021. Page 8 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Decisiones difíciles para el nuevo gobierno

En pocas palabras, nuestro país vende productos agrícolas durante la pandemia, pusieron en marcha medidas y marinos - azúcar, cítricos, bananos y langosta - para pagar provisionales y rezaron, y en sus primeros tres meses en el alimentos manufacturados y combustible; y vende gobierno, el PUP gastó la mayor parte de sus energías vacaciones que incluyen recorridos a nuestro espectacular luchando contra la pandemia, que estaba en su peor arrecife y templos mayas (turismo) para pagar refrigeradores, momento cuando el partido asumió el cargo, y colocando medicinas, equipos electrónicos, vehículos y otros artículos a las personas de las que dependerá para ayudar a llevar a que no producimos. cabo su manifiesto. Entre 2008 y 2017, nuestro nivel de vida recibió un El PUP ha sido criticado, tal vez merecidamente, por impulso de los impuestos de los yacimientos petroleros en colocar en puestos clave a varias personas que están Spanish Lookout y los préstamos suaves de Petro Caribe. relacionadas o son demasiado amigas de los líderes del Cuando esas fuentes se secaron, nos quedamos solo con partido. No es inusual que los nuevos gobiernos de todo nuestros tradicionales ingresos extranjeros, y dos de ellos, el mundo contraten a varios de sus leales, y estos los cítricos y los camarones cultivados, debido a nombrados podrían ser las opciones correctas, pero a corto enfermedades, ya no son lo que eran. Luego, la pandemia plazo, en las circunstancias actuales, no podrán demostrar de Covid-19 derribó el turismo y casi de la noche a la su valía. Tenemos que tener las esperanzas, por nuestro mañana el número de beliceños que vivían en un estado bien, que en el futuro demuestren que fueron elegidos empobrecido se duplicó. por su capacidad e integridad y, por lo tanto, reivindiquen Desde que estalló la pandemia en marzo, hemos estado sus elecciones. pidiendo prestado alrededor de $ 1 millón cada día para Ha pasado casi un año desde que la pandemia nos ha pagar nuestras facturas, y no fue una sorpresa para nadie tenido bajo su control, y todo lo que hemos hecho es cuando el primer ministro John Briceño nos dijo que el tapar agujeros. Ahora estamos en una situación realmente presupuesto para el año fiscal 2020/2021 tenía un déficit difícil. $ 500 millones, y contando, es un gran vacío para masivo de $ 500 millones. que un pequeño país como Belize llene. Es habitual que nuestros primeros ministros presenten Si el gobierno no puede encontrar el dinero, y todos los presupuestos con déficits sustanciales. Las estimaciones indicadores dicen que no puede, tendrá que escuchar el presupuestarias para 2019/2020 mostraron que nos faltaban llamado de la comunidad empresarial de que recorte los $ 132,5 millones, y las estimaciones presupuestarias para salarios de sus más de 14.000 empleados. Tal decisión, 2020/2021 mostraron que necesitábamos $ 232,1 millones que parece inevitable, tendrá un impacto negativo en casi para equilibrarlo. todos los demás sectores de este país. El Ministerio de Hacienda estimó que al cierre del año La semana pasada hubo cierta relajación de las rígidas fiscal 2019/2020 nuestra deuda total era de $ 3,536 mil medidas de prevención del Covid-19 que estaban en vigor, millones, o el 90,9% del PIB. Se espera que cuando se y eso fue bien recibido por los vendedores de alimentos presenten las estimaciones presupuestarias en marzo, que ahora pueden instalar sus puestos a lo largo de las nuestra deuda total habrá aumentado a alrededor del 130% calles en áreas pobladas, pero sus ventas serán menores del PIB. si los empleados del gobierno tienen menos para gastar. Las estimaciones presupuestarias para 2019/2020 Un folleto del Instituto de Estadística de Belize (SIB en incluyeron $ 440,6 millones para emolumentos personales inglés) publicado en 2016 mostró que el 60% de las y $ 97,1 millones para pensiones, y las estimaciones para ganancias de las familias beliceñas se gastaba en vivienda, 2020/2021 incluyeron $ 453,8 millones para emolumentos comida y transporte. Las estadísticas de 2016 mostraron personales y $ 95,8 millones para pensiones. que el hogar beliceño promedio gastaba $ 26 de cada $ Cada año, el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI), en su 100 en vivienda, agua, electricidad y butano; $ 20 de cada Informe de País para Belize, pide a nuestros gobiernos que $ 100 se destinaban a pagar alimentos; y $ 14 de cada $ controlen la masa salarial del sector público para reducir 100 se gastaban en transporte. los déficits. La panacea del FMI para los países con déficit En 2021, el costo de los alimentos es mucho más alto es la austeridad, y en 1997 un gobierno UDP hizo caso al que en 2016. El costo de muchos alimentos producidos consejo del FMI y eliminó a 800 personas del erario público. localmente aumentó recientemente debido a las Es un panorama sombrío que nos mira a la cara, una inundaciones del año pasado, pero, afortunadamente, se posición insostenible, y recientemente ha provocado espera que estos precios bajen cuando lleguen nuevas llamadas de todo mundo, particularmente de la comunidad cosechas. El problema es que el costo de los alimentos empresarial, para que el gobierno reduzca su gasto salarial. importados sigue aumentando y, como resultado, los Un par de meses después de la pandemia, las dos beliceños gastan mucho más de su dólar en alimentos que organizaciones registradas de la comunidad empresarial, la en 2016. Cámara de Comercio e Industria (BCCI en inglés) y el Hay que hacer algo, todos lo sabemos, y si nuestros Consejo de Negocios de Belize (BBB en inglés), emitieron líderes deciden que no hay forma de salir de esta crisis sin públicamente llamadas similares. Un documento recortar los salarios de los empleados públicos, durante recientemente filtrado de BBB muestra que han pedido al un tiempo, habrá un mayor daño en todo el país. gobierno que reduzca los salarios hasta en un 15%. Son tiempos difíciles que enfrentamos hoy; nuestros En marzo del año pasado, después de que la pandemia líderes tienen que tomar decisiones muy difíciles, pero si impidiera la llegada de cruceros y aviones llenos de turistas, ponen a nuestro país en primer lugar, pueden hacer que y nuestra economía colapsó, el Primer Ministro, el Honorable nuestra historia tenga un buen final. Pueden reducir en Dean Barrow, pidió prestado en gran medida, hasta donde gran medida este período de dolor si se toman en serio las fue posible, para mantener la vida tal como la conocíamos. prácticas de buena gobernanza y si trazan un rumbo que La esperanza era que la pandemia desapareciera nos incluya a todos, es posible que puedan cumplir su rápidamente, y el Honorable Barrow también quería proteger promesa del manifiesto: que con el PUP todos ganaremos. las posibilidades de su partido en las inminentes elecciones Por el bien de todos, tenemos que orar a Dios y mantener generales. la presión sobre ellos para que tomen las decisiones En los ocho meses en los que el UDP dirigió la economía correctas. Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 9

In my column last weekend, I it out. You will find the list the leader of the National UBAD between mid-1971 and forgot to include the fact that the interesting. Most of the top Independence Party (NIP), by mid-1972, but he vanished after the Republicans I mentioned were also American corporations operate in running as Belize City Council May 29, 1972 insurrection which concerned in late 1972/early 1973 Guatemala through subsidiaries. candidates in the December 1971 led to the arrests and Magistrate’s about what they were told was a In early and middle 1972, the CitCo election in an NIP-UBAD and Supreme Court trials of Black Panther-type movement in ruling People’s United Party (PUP) coalition, it is obvious, especially Norman Fairweather, Michael Hyde Belize, apart from the communist made a series of arrests of UBAD in retrospect, that Lindo gained a (deceased), and Edwardo Burns. branding on Assad Shoman and Said (United Black Association for huge amount of favor with the (Some while after, Kenyatta Musa, young PUP-affiliated Development) leaders and UBAD faithful by defending their returned to Belize and formed his attorneys, by the Chamber of supporters on different charges. In leaders in court just a couple own organization.) Commerce and the incipient United all of these cases, if memory serves months after Mr. Goldson had I have never written this before, Democratic Party (UDP), which me correct, the accused were decided to travel to London to study out of respect for Kimani’s siblings, was first known as the “Unity defended, pro bono, both in law (January 1972). Lindo but I’ve considered him an agent of Congress.” Magistrate’s and Supreme Courts, definitely did not share UBAD’s some sort. He was never an officer Because of a miscommunication by the late Dean Lindo, who was roots politics: he was a hard-core of UBAD, but had his own of sorts, a list of the top United the leader of the People’s conservative. “paramilitary” group of UBAD-ers States corporations in Guatemala in Development Movement (PDM) at The irony in the situation was that he used to train at the old Belizean 1975, numbering more than the time. Mr. Goldson had, presciently, sent Beach. I knew nothing of this, seventy, was not included in last Whereas three UBAD officers, his wife, Hadie, to study law in basically because I was teaching at weekend’s newspaper, but should including myself, had demonstrated London in 1961. She qualified and Wesley College in the 1971/72 appear in the midweek issue. Check our loyalty to Hon. Philip Goldson, was admitted to the bar in 1965, and school year. had that initiative by Mr. Goldson In UBAD in 1972/73, we were paid the dividends he had expected not paying a lot of attention to the it to do, then he himself, already goings on of Nixon and Kissinger experiencing serious eyesight in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. problems, would not have had to go All our focus was on the PUP, study law himself, and it was Mrs. which had “ambushed” a couple of Goldson who would have been our members at St. Mary’s Hall defending us in court instead of the during the counting of the 1971 conservative Lindo, who would CitCo election ballots. In a sense, displace Mr. Goldson as Opposition elements of the PUP had identified leader in 1974, after failing in an UBAD as the real opposition NIP leadership challenge in 1969. danger, not Mr. Philip’s NIP. Another intriguing aspect of that I have always wondered how it era has to do with the Black Panther was that UBAD surfaced just 19 description of the UBAD group. years after the PUP was born in UBAD’s most “Black Pantherish” 1950. The original PUP was a personality, in physique, clothing, genuinely revolutionary and demeanor, was the karate expert movement, from all indications, so Glenn Trapp, who used the African where did UBAD come from? The name of “Kimani Kenyatta.” majority of the youth in the early Kenyatta was highly visible in UBAD were from PUP families, to my mind, whereas UBAD experienced an influx of NIP youth after Norman Fairweather returned from New York to join us in early 1971. The man Nuri Muhammad in his KREM Radio talk show last week touched briefly on the division inside the PUP in the middle 1950s, a division which culminated with the replacement of Leigh Richardson as PUP leader with Rt. Hon. George Price. Ethnicity played a major role in internal PUP upheaval, because of the controversy surrounding the proposal for West Indian Federation put forward by the British. This is a delicate subject. But, I will leave you with this. Ethnicity was probably the major issue in the Guatemalan civil war just west and south of The Jewel between 1960 and 1996. A quarter million Guatemalans died, and very, very few Belizeans knew what the hell was going on next door. They say that ignorance is bliss. This is for you to decide, beloved. Page 10 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Don’tDon’t CutCut thethe PeoplePeople Out!Out!

but truth be told, nothing is It’s a most egregious thing to do to must be able to make a payment. “normal” about these times. the poor and most vulnerable at a Don’t you know that nothing from As a matter of fact, minus the few time when they have lost their grip nothing, leaves nothing? Oh, the complacent persons, by and large the and are struggling to survive. It’s blatant hypocrisy! It’s easy for full reason that a vast number of our like we are “kicking a man who is belly to tell hungry to kip haat, but citizens have not been paying their already down” through no real fault you’ll never understand the utility bills is simply because they of his own. It aches my heart to learn different levels and stages of groans can’t — they can’t afford it. Point of such a travesty, and it rattles me than one goes through day in, day blank. These are some extremely to my core to know that our poor out. critical times, and many of our and vulnerable will be further It’s as simple as this: don’t cut people have lost so much and are subjected to increased destitution. the people out, mein! In many suffering much strife and undue My God, can’t we have and show instances, that’s all they have left. pressure. They simply cannot find mercy on our people in these trying The little water that pours from the the money to pay these bills, hence times? We have got to do better than tap and the jangling bulb that the reason it hasn’t been paid. this! You mean to say that there’s flickers above, giving an all too These people have lost so much no way we can offer some tangible often dim light that mirrors little to and are continuing to lose amid form of reprieve to those who need no hope. Come on, you big giant these turbulent and uncertain times. it? I mean, if they were paying all companies. Have mercy on the poor Over the past week or so, news While many have seemed to move along fairly well and stopped people. Show some heart, not spread like wild brush fire that some on and proceeded seemingly paying 10 months ago, why would muscle. If the people dey cudda mi utility companies would proceed to unaffected with the normal course they need to “come in and prove” pay, dey mi wa done gih unu unu terminate or suspend services to of their lives, a wide cross-section that they need the assistance?? If money! But they can’t. They lost customers who have been of our populace continue to fight they stopped paying, that simply everything. Empathize with them struggling or unable to pay their to survive day to day. Let’s not means they can’t. It’s not rocket and work something out. After all, bills. When the news broke, many forget that wa lotta wi pippl di teck science. aren’t all these companies for the people were frantic and on edge, as wa serious lick and they simply are Regardless of whether the bill is people of this country, anyways? they desperately depend on their unable to make ends meet. fifteen dollars or one hundred and Have mercy, Breda! Don’t cut the utility services. Now, in the normal So, to learn that some utility fifty, if there is a non-payment, it people out! scheme of things, one would be able companies have proceeded to means that they can’t afford it. You Unchained Reflections Of a to understand why the utility terminate and suspend services to can’t in earnest goodwill look at Liberal Pragmatist. companies would terminate or their customers is most someone and tell them that the bill suspend services for non-payment; disheartening and disappointing. is only fifteen dollars and that they God Bless Belize!

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SendSend aa messagemessage toto whom?whom?

by Colin Hyde This party that just handed a right around in the municipals wrong, but the only villages that bankrupt country to a new following and voted in the other might have reported more cases thus At the risk of the UDP Secretariat government is trying to make hay at party. You know, there was a time far are Ladyville and San Felipe. rejecting my application for a party the polls off the fact that we are when we really didn’t know how to There was a point where villagers card when I’m good and ready to fill broke. I think that’s kind of, criminal. handle our vote. We knew what it here thought the ministry would out the form, I want to tell the paati: Instead of sackcloth, they are into a meant, aaright; that’s why we fought have come and locked us off, put us no, there’s no way under God’s skies blame game. Hn, they really might for it, but it took us some time to under strict quarantine like they did that I would give unu my vote this have become more expert at really figure out how to use it. in San Pedro, and I bet that others in March. opposing. They have been accused Why do you think George Price the village, just like me, wondered My, I hear the paati is calling on of being in opposition even when won…whoa, I was going to say if the ministry would consider the the people to send a message to the they win the vote, and if we compare something unflattering about the departments here or they would just PUP in these municipal elections. the time they spent in the House great hero and his politics, but it just blanket everyone together, like we Already? I’m for the four-year term, between 2008 and 2020 discussing popped into my head that the do on election day to choose a village absolutely, but I’m not about PUP business, against the time they grandnephew is in the House now, council. sending any message to a party that spent discussing projects to develop so I had better watch my step. I felt a Prior to Hattie, Camalote was a just won an election. I will want to Belize, a wud a haffu seh da troo. lot safer when the grandniece was farming settlement, and its capital talk when the next municipals roll They left the coffers bare. What the lone flag carrier there. was Roaring Creek, which is a around, but for now I’ll send a note, did Francis say Dean said when he Brother Delroy, dat deh kind of couple miles to the east. Most of the not a vote, to remind them of all the looked at the numbers? Deluge! It’s reverse voting was when we neva original residents of Camalote lived good things that they promised in a debacle they left behind, and they know betta. I don’t buy voting in a on the banks of the Belize River, but their manifesto. want to blame the Blue crowd for government and then immediately a company, Machete Nile, owned the In the realm of most needs, that. Come on, the PUP has sins taking away municipal bodies from land, and a time came when the remember Mr. Macbeth, when he enough; it can’t be fair to pile on sins them. Ouch to this suggestion that colonial government ordered the said after executing the foul deed that on top of sins. By the way, the people municipal bodies could function people to vacate. Most of the his lady love set him up to do that he said 13 years on the sidelines were like, like check and balance. families were given 10, 15 and 20- had most need of blessing and amen enough. Municipal bodies work for the acre blocks alongside the now stuck in his throat? Well, guess who Hmm, I notice even a little history upkeep of a city or town. They don’t George Price Highway. is in most need of another trashing has been thrown into the pot. have the purpose of a senate. Incidentally, my father-in-law got at the polls. Gimme a U, gimme a Brother Delroy is around and about Municipal bodies don’t scrutinize the absolute worst block. That’s D, gimme a P, it is the UDP that saying that it has happened before that laws, they don’t question because he was too young when the needs that most! we voted in a government and turned government spending, and they don’t first parcels were being given out, make Special Committees to pry into and when he came of age there was the felonious practice of only one that remained, a parcel the mishandling of passports. government had used to mine and The time will come to fight the store white marl when the highway PUP, because absolute power was being improved. corrupts absolutely, or because they One of my professions is farmer, have grown stale and the promises and when I went to live on a piece from the other party are just too of my father-in-law’s land, naturally good to resist, or because they stray I planted. The old folk in Camalote from their promises. teased me. They said, Colin is a Can you recall any party getting the farmer, but his coconuts and heave ho recently because they plantains will bear underground. The strayed from their promises? Bingo, land within a couple hundred yards you got it. There was a crowd that of the road was that bad. One of these promised to cut out corruption with days, God spare life, I’ll explain why a sharp machete, and to give us a 13th I didn’t go deeper into the bush to senator so we could begin to have a try and find some better soil. proper check on the doings of the Anyway, about Camalote, in time people who control the House of some of the owners of the parcels Representatives. Boy, did we get had. subdivided their plots, to share with Madam Speaker, I don’t give their children and grandchildren, and weight to this call from the UDP to the government turned some of the send a message to your crowd ataal. land it still had in the village into It is the UDP that needs a message, residential lots. One mile west of so it fully sinks in that November where I live there’s a community 2020 was no error. If the message called Ranch; a half-mile from me is wasn’t to tell the PUP we believe in another settlement, behind our their kind a love, then it was to tell primary school, St. Jude R.C.; and a the UDP to go and reform their ways, couple hundred yards from me, on the to go shed their baggage and renew side of the road opposite from where dehnself. I live, is another residential area. One mile east of where I live there The four, five, or six is a settlement, at Young Bank. There hamlets in Camalote is a Young Gal in Teakettle, and Young Bank in Camalote. Half a Those of us who study the daily mile from where I live there is infographics put out by the Ministry another settlement and, gradually, of Health and Wellness, and maybe this settlement and the one at Young all Belizean adults are in the study Bank are merging. Hmm, someday group, will have noticed that among when you visit Camalote you’ll have villages reporting cases, Camalote to say which part of the village you wasn’t last on the list. I could be were in. Page 12 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021 UBAD’s 52nd anniversary BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 9, 2020 Belisle, Galento and myself), we Today marks the 52nd chose a name for the organization anniversary of the founding of the — The United Black Association United Black Association for for Development -- UBAD. Development (UBAD) in 1969. “On Sunday the 9th February In August of 1969, UBAD began 1969 we all piled into Arnold’s to publish the newspaper Land Rover and went to his farm at AMANDALA as its information Mile 26 on the Northern Highway organ. to write a constitution for the As a result of the arrests of the organization. Most of the AMANDALA publisher at the time, constitution work, patterned Ismail Omar Shabazz, and editor, basically on the UNIA constitution, Evan X Hyde, both UBAD officers, was done by Lionel Clarke. Clarke on seditious conspiracy charges in was elected president. I was elected February of 1970, and their first vice-president, Robert subsequent acquittal in Supreme Livingston second vice-president, Court in July of 1970, UBAD made Wilhelm Arnold treasurer, Ismail the decision to constitute itself as a Shabazz assistant treasurer, George political party in August of 1970. Flowers secretary, Penny Casasola The UBAD Party was formally assistant secretary, Louis Belisle, dissolved in November of 1974. Charles X Eagan, Galento Neal and Following is an excerpt from a Alfred Faber councillors. book by Evan X Hyde, THE “Of those elected, only Justice, CROWD CALLED UBAD, which Belisle and Faber were not present discusses the birth of UBAD. at the meeting at Arnold’s farm. “Well, Wilhelm Arnold he started Silky Stewart was at the meeting rapping that it was best we write a but refused to accept office. No one constitution and form ourselves could understand it at the time. But into a body with rules and now we do. Stewart was a spy.” regulations. Everyone agreed. At a - from pgs. 12, 13, THE meeting held at Arnold’s office on CROWD CALLED UBAD, by North Front Street (present were Evan X Hyde, Modern Printers, Shabazz, Arnold, Livingston, 1970.

AMANDALA - The best there is! Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 13 Contingency fund created by GOB

BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 purpose, not necessarily for disaster The Government of Belize passed management and relief and such a bill to amend the Finance and Audit matters. They can then decide to put Reform Act so that a contingency that in this contingency fund, fund can be created. According to Madam Speaker, and then they can Prime Minister Briceño, this will remove it.” allow the Government to utilize The amendment outlines that the these funds in times of unforeseen contingency fund will not be emergencies. In presenting the bill, contained within the Consolidated Hon. Briceño said that this will also Revenue Fund and will be kept in a allow the Government to stay within separate account overseen by the the purview of the Finance and Audit Accountant General. The Leader of Reform Act and avoid unauthorized the Opposition also claimed that too spending of state funds. much discretionary power is being The Leader of the Opposition, given to the Ministry of Finance in Hon. Patrick Faber, said that the connection with this amendment. amendments are redundant, since In his response, Prime Minister provisions already exist in specific Briceño explained that the massive areas of the legislation to remedy the rains and extended drought seen issue which the new amendment to over recent years are considered the act seeks to address. “This unforeseen circumstances. He particular insertion establishes the asserted that if the UDP contingencies fund, and if you study administration had such a the Finance and Audit Act, you will mechanism in place, they would see that there are already some funds have been able to assist the farmers established in somewhat the same affected by the unpredictable format like what is established here.” climatic conditions. Hon. Faber countered. The PM also mentioned that all According to Hon. Faber, the warrants issued to spend monies amendments merely mirror some of from the contingency fund will the provisions that already exist in have to be reported at the next principle in the act. House of Representatives meeting The contingency fund would after the warrant was issued. He contain monies that have been set also said that, as Minister of aside for public emergencies under Finance, his office is tasked with section 18 of the Constitution. the responsibility to issue and Public emergencies can be declared oversee all warrants issued from in Belize in three scenarios: at a time the contingency fund. of war, by a force declaration of the “We want to ensure that those Governor-General, or if there is a special warrants that are given force resolution from the National illegally, and as we just saw when Assembly, triggered by the the honorable member from Cayo subversive restriction of democratic South, and I took your Prime institutions. Minister [to court] for spending In his remarks, Hon. Faber over 1 billion dollars…we want to asserted that the amendment would see to stop that action, and the way allow the Government of Belize to you do that is by setting up the divert any grant donations to the contingency fund, and with the contingency fund. “What [part c] necessary rules on how we are does basically, it says that, yes, you going to manage it. The most can use grants, as long as they are important thing is, is that when we not earmarked for public spend that money because there is emergencies, disaster management, an emergency, in the next House and relief. Let’s say, Taiwan or meeting we have to come and another friendly nation to Belize report to all of you in this House.” decides to give a grant for general Prime Minister Briceño said. “Kill BIL”, says Hon. Espat

Continued from Page 1 Minister has directed that a new, „ albeit temporary, board be before the year 2019/2020 had appointed for BIL. According to been purged, because, according to Espat, the new board has decided the claims they reportedly made to to suspend all the activities of the the Ministry, “they didn’t have company. space.” “The new board has found it in “The laws of Belize are quite the interest of the people of Belize clear; any private company should to suspend all business activities that have its financials for the last 6 BIL is doing for the next six years,” Espat continued. He months. The new board of directors outlined that the Ministry is still has decided that they will suspend unable to provide the proper the General Manager upon a documentation for various projects carried out by BIL. The Prime Please turn to„Page 19 Page 14 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021

“Press” Predictions: 68-24-44 Boledo stats thru 9th to 16th February The UTAH Jazz have the best by Gilroy “Press” Cadogan In boledo news, 01 finally played record at 18-5 after 1 year and 1 month and 1 week. NBA Results and Predictions These are my lucky numbers for this In NBA action, the Utah Jazz and up the hill week: 68-24-44-56-79-17. These Donovan Mitchell are leading the until the are my lucky jackpot numbers: league with the best overall record, finish, 2845-7611-0758. These are my they are 18-5. The LA Lakers and Porte lucky PICK-3 numbers: 790-842- the LA came 631-585-102. Get ready Belize, Clippers alone on some dinero will be coming our are at the that very way. The eighties series played second long some 7 times already, the ending 0 spot. They climb. This cycling season will be ball played some 7 times already are both of the quarterback, the Buccaneers very competitive, because the field also. There are 6 numbers that 17-6. The Defense played above expectations. will be balanced; next week more played some 2 times already, 03-10- Lakers Rakeem Nunez Roches from stats. 36-41-80 and 82. The thirties series beat the Detroit Pistons by some 6 Belize got his first Super Bowl has played some 6 times already, points, Lebron James had 34 points ring. He will be in Belize very last year the thirties series 12 rebounds and 8 assists, he had a soon, he lives in beautiful dominated 39 times, 31 did play 8 triple double against the Denver Dangriga, they are proud of him times. 59 has been out for over 1 Nuggets and Nikola Jokic aka the right now; the game had a lot of year 8 months 1 week and 2 days Joker. James has the MVP numbers fans. The Kansas City Chiefs Manchester United crushed now, all of the leading series and right now, he is seeking his 5th MVP defense did not play as anticipated. Southampton 9-nil ending balls have been completed, in the regular season. Michael Brady is the most decorated player International football results 47 and 49 are still out over 1 year Jordan’s the NFL has ever seen, he beat the In international football action, and more, 79 will be out this week. birthday best 3 QBs in a row, Drew Brees, the EPL is the most competitive and There are still 10 numbers left to will be on Aaron Rodgers and Patrick most exciting league in the world, play since last year. Remember to the 17th of Mahomes, the hghest paid athlete Manchester United crushed read your Psalms: 75-91-63, next February, right now; next season the fans will Southampton 9 goals to nil, Mason week more stats. he turns be back. Greenwood scored one of the 9 58 years goals, there were 7 different players old. The that scored in that win, they also East has drew with Everton 3 to 3. They are some still in the top 2 best teams in the parity right now, the Philadelphia Peter Sagan is the highest paid EPL. Then Manchester City Deshawn Nembhard will be the 76ers and coach Doc Rivers are cyclist crushed Liverpool 4 goals to 1, sweeper leading the East with a record of International cycling updates Raheem Sterling scored one of the Local football updates and 17-6, Joel Embiid is playing very In International cycling news, the 4 goals, Brazilian midfielder Thiago predictions well. There are a lot of very close new cycling season has started. is still one In local games right now. The Milwaukee There are 22 teams that registered of the best football Bucks and the Boston Celtics are for this year, each team has about midfielder news, the at 2 and the third spot. The Indiana 40 cyclists. Then the coach for each in the Belize Pacers are also playing very well; team makes a decision on who will world National next week more stats. participate in the Giro De Italia, the today. Team is Vuelta De Spain and the Tour De Aston just 43 France. Those are the 3 biggest Villa days away races on the calendar, these 3 races shocked from last for 1 month each, all of the rest Arsenal 1- playing of tours only last 1 week. Peter nil, then Haiti in Sagan of team Movistar is the Brighton Haiti on Tom Brady won his 7th Super highest paid cyclist in the world at drew with the 25th of Bowl 5 million pounds a year. Chris Burnley 1 March. NFL 55th Super Bowl Results Froome has a new team named goal apiece. The EPL games are very Deshawn Nembhard who plays in In NFL action, the 55th Super Israel Start-Up Nation. All of the entertaining right now, Manchester the league just below the MLS will Bowl was in Tampa-Bay Florida, big name City leads the table with 50 points, be sweeping for us, John Nembhard where the Buccaneers played their teams will followed by Man-U with 45 points, is his father, former big custom home games. Tom Brady beat be in the Leicester City with 43 points, and officer. The team will have 9 Patrick Mahomes 31 to 9. He had first big Liverpool with 42 points. In the La International players alongside 3 TD passes, he was the Super tour on the Liga, Atletico Madrid leads by some goalkeeper Woodrow West, Bowl MVP for the 5TH time of his 1st of 10 points over both Real Madrid and Norman Anderson, Jr., Makin and career, he April, FC Barcelona. Luis Suarez leads the Krisean Lopez. The team will be has now Primoz league with 14 goals, Lionel Messi very young and fast; coach Dale won 7 Roglic and has 13 goals, Kareem Benzema has Pelayo has a future with young Super Tadej 11 goals. Villareal and Real talent. Next week more updates. Bowl in Pogacar Sociedad are in the top 5 best teams. 21 years at will go at In Ligue One in France, Lyon and the age of it again, but there is a new kid on Lille have a 3-point lead on PSG and Visit us at 43, he has the block from Slovenia, Phlatt, Neymar Jr. Monaco is also playing www.amandala.com.bz all of the records in the play-offs. only 23 years old, he held Richie very well, that league has some parity Coach Bruce Arians is very proud Porte of team Ineos in the last race right now; next week more stats. Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 15 Central Bank Amendment Bill passed BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 be able to make monies available, The National Assembly passed into cheaper money to the business who, law, on Friday, February 5, an [through] no fault of theirs, [is] in dire amendment to the Central Bank Act straits. So I want to make it clear, this to empower the regulator to provide is no money whereby you are a friend financial programs and facilities of a friend of the minister or the during times of economic crisis. government or anything and you “What we want to do this time could go and borrow money. It’s not around is give the Central Bank of like that. It’s just dealing with Belize the opportunity that during companies that will produce foreign extraordinary times like now, they can currency and jobs and that they can have access to pools of money to be demonstrate that they were a viable able to provide funding during company before Covid-19 and that difficult times like right now,” Prime now through no fault of theirs, they Minister Briceño said. are at the brink of bankruptcy,” the The programs and facilities which Prime Minister explained. will be made available by the Central He outlined that the Government Bank when necessary will have to be of Belize is putting aside 10 million approved by the Minister of Finance dollars with hopes that the Central Leader of the Opposition, Hon. example, those in the tourism and and the Central Bank board. “What Bank will be able to raise another Patrick Faber, said that this agriculture industries. He said that the we are trying to do right now is make 40 million dollars to put inside this amendment to the Central Bank Bill injection of funds will reduce those money cheaper,” the Prime Minister new fund. “What we are going to do will cause the institution, which is companies’ cost of operation and said. as a government, that we are going mandated to act as a regulator, to increase production, employment, Hon. Briceño said that these to put a 10 million dollars seed become involved in the day- to-day and ultimately revenue. He also noted changes will give the Central Bank money from central government and dealings of our domestic finances. that these tools are not new to the leverage to inject “cheaper” put it in that fund with the Central “The best way to put it is that the economics, adding that the United money into the domestic financial Bank and hoping that the Central banking world is a game, and you States of America implemented system, money that businesses will Bank can raise another 40 million have players and referees. The similar instruments through its then be able to access if they meet the dollars, which then would come up regulator is the referee, and the Federal Reserve to offset the effects requirement and have the approval with at least 50 million dollars that regulator is watching what is going of the 2008 economic crisis. from the Ministry of Finance and the would be able to assist companies on, but when the referee gets in the “It is not a case of the referee, as board of the Central Bank. that help produce US dollars and game, if it’s football we are talking was alluded to, taking one side or the “By making these changes, then, it jobs in agriculture, BPOs, and about, and the regulator starts to kick other in the game. On the contrary, it will allow the Central Bank then to tourism,” Hon. Briceño said. the ball, we have problems. When the is a situation where the game has referee starts to play, we have stopped. There has been a tornado difficulty,” Hon. Faber commented. inside of the football field, and now Top U.S. corporations in In further explaining the bill, the the referee must get up and try and area representative for Dangriga, and help the players to stand up again. In Minister of State in the Ministry of this case, if the referee doesn’t do Guatemala in 1975 Education, Hon. Louis Zabaneh, something to help, the referee pointed out that the bill targets becomes a part of the problem,” he 1. Abbott Labs 40. Johnson & Johnson entities earning foreign exchange, for said. 2. American Cyammid 41. Kellogg 3. American International Group 42. Koppers Co. 4. Bank of America 43. Max Factor New Chairman of the National 5. Bank of California 44. Miles Laboratory 6. Beatrice Foods 45.Minnesota Mining & AIDS Commission (NAC) 7. Bemix Manufacturing 8. Bendix Corporation 46. Monsanto effort to minimize the spread of 9. Boise Cascade 47. Nabisco HIV while providing support for 10. Bristol Myers 48. National Cash Register those living with HIV/AIDS. 11. Celanese Corporation 49. Otis Elevator Co. Dr. Solorzano has spent over 30 12. Central Soya 50. Pan American World Airways years of his life in the medical field. 13. Cheesebrough Foods 51. PET He previously worked with the Pan American Health Organization 14. Cluett, Peabody 52. Pfizer Inc. (PAHO) as a Maternal and Family 15. Coca Cola 53. Philip Morris Child Health Consultant, and also 16. Colgate Palmolive 54. Pillsbury acted as Clinical Director at the San 17. Colt Industries 55. Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Pedro Polyclinic II, and as Deputy 18. CFC International 56. Ralston Purina Director of Health Services at the 19. Dart Industries 57. Revlon Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital 20. Del Monte 58. Richardson-Merrell, Inc. (KHMH), where he was responsible for ensuring quality of treatment. 21. Dravo 59. Riviana Foods Dr. Solorzano has also 22. Eli Lilly & Co. 60. SCM by Dayne Guy previously served as an appointee 23. ESS 61. Singer of the Government of Belize. In 24. EXXON 62. Squibb BELIZE CITY. Fri. Feb. 5, 2021 October 1991, he had been 25. Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. 63. Standard Brands Dr. Giovanni Solorzano, a local appointed as a member of the 26. First National Bank of Boston 64. Standard Oil, California doctor who is a San Pedro resident, National Steering Health Reform 27. Foremost-McKesson 65. Stanley Works has been appointed to be the new Committee. chairperson of the National AIDS As of Wednesday, February 3, 28. H. S. Fuller Co. 66. Sterling Drugs Commission (NAC)/Country 2021, Dr. Solorzano officially 29. General Mills 67. Tappan Co. Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). replaced the previous NAC 30. GENESCO Inc. 68. TEXACO The National AIDS Commission chairperson, and former Speaker of 31. Gillette 69. UAL of Belize aims to provide recent and the House of Representatives, Mrs. 32. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 70. United Brands relevant information on HIV for Laura Tucker-Longsworth. 33. Gulf Oil Corporation 71. U.S. Freight persons living with, or at risk of A press release issued by the 34. Gulf & Western Industries 72. U.S. Steel contracting the virus, as well as Office of the Prime Minister states, health professionals, and other “The NAC/CCM welcomes the 35. Hanna Mining 73. Universal Foods stakeholders in the HIV response. appointment of Dr. Solorzano and 36. Helena Rubinstein 74. Upjohn In his capacity as chairperson of the looks forward to working closely 37. Hobart Manufacturing 75. Warner Lambert commission, Dr. Solorzano will with him to drive the country’s 38. I. B. M. 76. Weyerhaeuser monitor and facilitate Belize’s response to HIV/AIDS and 39. I. T. T. 77. Xerox response to HIV and AIDS, in an tuberculosis forward.” Page 16 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Rakeem Nunez Roches became the first Garifuna Belizean American to win a Super Bowl Championship

by effort players have to put in practice Wellington to win their games. Plus, when you C. Ramos. win everybody is happy, and when you lose everybody is angry. In every Mon. Feb. 8, sport players expect to win or lose, 2021 but their minds are more focused on From the winning rather than losing. time the Rakeem Nunez Roches has now Garifuna and won the Super Bowl and I know that Belizean people heard that Rakeem is the greatest feeling of his life. It is Nunez Roches’ team the Tampa Bay a dream that all players yearn for, to Buccaneers were going to play in win a championship. This is a story Super Bowl-LV (55), Garifuna and he can now tell for the rest of his Belizean Americans were all excited life. Before him, thousands of to see this game and they were glued players played his sport and to their televisions yesterday. I unfortunately they were not lucky to started watching the game from the win one Super Bowl. For those who beginning and the way Tampa Bay are still playing, there is still a was playing, I got the feeling that possibility that they can win a Super they were going to win the game. Bowl, but it is not a guarantee. We Their offensive and defensive game all should be happy for him and was in full force and they played applaud the entire staff and players like hungry lions. 2001-2019, where he won six Super that team spirit in order to win. for this major accomplishment. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Bowl championships. By winning Anything that happens to one player two things going for them which are: this Super Bowl, he is now the first affects all the players and staff of the (AMANDALA Sports Ed. Note: the home court advantage and their football player to win seven Super team. Most players did not win games Belizeans everywhere, even Chiefs quarterback, Tom Brady. He can be Bowl championships. To be a and championships because they and Mahomes fans, can’t help but considered as one of the best quarterback to leave a team that he were not outstanding players in their celebrate the great accomplishment quarterbacks ever to play football in was with for so many years, and then sports. Many of them gave their of Garifuna Belizean American, history. According to football win the Super Bowl in a short space games all they could have possibly Rakeem Nunez Roches. Maximum history, only two football teams had of time is also a major given, but still lost some of the respect!! The picture at the top is ever played the Super Bowl on their accomplishment. games. from Rakeem’s days with the Chiefs. homecourts. They are the San When Rakeem Nunez Roches first Other players’ performances, The picture below with his #56 is as Francisco-49ers when they played came into the NFL he was drafted coaching, players’ mistakes, lack of a member of Super Bowl LV Super Bowl-XIX and won, and the by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 mental determination to win, injuries champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.) Los Angeles Rams when they played and played for them up until 2017. and other factors can cause teams to in Super Bowl-XIV and also won. After two years with that team, they lose their games. I want all The Super Bowl-LV (55) played traded him to the Indianapolis Colts the young people who are yesterday, made the Buccaneers the who then traded him to the Tampa playing sports to remember third football team to play the Super Bay Buccaneers where he has played this. For me, I came to play, Bowl on their home court and won. since. and my focus was always on It is now historical that all the teams He was given the opportunity to winning against all the that have played the Super Bowl on play against his old team, the Kansas teams I played against. I did their homecourts have won their City Chiefs, which from my own not care if they were my games. experience playing football (soccer) relatives, friends or former Before coming to the Tampa Bay was an emotional stress. When a teammates. Losing is always Buccaneers, Tom Brady was the player joins a team, they all become the most difficult thing for quarterback for the New England members of one family. They must any player to deal with Patriots for nineteen years, from look out for each other to develop because of the amount of Leon Spinks Jr., boxing legend who once defeated Muhammad Ali, dies at 67 Ali in one of the biggest upsets in Michael Spinks, competed Heavyweight Champion and boxing history, has died at the age alongside him and also took home becoming the only boxer to win a of 67. the gold in another division. He title from Ali in the ring. According to the KNTV, Spinks finished his amateur career with a The pair clashed again in a died Friday evening in Las Vegas 178-7 record with 133 of those rematch later that same year, costing after a five-year battle with multiple wins being knockouts. Spinks his WBC title after losing cancers. His wife Brenda Glur Spinks’ greatest moment of to Ali in a 15-round unanimous Spinks was with him at the time of notoriety, however, came in 1978 decision. his death. during his professional career when, Spinks ended his career after Reid Nakamura Spinks competed as a with just seven professional fighting in 46 professional matches, professional boxer between 1977 matches under his belt, he went up winning 26. In the ’90s, he turned TheWrap, Sat. Feb. 6, 2021 and 1995, after winning the light against Muhammad Ali. Spinks to a different kind of fighting — Leon Spinks Jr., the boxer best heavyweight gold medal at the 1976 defeated Ali in a split decision, known for defeating Muhammad Olympics in Montreal. His brother, taking the title of Undisputed Please turn to„Page 18 Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 17

KREM Television BIL’s Christy Mastry Program Guide responds to Hon. Espat’s Shoa Wiself, Si Wiself, Bee Wiself!!! Questions or comments may be forwarded via email to allegations Phone: 202-5848 [email protected] Continued from Page 1 and was evaluated according to the „ QCBS (Quality-Cost-Based Tuesday February 9, 2021 to Monday February 15, 2021 Espat claimed that BIL spent over Selection), with the current joint $100 million on projects, with venture team offering the lowest about 80% of that sum going to a qualifying evaluated bid. BIL stands TUESDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) company at which Mastry was by this process. The cost of the 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) employed and in which she was a contract again is the Building 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) partner — International (14,547,184.06) and Car Park 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now Environments (i.E.). Mastry denied (1,132,534.38) shared by the joint 2:00 p.m. Movie: 42 outrightly not only this claim, but venture contractors.” 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) also Espat’s assertions that Minister Espat had also claimed 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now International Environments had that as BIL general manager, Mastry 8:00 p.m. Documentary: Why and How Did Europe Twist African History access to the Smart Stream platform made certain purchases without the 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) used by Government and that she, approval of the board of directors. in her capacity as General Manager In reference to this claim, the release WEDNESDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) of BIL, approved financial states, “The General Manager of 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) transactions of the government BIL has never had financial 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) agency unilaterally. autonomy. The Company was 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now In Mastry’s statement, she also established with secondary check 2:00 p.m. Movie: One Life attempted to clarify references that 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) signing and there is no possible 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) were made by Hon. Espat to the scenario in which the General 7:00 p.m. Belizean Music Videos reported deletion of financial Manager could purchase any item 7:30 p.m. Local Show - You And The Law records by the company. She referred [without] requisite signature and 8:30 p.m. Documentary: When, Why and How Europe Twisted History to the statements made by Hon. the Ministry of Finance allocations 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) Espat to the deletion of these of fiscal space.” THURSDAY records as a misrepresentation of The release explains that the 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) what occurred and went on to make instance noted by the Ministry 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) four points regarding the operations involves an ongoing purchase and is 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) of BIL to address any distortions of a singularity. 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: The Great Debaters the true nature of BIL’s business “Every annual audit (as BIL 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) practices that she believes were maintains) is presented to the Board 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) presented in Hon. Espat’s address. for review. One board member 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now Firstly, it was noted that the newly reference the purchase of two 8:00 p.m. Belizean Legend: Ras Indio appointed board of BIL, which no replacement vehicles for BIL staff. 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) longer has representation from the It was known by the Board that BIL FRIDAY Belize Chamber of Commerce and was assigned two vehicles at its 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) the unions, is currently awaiting its inception of 2013. These vehicles 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) mandate. She then started by are property of the Ministry of 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) addressing the allegation that BIL Finance by way of BIL. In 2017 the 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now 2:00 p.m. Movie: Harriet had access to the Smart Stream Ministry of Finance approved the 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) platform. “Belize Infrastructure purchase of two replacement 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) Limited was accused of using Smart vehicles,” the release notes. 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now Stream, the government’s central The last allegation addressed by 8:00 p.m. Documentary: The Africans: A Triple Heritage: Program 1 - payment platform, for its own the release is Hon. Espat’s assertion The Nature of a Continent 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) operations. BIL was not, is not, nor that BIL “destroyed” its financial ever has been connected to the GOB records prior to 2019/2020 due to SATURDAY Smart stream platform,” Mastry’s what it claimed was a lack of space. 9:00 a.m. Documentary: Internet Hackers release states. The release further Mastry’s release states that BIL has 9:51 p.m. Movie: A Time to Kill declared that no employee or done annual audits, published by the 12:21 p.m. Documentary: Gill Net 12:35 p.m. Movie: Emma affiliate of BIL has ever used or had Grant Thornton auditing firm, since 2:39 p.m. Documentary: GMO OMG access to the system. 2014, its first year, which can be 4:04 p.m. Movie: Thy Will Be Done The release then goes on to deny found online. According to the 5:32 p.m. Documentary: Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom Hon. Espat’s allegation that BIL release, BIL’s budget allocation 7:53 p.m. Movie: Tigertail gave most of its contracts to a includes the cost of all public 8:00 p.m. Music Videos company in which she was a partner sporting facilities, and now also SUNDAY — i.E. “The General Manager of includes the Lake Independence 10:30 a.m. Sunday Review (LIVE) BIL has never engaged in a Master Plan and the Ministry of 12:00 p.m. Movie: Greater partnership with International Finance building project that is 2:10 p.m. Documentary: Is Genesis History? Environments LTD. This remains 3:55 p.m. Movie: The Road to Galveston currently under investigation by 5:30 p.m. Sunday Review (repeat) another indisputable fact,” says the GOB. 7:00 p.m. Sunday Jazz release. “The operations of the office 8:00 p.m. Music Videos In the release Mastry states that remain at approximately 4% while she did work with the firm overhead. All other funds go directly MONDAY 6:30 a.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (LIVE) (i.E.) for a short time, most of her to the projects and this remains 9:00 a.m. Morning Stew (LIVE) work has been with the Government reflected in all the annual audits 12:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) of Belize. She then, in reference to showing all financials of the 1:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now the construction of a new Ministry company,” the release states. 2:00 p.m. Movie: One Last Prayer of Finance building, which has In her release Mastry did 3:30 p.m. Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes (repeat) 6:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (LIVE) currently come under scrutiny by acknowledge that the company 7:00 p.m. News Broadcast: Democracy Now the new government due to what disposed of “redundant files” 8:00 p.m. Documentary: The Africans: A Triple Heritage: Program 3 - appears to be a bloated price tag, associated with the office’s operation New Gods stated, “The project was advertised when the audits were completed. 9:00 p.m. Krem TV Evening News (repeat) in all local papers and within “No files relating to projects were CARICOM under the NCB rules destroyed,” the release said. Page 18 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021

En mi columna el fin de semana Desarrollo) por diferentes cargos. 1961. Ella calificó y fue admitida que le había “tendido una pasado, olvidé incluir el hecho de En todos estos casos, si no me falla en la barra de abogados en 1965, y emboscada” a un par de nuestros que los republicanos que mencioné la memoria, los imputados fueron esa iniciativa del Sr. Goldson pagó miembros en el Salón Santa María también estaban preocupados a defendidos, pro bono, tanto en la los dividendos que él había durante el conteo de los votos de fines de 1972 y principios de 1973 Magistratura como en la Corte esperado que pagara, entonces él la elección municipal de la Ciudad por lo que se les dijo que era un Suprema, por el finado Dean mismo, ya experimentando serios de Belize de 1971. En cierto movimiento tipo Pantera Negra en Lindo, quien en ese momento era problemas de visión, no habría sentido, elementos del PUP habían Belize, además de la marca el líder del Movimiento de tenido que ir a estudiar derecho, y identificado a UBAD como el real comunista sobre Assad Shoman y Desarrollo del Pueblo (People’s fue la Sra. Goldson quien nos peligro opositor, no al NIP del Sr. Said Musa, jóvenes abogados Development Movement, PDM). habría estado defendiendo en la Philip. afiliados al PUP, por la Cámara de Mientras que tres oficiales de corte en lugar del conservador Siempre me he preguntado cómo Comercio y el incipiente Partido UBAD, incluso yo, habíamos Lindo, quien desplazaría a Goldson fue que UBAD surgió solo 19 Demócrata Unido (United demostrado nuestra lealtad al como líder de la oposición en años después de que naciera el PUP Democratic Party, UDP), que en un Honorable Philip Goldson, líder 1974, después de fracasar en un en 1950. El original PUP fue un principio se conocía como el del Partido de la Independencia desafío de liderazgo del NIP en movimiento genuinamente “Congreso de la Unidad.” Nacional (NIP), al postularnos 1969. revolucionario, según todos los Debido a una especie de falta de como candidatos al Concejo Otro aspecto intrigante de esa indicios, entonces, ¿de dónde vino comunicación, una lista de las Municipal de la Ciudad de Belize época tiene que ver con la UBAD? La mayoría de los jóvenes principales corporaciones en la elección municipal de descripción de Pantera Negra del de la temprana UBAD eran de estadounidenses en Guatemala en diciembre de 1971 en una grupo UBAD. La personalidad de familias PUP, en mi opinión, 1975, que suman más de setenta, coalición NIP-UBAD, es obvio, UBAD que más aparentaba el de mientras que UBAD experimentó no se incluyó en el periódico del especialmente en retrospectiva, “pantera negra”, en físico, una afluencia de jóvenes NIP fin de semana pasado, pero debería que Lindo ganó una gran cantidad vestimenta y comportamiento, fue después de que Norman aparecer en la edición de mediados de favor con los fieles de UBAD el experto en kárate Glenn Trapp, Fairweather regresó de Nueva de semana. Échenle un vistazo. al defender a sus líderes en los que usaba el nombre africano de York para unirse a nosotros a Encontrarán interesante la lista. La tribunales apenas un par de meses “Kimani Kenyatta”. Kenyatta fue principios de 1971. mayoría de las principales después de que Goldson decidiera muy visible en UBAD entre El hombre Nuri Muhammad en corporaciones estadounidenses viajar a Londres para estudiar mediados de 1971 y mediados de su programa de entrevistas de operan en Guatemala a través de derecho (enero de 1972). Lindo 1972, pero desapareció después de Radio KREM la semana pasada se subsidiarias. definitivamente no compartía las la insurrección del 29 de mayo de refirió brevemente a la división A principios y mediados de raíces políticas de UBAD: era un 1972 que condujo a los arrestos y dentro del PUP a mediados de la 1972, el gobernante Partido Unido conservador incondicional. los juicios en la Magistratura y década de 1950, una división que del Pueblo (PUP) realizó una serie La ironía de la situación era que Tribunal Supremo de Norman culminó con el reemplazo de Leigh de arrestos de líderes y el Sr. Goldson, proféticamente, Fairweather, Michael Hyde Richardson como líder del PUP simpatizantes de UBAD (la había enviado a su esposa, Hadie, (fallecido) y Edwardo Burns. por el Muy Honorable George Asociación Negra Unida para el a estudiar derecho en Londres en (Algún tiempo después, Kenyatta Price. La etnia jugó un papel regresó a Belize y formó su propia importante en la agitación interna organización). del PUP, debido a la controversia Nunca había escrito esto antes, en torno a la propuesta Federación New NTUCB executive por respeto a los hermanos de de las Indias Occidentales Kimani, pero lo he considerado un presentada por los británicos. Este team elected agente de algún tipo. Nunca fue un es un tema delicado. oficial de UBAD, pero tenía su Pero los dejo con esto. La etnia propio grupo “paramilitar” de fue probablemente el tema UBAD-eres que solía entrenar en principal en la guerra civil la antigua Playa Beliceña. No sabía guatemalteca justo al oeste y al sur nada de esto, básicamente porque de La Joya entre 1960 y 1996. Un estaba enseñando en el Colegio cuarto de millón de guatemaltecos Wesley en el año escolar 1971/72. murieron, y muy, muy pocos En UBAD en 1972/73, no beliceños sabían qué demonios prestábamos mucha atención a los estaba pasando al otro lado de la sucesos de Nixon y Kissinger en frontera. Dicen que la ignorancia Vietnam, Laos y Camboya. Todo es una bendición. Esto es para que nuestro enfoque estaba en el PUP, lo decidan ustedes, queridos.

by Dayne Guy Vice President; Trisha Perez was Leon Spinks Jr., boxing legend elected as education director; and BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 1, 2021 Ella Waight was elected as assistant who once defeated... The National Trade Union general secretary. Leona Flowers Congress of Belize (NTUCB) held (trustee) and Phillipa McDonald Continued from Page 16 doctors said was likely caused by their 54th annual general meeting were also elected to serve with „ repeated blows to the head during his virtually on January 30 and 31, Martinez on the new NTUCB board. winning the world title for Frontier career that resulted in slurred speech. 2021, under the theme: “NTUCB: They join returning board Martial-Arts Wrestling in 1992 and He was diagnosed with advanced Overcoming the Challenges, Living members Clifford Martinez, 1st making him only the second man in prostate cancer in May 2019, which our Purpose, Realizing Meaningful Vice President; Patrick Balan, history to hold titles in both boxing later spread to his bladder. Reforms.” general secretary; Jorge Mejia, and wrestling. Twenty-five years later, World Boxing Council president At the meeting, elections were treasurer; Dean Flowers, auditor; he was inducted into the Nevada Mauricio Sulaiman paid tribute to held, and six persons joined the Phillip Tate, councilor; Daniel Boxing Hall of Fame. Spinks in a tweet on Saturday. “Rest membership of the NTUCB board. Luna, trustee; and Addy Aguilar, Known for his trademark toothless in peace, Leon Spinks,” he wrote. Luke Martinez was elected to serve director of gender affairs, in smile — having lost all four of his “Olympic medalist, Pan American as the union’s new president, while collectively forming the new front teeth — Spinks was diagnosed medalist, and of course, WBC Miguel Aguilar was elected as 2nd NTUCB executive team. with shrinkage in his brain, which heavyweight champion.” Tuesday, February 9, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 19 Appropriation Bill Belize accepts #6 deferred vaccines from Russia

Continued from Page 1 construction and a small landscaping Continued from Page 1 conditional marketing authorization „ contract for less than 20,000 dollars „ for AstraZeneca vaccines to be used is for the allocation of an additional and bomb! We have a building now Representatives held on Friday, in European countries,” Minister 7.5 million dollars for the weh cost we 25 million dollars. Start February 5, 2021. Minister Chebat Chebat said. completion of the new Ministry of from 12.6 million and now they confirmed that the 100,800 doses of “The next awaited step is for the Finance building, the Eleanor Hall want 25 million dollars to finish the the AstraZeneca vaccine would World Health Organization building. Hon. Briceño noted that Eleanor Hall building!” Hon. arrive in Belize before the end of emergency use listing for the the construction of the building is Briceño exclaimed. April. AstraZeneca vaccine. Apart from the also being carried out by Belize According to the Prime Minister, He also announced that the COVAX facility, Madam Speaker, Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in 17.15 million dollars has been spent country would have the opportunity the CARICOM Secretariat has partnership with International by the Government of Belize to date to procure an additional 81,697 advised us of the opportunity to Environments (i.E.) — two entities on this construction project. These doses of vaccine through the African procure eighty-one thousand, six that are currently being scrutinized funds were transferred to BIL. Only Medical Supplies platform, an hundred and ninety-seven doses of by the Minister of Infrastructure 5 million was approved in the last opportunity extended to CARICOM vaccines through the African Development and Housing, Hon. 2019/2020 budget. states. Finally, he shared that Belize Medical Supplies platform. This is Julius Espat. “The remaining $12.15 million has accepted a donation of twenty an opportunity offered to “The honorable member had to constitutes unauthorized thousand doses of the Sputnik 5 CARICOM member states and we get to the bottom of things with BIL. expenditure not yet submitted to the vaccine from the Russian Federal have expressed our interest to Well, this also has to do with BIL, House for approval. In fiscal year Republic. CARICOM through the Ministry of and we are also having a lot of 2020/2021 up to the end of “We are not letting our guards Foreign Affairs. Madame Speaker. problems trying to put the facts December 2020, another 8.1 million down, Madam Speaker. The public As well, I am pleased to report that together. This construction of the dollars was transferred to BIL; again health measures are still in effect, today through the Ministry of proposed Finance [building] was most of it was used toward the and the mandatory use of face masks Foreign Affairs, we have indicated already bid for and accepted from building. Similarly, only 5 million and physical distancing are not only to the Russian Federal Republic our February 14, 2019, and the contract dollars has been approved,” said law but are now ticketable offenses. acceptance of a donation of twenty was signed on March 15, 2019 Prime Minister Briceno. We are serious about controlling this thousand doses of the Sputnik 5 between the Government of Belize, He outlined that the remaining 3 pandemic,”Hon. Chebat said while vaccine,” he went on to say. through BIL and the joint venture million dollars is also an speaking about some of the measures According to Chebat, the donation Medina’s Construction, and guess unauthorized expenditure, since it put in place by his Ministry. from the Russian Federation was who? i.E, exactly,” Prime Minister was not taken to the House of “No longer is wearing a mask and made possible through the Briceño shared. Representatives for approval. The physical distancing a taboo. It is an Ambassador of Panama to Belize, Hon. Briceño revealed that the Prime Minister said that the indication of how much we care for H.E. Marta Boza. original cost of the project that was Government must investigate this one another,” Minister Chebat said. “The Ministry of Health and listed in the contract was about $12, contract before it approves any In his presentation, he took the Wellness, Madam Speaker, along 697,392.65. In addition to this, a further funds. opportunity to thank frontline with the representatives from variation was made to the contract Leader of the Opposition, Hon. workers who have been battling the professional and business to increase the sum to Patrick Faber, questioned how long pandemic in Belize since it began associations, trade unions, civil $14,547,186.06. Prime Minister the deferral would last, since the nearly a year ago. He also thanked society organizations, health Briceño shared that there is currently Prime Minister had mentioned that the Belizean people. professionals from the private sector, another contract in connection to this the newly formed Public Contract “[I thank] the people for having United Nations agency and the building for the direct purchase of Commission would undertake the maturity, responsibility and most of Government ministries in Belize, are the steel frame roof and gutter investigation of the contract award. all, Madam Speaker, they have working together for a successful system. This was paid to a UK “In my view [it’s] kicking the can shown that we are indeed our vaccination campaign against company, John Reid and Sons, in the down the road, and as he has put it, brother’s keeper and we are COVID-19,” Minister Chebat said. amount of $5,521,406.26. he will defer it until he can properly responsible for the health and well- He also stated that Ministry of “Other contracts associated with investigate,” Faber said. being of one another,” Hon. Chebat Health and Wellness and the Attorney the project include an engineering “Why is it, that in almost all of said. General’s ministry are revising the and supervision contract with the contracts that Belize He then proceeded to update the Public Health Act at this time to Professional and Engineering Infrastructure Limited issued, the House of Representatives on the make amendments to facilitate the Services Limited of roughly name of i.E, International Ministry of Health and Wellness’s importation and use of the vaccines $200,000. And a further contract Environments, appears, 80%, about vaccination efforts. in Belize. with Medina’s and i.E for 1.1 80% of the contracts issued by BIL?” “Kindly allow me to update the “The priority group to be million dollars for the car park. A the Prime Minister asked. honorable House on the status of the vaccinated, Madam Speaker, are contract for adjacent roadwork, “We just can’t come and approve COVID-19 vaccines. The COVAX healthcare workers from the public drainage workers, and sidewalks for another 7.5 million dollars without facility has advised us of the intended and private health sector, followed almost $2.5 million with RJB knowing the facts,” he said. delivery of a hundred thousand, by the elderly populations and the eight hundred doses of the population with risk factors,” Chebat AstraZeneca vaccine by the end of said. the first quarter of this year. This The full details of the inoculation “Kill BIL”, says Hon. Espat indicative distribution, Madam program will be shared publicly, Speaker, is based on the estimated according to Minister Chebat. availability of vaccines from the Continued from „Page 13 was set up against the rules and manufacturers. On the twenty-ninth regulations of how companies are of January 2021, the European financial investigation of her supposed to be run. Against all the Medicine‘s Agency, EMA, granted See news in the actions,” Espat then announced. financial regulations, against all the He also announced that the new checks and balances, but I would making? board has appointed the CEO’s like to remind anybody affiliated dollars without proper oversight. SPORTS from the Ministries of Works and with any of the projects that once The people of Belize deserve to Infrastructure Development and the audit is done, once the know where that money went. The ACCIDENTS Housing to be interim managers of investigation is complete, if there mandate given to us, is a little SOCIAL ISSUES BIL for the next six months. An is any criminal activity found, be separate from what I would like to CRIME audit of all contracts has also been aware that all proceeds of criminal happen, but I am a team player. The commissioned by the new board of activities can be considered money mandate given to us is to wind up Call us at: directors, according to Minister laundering.” Minister Espat the operations. I would want to kill Espat. declared. BIL. We need to kill BIL!” Minister 280-4703 “We have a private company, that “We spent over 100 million Espat concluded. Page 20 AMANDALABelize Tuesday, February 9, 2021