Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1

NO. 3428 BELIZE CITY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 (32 PAGES) $1.50 Former Works Minister and CEO under investigation Rene Montero, former Minister of Works, Detainee Reportedly refutes all allegations made against him by Minister Julius Espat. Hangs Himself In

BELMOPAN, Wed. Jan. 6, Police Cell Block 2021 During a press conference held by the Ministry of BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Jan. 7, Infrastructure Development 2021 (MOID) on Wednesday, The Commissioner of January 6, 2021, Minister Julius Police has ordered an official Espat alleged that former investigation into what Minister of Works, Rene appears to be a suicide by a Montero, while he held the reins mental patient in police at the Ministry, used human and custody at the Queen Street physical resources from the Police Station. The deceased, Ministry to carry out Gregory Bowen, 38, was development of private lands in taken into custody over the which he allegedly had personal weekend and was found dead interest or investments. Espat in the cell block on Monday, claims that this misuse could January 4 — after reportedly not have occurred without the using his pants to hang knowledge of former Chief himself. The police, in a press Please turn to Page 30 release issued on Monday, „ asserted they were unaware that Bowen was mentally Health Ministry speaks on unstable, but Bowen’s family Please turn to„Page 31 morgue mix-up

COROZAL DISTRICT, Thurs. Jan. 7, First Cabinet 2021 The family of the late Francisco Cante, who were already grieving his Meeting of 2021 recent death, were further traumatized when there was a mixup at the morgue at the Northern Regional Hospital that resulted in his body being handed over for burial under the name “John Doe” on New Year’s Eve. The Ministry of Health and Wellness, after investigating the matter, released a public statement dated January 6, 2021, outlining the events leading up to this unfortunate mishap. According to their report, on December 24, 2020, the body of an unidentified elderly man was found and labeled “John Doe” by the Police Department before being transported to the Northern Regional and the usual testing procedures were Hospital. carried out, including swabbing of the Upon the transfer of the unidentified body to determine whether the man’s body to the hospital, doctors at the facility pronounced the man dead, Please turn to„Page 30 (See story on page 31) Page 2 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 COMPOL gives thumbs up to cannabis industry

In the case of the trade of a negative impact, because one of the other out. I think that it could have marijuana, however, police issues we have right now is that many a some positive impact in terms of them busts and subsequent times these gang members are warring being a part of the industry and perhaps prosecution in court could or going at each other over turf for the what can also happen is that instead of soon become a thing of the sale of marijuana. So if it is that you giving license to plant to big-time past. The PUP made clear in have a market where they can sell their companies or big-time people, we can their manifesto their intentions marijuana legally to a company that is maybe give license to some of these to introduce a controlled going to process the marijuana and do same young men that they can grow, marijuana industry as a means whatever needs to be done with it, then and then they can sell to the companies of revenue-generation for the there is a market for all of them, as that are going to engage in the nation. Several Ministers, opposed to them fighting to sell here processing of the marijuana. So I think including the Minister of New or fighting to sell there or killing each it can work for them.” Growth Industries, Hon. Kareem Musa, have gone on record to support the launch of this endeavor. Back in December, Hon. Musa highlighted that the hemp and marijuana industries were regulated through “unusual” laws, and with the right BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Jan. 7, 2020 mechanisms and legislation in place, The war against the illegal drug trade these industries could be very has been a driving force in many of profitable to the country, particularly the major operations carried out by our if they are linked with our currently law enforcement officers and officials. ailing tourism industry. In addition, the Only a few days into the New Year, Cabinet has approved the formation police officers have already made of an inter-ministerial committee tasked several drug busts, the most recent of with reviewing the country’s existing which occurred in Orange Walk on drug legislation in order to recommend Tuesday when officers found multiple amendments and facilitate the parcels containing a total of 6.3 development of the hemp industry. pounds of marijuana at an abandoned Referring to the conversation on location in Orange Walk Town. legalization of marijuana, even Notably, three members of the Commissioner of Police Chester Immigration Department of Belize were Williams expressed the view that it recently able to walk away free from could alleviate some of Belize’s charges that were brought against them problems in relation to crime. These in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court were his remarks made earlier this Food Assistance for drug trafficking after they were week during an interview with Channel busted with seven pounds of marijuana 5 Belize: in August of 2020. “I don’t think that it is going to have Program Reopened Two new Public and Bank Holidays in Belize

BELMOPAN. Wed. Jan. 6, 2021 any assistance through BOOST or On Wednesday morning, the BCCAT, households not receiving a Ministry of Human Development, pension, single-parent families and Families and Indigenous Peoples’ families with children, elderly family Affairs announced that applications are members, or members with diverse now open for the newly configured abilities. Food Assistance Program. Applicants These persons are asked to apply are asked to visit the Ministry’s online online at the previously listed online platform at address, or call the Ministry of Human BELMOPAN, Mon. Jan. 4, 2021 traditionally celebrated on October 12, www.humandevelopment.gov.bz/status Development or their Social Assistance Two new public and bank holidays has been removed from this year’s to register. Program hotlines for assistance. Those were proposed by the Government of calendar of holidays. This day was This program is a consolidation of the numbers are 0-800-643-4357 for DIGI Belize and gazetted on December 30, previously designated as Christopher COVID-19 Food Assistance Program customers or 0-800-2255-643 for 2020. On January 15, Belizeans are Columbus Day, but has been widely and the Grocery Bag Program once SMART customers. Those numbers scheduled to observe the first ever, criticized across the world in recent known as the “Pantry”. The Ministry is will be active between the hours of 8:00 George Price Day. The holiday is years. asking all citizens who were beneficiaries a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Monday to dedicated to the Father of the Nation Many believe it paid homage to the of either of these programs to apply for Thursday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 and National Hero, Rt. Hon. George European conquerors who plundered the new Food Assistance Program. The p.m. on Fridays. Cadle Price. Of note, January 15 is also and pillaged the New World of its program is specifically geared toward The application process will be open George Price’s birthday. human and physical resources. In some making basic provisions available for the for only 9 business days, from January Also, for the first time in Belize’s parts of the globe, it has been renamed very needy within Belize’s population 6, 2021, to January 18, and those history, there will be a public and bank Indigenous People’s Day. This year, in and the most vulnerable households applications will be evaluated by teams holiday in the country on the day that Belize, it has been completely removed across the country. at the Ministry before they are approved. marks the emancipation of slavery in the from our list of holidays. The release states that priority will Those persons whose applications are British Commonwealth. August 1 is These changes were put forward by be given to households in which no one approved will start receiving food widely recognized as Emancipation Day the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. is working, those who are not receiving assistance on January 22. across the Commonwealth. Since August Kareem Musa. A motion to confirm 1 falls on a Sunday this year, however, these new holidays will be tabled in the the Government of Belize has declared House of Representatives at its next AMANDALA - The best there is! August 2, 2021 as Freedom Day. sitting, scheduled for Friday, January AMANDALA - The best there is! Of note, Pan American Day, 8, 2021. Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 3 COVID-19 Update: 11,108 Confirmed Cases, 10,312 Recoveries, 536 Active Cases, 260 Fatalities

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jan. 6, 2021 — one from the Toledo District, the According to the Acting Director of other from Cayo. A total of 16 Health Services, Dr. Melissa Diaz- hospitalizations were recorded on Musa, recent data reported by the January 6th as well. Of those 16 Ministry of Health and Wellness persons, two were admitted to an (MOHW) is showing a fluctuation of intensive care unit on that day. COVID-19 numbers. She outlined that According to the numbers released the MOHW remains cautiously on January 6, 32 new cases were optimistic, since no extreme increase identified in the Belize District, with 30 has been seen since the Christmas of those cases being found in Belize weekend. She says that socialization City. Also, 26 cases were found in Cayo and festivities over the holidays may at that time. not have amped the spread of the virus On the previous day, January 5, it had as significantly as the health officials been reported that a total of 81 new had feared. cases were identified from a batch of To date a total of 11,108 persons 233 tests conducted. That day, 135 have been infected with the coronavirus recoveries were also recorded, along in Belize, with the majority of these with 22 active hospitalizations. Three persons —10,312 – having already persons were reportedly admitted to an recovered. Recent data shows a total intensive care unit. Two additional of 536 active cases, and since our last deaths were recorded on that day — update, 11 new fatalities were recorded. both from Toledo, one male and the The total number of deaths now stands other a female. at 260 fatalities since the start of the On January 4, a total of 7 deaths were pandemic in Belize. recorded, two males and five females. Recent data released on January 6, The fatalities occurred across the 2021, confirms the discovery of 100 country, with two persons from Cayo, new cases. These were found among a Orange Walk and Corozal respectively, batch of 470 test samples that were as well as one individual from Stann were admitted to an intensive care unit part to reduce the spread of the processed. About 82 recoveries were Creek, passing away. On that day, a on that day. Also, 101 additional coronavirus within the country. Members recorded on that day, and unfortunately, total of 37 new cases were found from recoveries were recorded on the same of the public are asked to follow all two additional deaths were added to a batch of 282 tests processed. day. public health advice and fully adhere to the national death toll on that date. Both Of the 23 persons who were The Ministry of Health and Wellness the Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines of the persons who died were females hospitalized on that day, five persons continues to urge Belizeans to do their if they test positive for COVID-19. Sugar Production on Pause

harvest cane in their fields, “Since we started this crop, for a coordination of deliveries. There have which have become soggy or whole range of different reasons we’ve been certain amounts of impurities inundated due to extensive been unable to get to that point. For coming in with the cane increasing swell rainfall that has fallen in example, in the first eight days of the as it rains more mud and other things northern Belize. In cases crop, that five and half thousand tons that the mill needs to manage in where cane is being harvested, operational requirement should have addition to just the cane supply. there has been a direct been forty-four thousand tons of cane, Finally, the other issue is that the end negative impact on the quality but we have only received thirty-four of the process bagasse is left behind of the harvest, which has thousand six hundred tons of cane. and is used to basically keep the placed further limits on the The actual cane requirement that we boilers burning, and you need to kind cane farmers’ and the BSI’s had called up, which is higher than the of have a ratio of that to manage the quota. operation bottom line, was about forty crop as you move forward,” he said. Prior to the decision to halt eight thousand seven hundred tons, The silver lining according to production, roughly eight and again we only received thirty four McLachlan is that the cane has not thousand tons of cane was thousand six hundred. Now there been lost; it has simply not been expected to be burned and comes a point where that leads to a grounded as yet, meaning the amount transported to the factory; number of problems. One, the mill has of sugar projected to be produced will thereafter the suspension of to keep stopping and starting because not be affected. The real issue lies in cane burning would ensue. it cannot just handle the low how long it will take to produce the According to the Chairman of throughput. Second point, again linked necessary amount of sugar during the ORANGE WALK DISTRICT, Thurs. the SICB, the stakeholders were to the weather and also linked to upcoming months. Jan. 7, 2021 scheduled to have a follow-up meeting Belize’s sugar industry had to put on Thursday evening to determine production on pause due to when production would resume. unfavorable weather conditions. On For the industry to recover and the Monday, stakeholders made a decision factory to run efficiently, farmers to discontinue harvesting and would have to produce over forty- distribution to the B.S.I. factory in eight-thousand tons of cane compared Tower Hill. This will have a direct to the thirty-four-thousand tons that effect on milling, as the factory have been delivered since the start of requires approximately five thousand the new season. tons of cane to be processed daily in The Vice President of the B.S.I., order to operate efficiently. Mac McLachlan, gave a detailed Over recent weeks, an estimated one outline of the industry’s shortfall during thousand cane farmers have been its first eight days of production during finding it difficult or impossible to a press conference with local media:

Amandala E-mails [email protected] [email protected] Call us at: for news and articles for business and advertisements 280-4703 AMANDALA - The newspaper with the greatest circulation in Belize! Page 4 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 A New Face for the SSB

A new Social Security Board of elected PUP government. The Nigeli Sosa and the following persons and Mr. Patrick Balan. Directors and Investment Committee announcement was made on January 5. have been appointed as government Representing the GOB on the SSB has now been appointed by the newly The board will be chaired by Mrs. representatives: Mrs. Emogene Habet- Investment Committee is Mr. Reynaldo Alcoser, Mrs. Wendy Castillo, Mr. Magana, who will serve as the Michael Hyde, and Mr. Michael Coye. chairman alongside Ms. Vanessa The NTUCB representatives on the Briceño, while the NTUCB will be PAHO/WHO donates board are Mrs. Lourdes Smith, Mr. represented by Mr. Emile Mena and 94,975 antigen tests Marcelo Blake, Ms. Lorelie Westby Mr. Brian Duncan. Police issue bulletin for missing man

at Hills of Promise Area, Benque Viejo Town, Cayo District, during which he allegedly injured Gomez in the right abdomen area with an air rifle. Gomez had reported to the police that he, with the assistance of Heber Perez and Antonio Perera, had subdued Caseros and tied his arms and feet with a rope, before he (Gomez) went to the Benque Viejo Police Station to make a BELIZE CITY, Tues. Jan. 5, 2021 testing capacity. PAHO/WHO still formal report. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health recommends the PCR as the gold Police have further stated in and Wellness (MOHW) received a standard test for SARS-COV-2. The the missing person report that donation of rapid antigen tests from the rapid antigen use is recommended for sometime later, checks made Pan American Health Organization the testing of persons with symptoms for Caseros by police officers (PAHO) and the World Health of COVID-19 and contacts of in the area proved futile. On Organization (WHO). The donation will confirmed cases.” Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 8:10 be of assistance to the MOHW as it Dr. Diaz-Musa, Acting Director of a.m., Otto Daniel Caseros rolls out a strategy of expanded testing. Health Services, speaking on behalf of visited the Benque Viejo Police A release from the Ministry stated that the Ministry of Health and Wellness, BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Jan. 7, 2021 Station and made a missing person report they received, “49,975 SD Standard F expressed gratitude for the donation. The Belize Police Department has for his father, Miguel Angel Caseros. COVID-19 Antigen FIA test kits, She commented, “Rapid testing will issued an official missing person report Caseros was last seen wearing blue 45,000 SD Standard Q COVID-19 significantly continue to assist our for Guatemalan farmer Miguel Angel jean pants and a long-sleeve shirt with antigen test kits along with seven (7) country to swiftly detect, isolate and Caseros, 69, who went missing on New rubber boots. He is described as being units of SD Standard COVID-19 manage COVID-19 cases. These rapid Year’s Day from a farm on Hydro Road 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing about Antigen Control, and two (2) units of tests will be distributed to all the regions in the Cayo District. 110 pounds, with a brown complexion, Rapid Diagnostic Test Analyzers as we continue in the fight against In its notification sent to all formations, brown eyes, a low fade haircut, and a (RDT).” COVID-19. Once again, many thanks the department states that on Friday, long, white mustache. The donation was received by the to PAHO/WHO for the continued January 1, Caseros had a Any member of the public who sees Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon collaboration and response.” misunderstanding with Carlos Gomez, him is asked to call 803-2038 or the Michel Chebat, who was accompanied As mentioned, both WHO and 33, a Belizean farmer presently residing nearest police station. by Chief Executive Officer in the PAHO have confirmed that PCR testing MOHW, Dr. Deysi Mendez, and the is still considered the only gold standard Acting Director of Health Services, Dr. COVID-19 test. A percentage of rapid Melissa Diaz-Musa. tests yield what are considered false Wear a mask PAHO/WHO Health Systems and negatives, which at times may result in Services Technical Advisor, Dr. Edwin further spread of the virus. Bolastig, explained, “The rapid antigen PAHO/WHO Belize have made Clean your hands tests, controls and the analyzers will numerous donations to the MOHW enhance not just the laboratory capacity, since the start of the COVID-19 but the overall health system pandemic. In this new year they plan to Keep a safe distance responsiveness.” procure more tests, equipment and The Ministry of Health and supplies to continue the fight against Wellness’s release noted, however, that the virus. They are also providing “rapid antigen tests do not replace the technical guidelines to the Ministry of Wear a mask. Save lives. PCR testing but complement the overall Health and Wellness. Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 5

George Price Day, January 15

By a recent government decree, Belize, on January 15 each Belize gained self-government under Price’s leadership in 1964, year, beginning in 2021, will celebrate a public and bank holiday, and the PUP set about acquiring large foreign estates and George Price Day, to honor our first Prime Minister, George Cadle identifying other unused lands which they distributed to landless Price. Belizeans. Although this land reform program was mainly in the We salute the man called “The Father of the Nation” on the northern districts and the Cayo District, the popularity the PUP much-deserved recognition for his services, and offer this brief gained was sufficient to catapult them to victory after victory in look at his formative years and his role in the making of the general elections. modern Belize, this independent nation in the heart of Central Price fought hard for Belize’s independence, and despite his America and the Caribbean Basin, proud member of the United popularity being on the wane after he had served as the country’s Nations. leader for two decades, he managed to hold on to power in the George Price is the third eldest of eleven children, and for a 1979 general election and oversee the flag of Belize flying proudly time it seemed his life’s vocation was to serve as a Roman alongside those of other nations of the world. Catholic priest, but he returned home before completing his studies to work as a secretary and translator for Robert Turton, Why Freedom Day instead of a Belizean millionaire who had made his fortune in mahogany Emancipation Day? and chicle, and other businesses. At Turton’s enterprises, Price worked with great mariners, woodsmen, and engineers of the Among the list of “public and bank holidays” for 2021 that day, and he was exposed to the builders of our nation all across was published in the Belize Gazette dated December 30, 2020, the country. and signed by new Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Price first entered electoral politics in 1944, then in 1949, he Industries, Hon. Kareem Musa, is, for the first time in Belize, and a group of friends who shared the vision of an independent August 1, the day recognized and celebrated throughout the Belize, and who found a catalyst in the decision by the colonial British Commonwealth as Emancipation Day. It is a move that, government to devalue our dollar, formed the People’s overall is welcomed. There are, however, two bones of contention Committee. The group, bolstered by the General Workers’ Union, for some. In Belize this year, August 1 falls on a Sunday, so the would later become the People’s United Party, the most holiday will be observed on August 2 instead; and, for whatever successful political party prior to independence, in fact the only reason, the name of the new holiday listed in the Gazette is political party to hold government in pre-independent Belize. “Freedom Day,” and not “Emancipation Day,” as most people Price and some senior leaders of the PUP split in 1956 over expected. the proposal that Belize join the And not everyone is happy. It is quite normal, when a holiday proposed West Indian falls on a weekend, for the holiday to be celebrated on the closest Federation, a political union weekday. But the perceived name change, from Emancipation that was actually established Day to Freedom Day, is another matter. The thing is, you can’t with the British Caribbean change something that never was, and there was never an officially Amandala(estb. 1969) Federation Act of 1956. Price, endorsed Emancipation Day holiday in Belize, only a celebration Business and editorial offices: a light-skinned Creole/Mestizo, by a group recognizing the day and agitating for it to be endorsed 3304 Partridge Street, Belize was opposed to joining the by official authorities. City, Belize, Central America federation, and he was And they were not alone. According to one Wikipedia page on is printed twice weekly by the accused by the Afro members the observance: “Emancipation Day is observed in many former Amandala Press. of the party of having an agenda European colonies in the Caribbean and areas of the United Telephones: 501-280-4703/ to Latinize Belize. States on various dates to commemorate 501-202-4477 Divorcing ourselves from the the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent.” always controversial race In regards to the relevance of the August 1 date to former Publisher: Evan X Hyde discussion, it can be argued colony British Honduras, now Belize, it says: Editor-in-chief: Marco Lopez that Price was right in his view “The Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which abolished slavery Business Manager: Jacinta Hyde that Belize stay out of the throughout the British Empire…, came into force the following Make-up & Design federation, for the political year, on 1 August 1834. Only slaves below the age of six were union collapsed just six years freed. Enslaved people older than six years of age were re- Andrea Dennison Artist: later, in 1962. designated as ‘apprentices’ and required to work, 40 hours per Executive Secretary: Odessa Abdul Rob, in a 2016 article week without pay, as part of compensation payment to their Robinson Smith published on the website former owners. Full emancipation was finally achieved at midnight Compositor: Tyra Welch blackhistorymonth.org.uk, on 31 July 1838.” Lithography: Clive Smith said, “the According to current UBAD Education Foundation (UEF) Printers: Kent Brooks Bahamas, Bermuda, Belize, chairperson Yaya Marin Coleman, the first Emancipation Day Jose Avilez the British Virgin Islands, celebration in Belize was spearheaded by patriot Simon Lamb and Guyana opted not to join back in 1888, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Please email Correspondence: because they believed that Emancipation, which occurred in all British colonies in 1838. [email protected] their future lay with becoming With the colonial emphasis on Tenth of September celebrations, North American.” The article starting with the Centenary of the Battle of Saint George’s Caye Advertisements to: further stated that the West in 1898, Emancipation Day had been pretty much ignored in [email protected] Indian Federation had a weak Belize, until then UEF chairperson Virginia Echols proposed the structure and, among its rekindling of efforts to mark this important milestone with an Mailing Address: weaknesses was the fear of early morning ceremony and celebration at the Yabra Green Amandala Press smaller members that the large seashore on August 1, 2014. 3304 Partridge Street island economies would Since then, UEF has kept the annual Emancipation Day Jubilee c/o P.O. Box 15, overwhelm theirs, and the celebration going, and has been lobbying for the day to receive Belize City, Belize worry of the larger provinces national recognition. Though not yet achieving a holiday in honor “about mass migration from of the historical date, UEF did receive Amandala’s website: the smaller islands.” some official support for Emancipation Please turn toPage 6 amandala.com.bz Page 6 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 George Price Day, January 15

Continued from Page 5 not make a fuss about the name,  especially if their nonchalance is Day in 2019, when the then (UDP) fueled by ignorance of the issue; Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. but many others put great value VACANCIES Patrick Faber, publicly on the potential of the name acknowledged the significance of being a vehicle for enlightenment The Board of Management announces the following vacancies the day, stating that, “While today and empowerment of a people is not a public and bank holiday, already victimized by a system of available at Escuela SecundariaTecnica Mexico. it is a day where I want to ask all “brainwash education.” Belizeans to call to mind the fact An Emancipation Day holiday 1. Mathematics/Information Technology Teacher that the enslavement of African is not a new concept, and Belize people was a reality here in Belize would not be blazing any trails (Full Time) and other places in this here. hemisphere…” (from “UEF According to one historical celebrates Emancipation Jubilee source, Trinidad and Tobago 2. Mathematics Teacher Day 2020” by Marco Lopez, became the first independent (Effective 1st. April 2021 to 30th. June, 2021) Amandala) country in the world to declare Well, a new PUP government a national holiday to was elected on November 11th commemorate the abolition of 3. Spanish/PE Teacher of 2020, and it would seem that slavery on August 1, 1985, and (Effective 1st. April 2021 to 30th. June, 2021) they have attempted to “put their in this Caribbean nation, money” where the past UDP Emancipation Day replaced government only “put their Columbus Discovery Day, QUALIFICATIONS mouth.” While the obvious “which commemorated the • Bachelor’s Degree in the required field preferred but assumption is that the Minister arrival of Christopher minimum Associate Degree will be considered decided to change the name Columbus at Moruga on 31 from Emancipation Day to July 1498, as a national public Freedom Day, such was never holiday.” Essential Experiences (For AllPosts) stated in the Gazette — only that Some other countries a holiday would be celebrated on celebrating Emancipation Day on • Secondary School License is a MUST. August 2 “in lieu” of August 1. August 1 include Anguilla, The • knowledge and skills in the specific areas And, whatever is the case, some Bahamas, Barbados and • pedagogical training and teacher experience folks, including UEF chairperson Jamaica; while others which use Yaya Marin Coleman, are not at a day or days in early August to • knowledge of the Education Act and Education all pleased with the name celebrate Emancipation Day Rules change. If the intention is to include Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, • good organizational skills highlight the historical significance of Emancipation, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, • knowledge, competence and expertise in using then why change the name of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint technology the holiday to Freedom Day? Vincent and the Grenadines. high motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment to And if the intention is NOT to In Belize, it would at first appear • celebrate Emancipation Day, the we were following the example teaching and learning question is, why not? One of Trinidad and Tobago, because • ability to work and communicate effectively with possible explanation could be our previously celebrated that the desire was to detract October 12 holiday, known first students, staff and Administrators attention from the painful as “Columbus Day” and then as • willingness and ability to work with parents and the memories of slavery unavoidably “Pan-American Day,” has been community. associated with “Emancipation,” removed and replaced with the and direct the nation’s attention August 1 holiday, thus the and focus instead to the assumption that the August date SALARY universally positive idea of is marking Emancipation Day. But Commensurate with Government Pay Scale. “Freedom.” the name “Freedom Day” makes But if so, why? Why haven’t the it all so unclear. And again the Jews tried to obliterate their question, why? APPLICATION PROCESS memory of the Holocaust? Perhaps it is not too late for Letter of Application along with recent Curriculum Vitae, Many citizens are glad for a those in authority to “wheel and holiday for any purpose, and will come again.” Original Transcripts, recent Police Record and two recent Letters of Recommendations. A copy of Teachers’ License at Secondary Level, Social Security and qualifications must also be submitted. These copies must be signed by a Justice of the Peace.

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

Applications must be sent to the following address: Human Resource Committee Escuela SecundariaTecnica Mexico San Roman Village Corozal District

no later than Friday, 15th. January 2021 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 7

TENDER FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, PETROLEUM AND MINING, BELMOPAN The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining invites tenders for the provision of Janitorial services of its office premises situated at Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard, Cohune Walk, Belmopan City, Cayo District.

The tender shall be for a period of two (2) years (1st April 2021 to 31st March 2023)

The successful tender will be expected to provide the following services:-

i. Daily cleaning and dusting of all floors, walls, ceilings, stairways, entrance and exit access. ii. Clean and sanitize all bathrooms daily. iii. Clean all kitchens and kitchenettes and all appliances, kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery and all other kitchen items. iv. Sweep and mop office floors. v. Dust and polish office furniture, fixtures and telephones. vi. Clean and polish glass doors, panels and windows. vii. Remove cobwebs from building. viii. Empty and clean waste paper baskets and all garbage containers. ix. Maintain all garbage containers with garbage bags. x. Clean all vertical blinds and windows quarterly xi. Provide two (2) onsite Supervisors during the course of the day xii. Provide cleaners for three (3) hours daily to clean bathrooms, emergency spills or leakages xiii. Provide and pay for all tools, equipment, transportation, permits, taxes supervisors, labour and all other necessary services to complete the above described works. xiv. Provide all cleaning materials, deodorizers, cleaning agents, chemical equipment and any other materials or tools necessary for the cleaning maintenance of the building. xv. Provide sanitization services for COVID-19 in line with Ministry of Health and Wellness protocols

Conditions for participation in the Tendering process:

i. Demonstrate competence and professionalism in the provision of service VACANCY ii. Duly registered as a company under the Laws of Belize and in good standing (a letter from Belize Companies Registry is AttorNeY-At-lAw required) iii. Meet the deadline stated for submission of Tenders A reputable law firm in Belize City is seeking applications for the position of Attorney- iv. Be prepared to negotiate the final contract price at-law in Belize City, Belize.

All submissions must include the following: Main responsibilities • Drafting and reviewing of litigation documents including pleadings, notices, a) Number of employees offered to provide the service. affidavits & correspondence; b) Tender price, indicated in Belize dollars inclusive of GST, by hour, • Furnishing legal opinions and advice on any areas of the law week and year) • Consultations with clients and counsel c) Description of cleaning products to be used (materials, deodorizers, • Attending court at the Appeal, Supreme and Magistrate’s Courts cleaning agents, etc) • Conducting negotiations with a view to settling potentially litigious matters d) An overview of qualifications and past experience in cleaning and • Prepare contracts and other legal documents ensuring attention to detail maintenance • To be able to show a track record of achieving their fee targets and time targets e) Two letters of reference and that the targets are appropriate for their position and level of qualification. f) Certificate from the Belize Tax Service that no taxes are outstanding • Offering advice on the law, legal procedures and a wide range of associated issues g) Certificate from the Social Security Board that no contributions are • Research on diverse range of assigned issues, documents and case history to outstanding ensure accuracy of advice and procedures h) Any other information, brochure, etc. in regards to the company • Receive requests for legal advice from current and potential clients and deciding (optional) on the most appropriate responses to make to these requests. • To develop and maintain good client relationship skills, gaining clients’ Submission of tender must be made in a sealed envelope addressed to Chief confidence and that of other professionals Executive Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, • Attract additional business from new and existing clients. H.M. Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard, Cohune Walk Area, Belmopan, • Proven track record of effectively delegating work to other members of the Belize. The envelope must be marked “Tender for the Janitorial Services department and supervising the work effectively at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining” along with company name and contact information. The deadline for the submission Qualifications of tenders is Monday, January 25th, 2021. Any tender received after this • Must have been called to the Belize Bar deadline will not be considered. • Must hold a current and valid practicing certificate with at least two (2) years practicing experience. Experience in litigation will be an added advantage. Costs incurred for visiting the facilities to be maintained and the preparation • Must have hands on experience in interpretation & application of legal texts, of the tender bids are the sole responsibility of the tender. statutes, rules & regulations. • Must be willing to work and be stationed in Belize City but be willing to attend The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining does not bind court in other Districts itself to accept the lowest tender and reserves the right to accept or reject any • Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills tender, and to annul the process and reject all tenders, at any time prior to • Must have the ability to work as a team award of contract, without incurring any liability to the affected prospective contractor or any obligation to assign any reason for the rejection of any Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. tender. Send resume, copies of qualifications, police record no later than six months old and The public is advised that this notice can be accessed via https:// two recent letters of reference to: Law Office Manager, P.O. Box #2491, Belize blz.cppnb.caricom.org City, Belize no later than Friday, January 22nd, 2021. Page 8 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021

Día de George Price, 15 de enero

Por un reciente decreto del gobierno, Belize, el 15 de enero 2020 y que firmó el nuevo Ministro del Interior y Nuevas de cada año, a partir de 2021, celebrará un feriado público y Industrias de Crecimiento, el Honorable Kareem Musa, está, bancario, el Día de George Price, para honrar a nuestro primer por primera vez en Belize, el 1 de agosto, el día reconocido y Primer Ministro, George Cadle Price. celebrado en toda la Commonwealth británica como el Día de Saludamos al hombre llamado “El Padre de la Nación” por el la Emancipación. Es una acción que, en general es bienvenida. muy merecido reconocimiento por sus servicios, y ofrecemos Sin embargo, hay dos puntos en disputa para algunos. En Belize, esta breve mirada a sus años de formación y su papel en la este año, el 1 de agosto cae en domingo, por lo que el feriado creación del Belize moderno, esta nación independiente en el se observará el 2 de agosto; y, por la razón que sea, el nombre corazón de Centroamérica y la Cuenca del Caribe, orgulloso del nuevo día feriado que aparece en la Gaceta es “Día de la miembro de las Naciones Unidas. Libertad” y no “Día de la Emancipación,” como la mayoría de la George Price es el tercero mayor de once hermanos, y durante gente esperaba. un tiempo pareció que la vocación de su vida era servir como Y no todo el mundo está contento. Es bastante normal, cuando sacerdote católico romano, pero regresó a casa antes de un día festivo cae en fin de semana, que el día festivo se celebre completar sus estudios para trabajar como secretario y traductor en el día laborable más cercano. Pero el cambio de nombre de Robert Turton, un millonario beliceño que había hecho su percibido, del Día de la Emancipación al Día de la Libertad, es fortuna de caoba y chicle, y otros negocios. En las empresas de otro asunto. La cuestión es que no se puede cambiar algo que Turton, Price trabajó con grandes marineros, leñadores e nunca fue, y nunca hubo un feriado del Día de la Emancipación ingenieros de la época, y estuvo expuesto a los constructores respaldado oficialmente en Belize, solo una celebración por de nuestra nación en todo el país. parte de un grupo que reconoce el día y hace campaña para Price entró en la política electoral por primera vez en 1944, que sea respaldado por las autoridades oficiales. luego en 1949, él y un grupo de amigos que compartían la Y no estaban solos. Según una página de Wikipedia sobre la visión de un Belize independiente, y que encontraron un observancia: “El Día de la Emancipación se observa en muchas catalizador en la decisión del gobierno colonial de devaluar antiguas colonias europeas en el Caribe y áreas de los Estados nuestro dólar, formaron el Comité Popular. El grupo, reforzado Unidos en varias fechas para conmemorar la emancipación de por el Sindicato General de Trabajadores, se convertiría más los esclavos afrodescendientes”. tarde en el Partido Unido del Pueblo, el partido político más Con respecto a la relevancia de la fecha del 1 de agosto para exitoso antes de la independencia, de hecho, el único partido la ex colonia de Honduras Británica, ahora Belize, dice: político que ocupó el gobierno en Belize antes de la ”La Ley de Abolición de la Esclavitud de 1833, que abolió la independencia. esclavitud en todo el Imperio Británico…, entró en vigor el año Price y algunos altos dirigentes del PUP se separaron en 1956 siguiente, el 1 de agosto de 1834. Sólo los esclavos menores de por la propuesta de que Belize se uniera a la propuesta Federación seis años fueron liberados. Las personas esclavizadas mayores de las Indias Occidentales, una unión política que de hecho se de seis años fueron re-designadas como “aprendices” y se les estableció con la Ley de la Federación Británica del Caribe de exigió que trabajaran 40 horas por semana sin pago, como 1956. Price, un criollo/mestizo de piel clara, estaba opuesto a parte del pago de compensación a sus antiguos dueños. La unirse a la federación, y fue acusado por los miembros afro del emancipación total se logró finalmente a la medianoche del 31 partido de tener una agenda de latinizar a Belize. de julio de 1838.” Divorciándonos de la siempre controvertida discusión racial, Según la actual presidenta de la Fundación de Educación UBAD se puede argumentar que Price tenía razón en su opinión de (UEF en inglés), Yaya Marin Coleman, la primera celebración del que Belize se mantuviera fuera de la federación, ya que la unión Día de la Emancipación en Belize fue encabezada por el patriota política colapsó solo seis años después, en 1962. Simon Lamb en 1888, para conmemorar el quincuagésimo Abdul Rob, en un artículo de 2016 publicado en el sitio web aniversario de la Emancipación, que ocurrió en todas las colonias blackhistorymonth.org.uk, dijo: “Las Bahamas, Bermuda, Belize, británicas en 1838. Con el énfasis colonial en las celebraciones las Islas Vírgenes Británicas y Guyana optaron por no unirse del 10 de septiembre, comenzando con el Centenario de la porque creían que su futuro estaba en convertirse en Batalla de Cayo San Jorge en 1898, el Día de la Emancipación norteamericanos.” El artículo decía además que la Federación había sido prácticamente ignorado en Belize, hasta que la de las Indias Occidentales tenía una estructura débil y, entre entonces presidenta de UEF, Virginia Echols, propuso reavivar sus debilidades, estaba el temor de los miembros más pequeños los esfuerzos para marcar este importante hito con una de que las grandes economías insulares abrumarían a las suyas, ceremonia y celebración matutina en la orilla del mar en el campo y la preocupación de las provincias más grandes “por la migración de deportes en Yabra el 1 de agosto de 2014. masiva desde las islas más pequeñas”. Desde entonces, UEF ha mantenido en marcha la celebración Belize obtuvo el autogobierno bajo el liderazgo de Price en anual de Jubileo del Día de la Emancipación y ha estado 1964, y el PUP se dispuso a adquirir grandes propiedades presionando para que el día reciba reconocimiento nacional. extranjeras e identificar otras tierras no utilizadas que distribuyó Aunque aún no ha logrado un feriado en honor a la fecha a los beliceños sin tierra. Aunque este programa de reforma histórica, UEF recibió cierto apoyo oficial para el Día de la agraria se realizó principalmente en los distritos del norte y el Emancipación en 2019, cuando el entonces Viceprimer Ministro distrito de Cayo, la popularidad que ganó el PUP fue suficiente (UDP), el Honorable Patrick Faber, reconoció públicamente la para catapultarlos a una victoria tras otra en las elecciones importancia del día, afirmando que, “Si bien hoy no es un día generales. festivo ni público, es un día en el que quiero pedirles a todos los Price luchó duro por la independencia de Belize y, a pesar de beliceños que recuerden el hecho de que la esclavitud de los que su popularidad disminuyó después de haber sido líder del africanos fue una realidad aquí en Belize y en otros lugares de país durante dos décadas, logró mantenerse en el poder en las este hemisferio…” (de “ UEF celebra Jubileo del Día de la elecciones generales de 1979 y supervisar la bandera de Belize Emancipación 2020 “por Marco Lopez, Amandala) ondeando con orgullo junto a las de otras naciones del mundo. Bueno, un nuevo gobierno PUP fue elegido el 11 de noviembre de 2020, y parece que han intentado “poner su dinero” donde ¿Por qué el Día de la Libertad en lugar del el anterior gobierno UDP solo “puso la boca”. Si bien la suposición obvia es que el Ministro decidió cambiar el nombre de Día de la Día de la Emancipación? Emancipación a Día de la Libertad, esto nunca se dijo en Entre la lista de “días feriados y bancarios” para 2021 que se la Gaceta, solo que un día feriado se publicó en la Gaceta de Belize con fecha 30 de diciembre de celebraría el 2 de agosto “en lugar” del 1 Vea página  24 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 9

There does exist a power structure a few kind words to say about North the time, and thought I was hot stuff. you, the same person, are brown. in Belize. Perhaps there are several Amerikkkan Blues, a book I wrote fifty At the same time, I was overreacting There’s no such thing as “brown” in power structures, if we choose to look years ago about my three years (1965- to a huge amount of pressure being America, just black and white. White at things more closely. The Belizean 68) at a university in the United States. placed on I. Between July of 1970 and people define you. It’s weird. parents of a child of color who shows A couple years ago I told the man January of 1971, just before I started Now the most important point I some talent early have to be careful, Assad Shoman that there were aspects writing Blues, I’d been tried twice in wanted to make in this essay was that because it is definitely not the power of Blues which were embarrassing to the Supreme Court, on different there were stupid things I did way back structure’s intention to educate that me because of the immaturity of those charges. Supreme Court trials are in the time of Blues which I excused child and have him use that education aspects. Brother Shoman’s response always preceded by fifteen or twenty on the grounds that I was doing to start up agitation trouble amongst was, however, that that was how I felt appearances in Magistrate’s Court for research for future creative writing. I his oppressed people of color. The at the time, and so the writing was valid, preliminary hearings. A whole lot of never did do the serious creative child of color will be given training, authentic. hassle. writing, essentially retiring from that but there is a bottom line here in the The one thing I need to say today Early on in this essay I referred to pursuit after a political embarrassment sense that the child’s absolute priority, publicly is that I was trying to create children of color. Color and ethnicity in December of 1977. in fact his exclusive focus, must be an impression in Blues, because I was are not the major topics that they were Now I come back to Ivory Kelly. the accumulation of skills and assets just 23, leading a militant black youth in Belize fifty years ago. It seems to Writers are people of relevance. My for himself/herself only. This is as the organization at the time, and so I felt I me many times that none of us really late mother spent some important years power structure would have it. needed to make myself look as relevant understand the changes that have taken of her life growing up in Sittee River, The power structure will allow and capable as I could. There was place in Belize, except for the fact that a village on the coast after you pass talented children of color to enter the where some immaturity was things have become much more Dangriga and Hopkins. I believe House of Privilege, but such a child manifested. dangerous and murderous for black Ivory’s people are from Sittee, so, even will not be allowed to go outside and There was one statement I made in youth here. though I’ve never met her, I hold her bring any of his friends from the Blues that was anti-Semitic, flat out. In Belize, I am not as definitively dear. ‘hood into that House of Privilege. In That was a silly statement. I made a black as I was in the United States. It She wrote a few words about Blues the power structure’s House of statement about white women in Blues is important to understand that the recently, as I said earlier, and those few Privilege, selfishness for the child of which was stupid. These are just a various manifestations of white power words provoked (inspired?) me into color is a must, a prerequisite. couple examples of my 1971 have so much power that whereas you saying things, in this New Year, that I’ve Recently a lady writer from the immaturity. are black in America, in Belize, wanted to say for decades. Thank you, University of Belize, Ivory Kelly, had I was, to repeat, 23 going on 24 at Jamaica, and other British possessions, Ivory. Blessings and best wishes.

Tender for the Management of the Food and Variety Shop Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) is extending an invitation to interested service provider for the management of the Food and Variety shop located on the premises of the hospital.

Interested bidders must submit documents to the below address no later than Friday 22nd January 2021: Chief Executive Officer, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Princess Margaret Drive Belize City

Documents should include the following:

1. Valid identification, i.e. Social Security or Passport 2. Proof of address of interested person 3. Valid Trade License or Business Registration number. Conditions for the Supply of Service.

1. The proposed monthly is $1,000.00 payable at the start of the month. The successful bidder should be prepared to pay the first and last rent at the commencement of the lease. Any payment later than seven (7) days after the due date may result in the termination of the lease holder.

2. The service provider can offer a variety of products usually required by patients such as diapers, sanitary pads, toiletries, etc.

3. The provision of food should be nutritious and healthy. However, accommodation for light snacks will be made.

4. The provider should preferably provide healthy drinks, but sodas will be allowed. The Management of KHMHA does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any bid; reserves the right to appoint/cancel or accept whole or part of a bid or to negotiate further conditions with successful bidder. Page 10 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021

A June 1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL holiday:

CONSULTING SERVICES TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A CAPACITY – Groundwork vs BUILDING PROGRAM FOR PRODUCERS’ ORGANIZATIONS Groundswell

Institution: Ministry of Economic Development Dear Editor: Country: Belize Changes occur pari passu with the Project: Resilient Rural Belize Programme march of history. Some affect us Loan No.: 2000002301 radically, often with volcanic suddenness; they leave us permanently Deadline for Submission of Proposals:Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 2:00PM. “changed” and are often memorialized. Those are the “groundswell levers” of Background:The Government of Belize (GOB), through a financing agreement with the International Fund for history. Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Green Climate Fund (GCF),has embarked on a six-year Programme, Resilient Other changes, while remarkable, lack Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on smallholder farmers the forcefulness and transformative while supporting sustainable market access for their produce. The programme will help farmers employ climate violence of groundswells. They are resilient agricultural practices and technologies; integrate profitable smallholder participation into the development predispositional, only becoming manifest of select vegetables, fruits, and honey value chains; and support smallholder production capacity through over time. “Groundwork gears” investments in public and private climate resilient infrastructure and in the strengthening of smallholder farmer sufficiently defines their impact. Here are Producers’ Organizations and relevant GOB Departments. 7 random instances from our history: • March 25, 1801: The arrival of the Scope of Service: Garinagou at Belize City This consultancy is designed tostrengthen farmers’ organizations, referred to as Producers’ Organizations,whether • Feb. 4, 1862: Belize, recently registered or unregistered. It will focus on providing technical, social, and organizational knowledge to improve the designated a colony of Great st management, operation, and overall performance of the main actors in the selected value chains. This includes Britain, got her 1 Lieut. Governor. strengthening of the organizational and administrative capacities of the organizations andtheir financial management, • Sept.9/10, 1898: The first commemoration of the Battle of marketing, and entrepreneurial capabilities to identify and take advantage of market opportunities. In addition, the St. George’s Caye Department of Co-operatives (DOC) must be strengthened to be able to provide continuous and effective capacity • April 9, 1928: Elston Kerr building support to these Producers’ Organizations ensuring sustainability. completed the first Cross Country race to Cayo and back. The consultancy comprises of two (2) components: • December 31, 1949: The Belize (i) Capacity Building for Producers’ Organizations and Department of Cooperatives in Organization and dollar was devalued. Administration for Institutional Strengthening. • August 5, 1962: Hon. George (ii) Capacity Building for Producers’ Organizations in Entrepreneurship, Business Management and Marketing. Price, First Minister, delivered a unification speech to the Men’s Objectives of the Consultancy Group at Wesley Church in Belize The main objectives of the assignment are as follows: City. 1. To review the training modules currently being used by the DOC and improve and/or develop appropriate • August 15, 1963: A White Paper and effective training modules and materials tailored to the capacity building of Producers’ Organizations. from the colonial office established 2. To develop and execute a capacity building and training program, which shall include training, for a minimum internal self-government for Belize. of twenty (20) and a maximum of thirty (30)registered or unregistered Producers’ Organizations with total Groundswells, by their nature, are harder to find. The earliest and most membership of approximately 300 members, including men, women, and youth. memorable for Belize was a session of 3. To develop and implement a Training of Trainers’ Module to strengthen the capacity of the staff of the DOC the Public Meeting, the governing body to effectively deliver the training modules to Producers’ Organizations. of the settlers, on June 1st 1797. It was a do-or-die event. One hundred and The Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) Programme now invites proposals for the provision of Consulting Services to Develop sixteen legislators convened to decide and Implement a Capacity Building Programme for Producers’ Organizations. whether this bit of jungle at Belize Rivermouth was worth the risk of A Consulting Firm will be selected in accordance with the procurement procedures set out by the International Fund for pitching the settlement into a suicidal Agricultural Development (IFAD) and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. naval battle with a Spanish armada. A “NO” vote signaled support of the Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their immediate abandonment of the territory. qualifications.Note that all consulting firms must specify their nationality. The nationality of a firm is that of the A “YES” meant war with Spain and a country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of the firm colossal mistake, if things went wrong! appointed to represent it. A direct forefather of mine (in my ancestral line), William Tellett (sic), was Consultants interested in receiving the RFP and submitting a Proposal should register their interest by sending an e- at that meeting. If a reverse time warp could bring us face-to-face, I’d like to mail (with subject: Request for RFP- Capacity Building for Producers’ Organization) to the Procurement Consultant ask him why he sided with the minority on [email protected] giving full contact details of the Consultant. This will ensure that the Consultants who said “No.” (Fortunately, he receive updates regarding this RFP. remained in the settlement with his family, all born in the country, the The Proposal must be delivered to the following address on or before Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 2:00PM (Local youngest being his 3-year old son, time). Consultants also have the option of submitting their Proposals electronically using the File Request Link: https:/ William Jr., whose tombstone lies at the /bit.ly/2W5wEDN Yarborough cemetery). I see the events of that day in 1797 as the sine qua non validation of our Attn: Tracey Recinos Hanson 2021 non-sacramental holidays. I think Procurement Officer if we want to be honest with ourselves, Resilient Rural Belize Programme then, on the merits alone, my natural Ministry of Economic Development bias aside, June 1st should be on the list National Agriculture Showgrounds of national holidays. Hummingbird Highway Belmopan, Belize Hart Tillett Belmopan Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 11

Leaders who refuse to leave

by Colin Hyde democratic election, and was thwarted GREAT again. Belizeans who support contaminated hands we put to our when Batista seized power via a military Trump don’t accept what every mouths, noses, and eyes. By far the biggest story of a leader coup. American knows — that many I haven’t heard much noise, no, any refusing to give up the crown after being In the case of Evo, he should have Europeans (Caucasians) over there fear noise about keeping our hands clean, voted out is on the stage right now in trusted his people, trusted that they becoming a minority race to the Browns and if anyone did make such noise they the USA, as Mr. D. Trump tries appreciated all the reforms his and the Blacks. should be avoided even after the Covid- everything written and unwritten to hold governments had made during their I tell you that that charge to make 19 is no longer a major concern. You on to what he got back in 2016. Of legal existence. Bully for Bolivia: after America GREAT again, everybody who know why Master Alan Baatn was course, he is not alone. As recently as Evo was chased out of office they went doesn’t have their head in the sand scorned? He washed his hands before 2019 we saw Bolivia’s leftist leader, to the polls and returned Luis Arce, the knows that that word and WHITE are using the bathroom, and not after. Naasti Evo Morales, working long hours over new leader of Evo’s political party, synonymous in many European minds. beast! his allotted time to get a chance at Movement for Socialism (MAS), as There is also a big story in America All the trouble is about restricted overstaying. president of Bolivia. Someone once about economic philosophy, what breathing with the masks, and everyone Ai, politicians, they are a breed that said that the devil and his minions makes a country’s economy grow, and agrees that wearing a mask is feels they, nobody else but they, have cannot stop an idea whose time has maybe the biggest passion over there uncomfortable, but you have to be really all the answers. Some of them get come. is religion. One party in America is not smart to deny the efficacy of masks overwhelmed by their hubris, and in an At home in Belize, if we ignore the pagan. I am trying to stay out of trouble, when the principle behind wearing them effort to stay they ignore all the rules. wicked rumors of 1993, we’ve never so I won’t call their name, but I will tell is so simple. The masks keep the They become like the boxer who had a leader who resisted the will of you that they want full-blown abortion particles in the air we exhale, in the wanted to fight afta the bell done ring. the people, but many Belizeans did and, ahem, they want to kick down all coughs and sneezes we expel, and in Wait, I applaud Evo for his efforts worry that George Price would not go closet doors. the hot air that escapes our mouths when to correct the many wrongs that existed quietly into the memoirs section if he In this world full of conspiracy we speak, locked in the fabric. in Bolivia, but I’m not with changing got dusted off at the polls. Hmm, if theories, some Trump supporters Why do doctors and nurses catch the any constitution to allow a leader to there is any real fire under that 1993 believe the Chinese made the cruel new disease when they follow all the safety extend their time in government. I like smoke, then it was a case of the tail coronavirus to change the course of the measures? It’s the level of exposure. The free elections, except in the case of old wagging the dog, the overzealous US, for their leader would definitely masks don’t lock away 100% of our Cuba, because the great USA refused followers refusing to let go; and the have won if things had continued as exhalations, and because there are so to allow the government in that country proof of that is told in 1984. normal. My, their economy was many sick people in their environment, to carry out the necessary changes in A big part of the story with Mr. humming along, and how the other party the air naturally is more contaminated. any system other than a dictatorship. Trump over there is that the people who hurt because they say he was building I think one safety measure that needs If any wants to challenge the image back him, some of them are out to force on the great things their Obama and emphasizing is the need for us to shut of Castro, don’t forget that before the Armageddon if they can’t have the Biden had done. And then, wham, our mouths, cut down on the loud chats. violent overthrow of the villain Batista, things that made them rally to the former pandemic, and the Trump machine ran Ugh, I watch these football games on Castro had sought to run in a president’s call to make their country out of gas. American television and I can’t believe Returning to our hero at home, when that whenever the coaches or the the curtain came down on his leadership referees speak, they lower their masks. in 1984 he didn’t make a peep. He If somebody kos you through their mask packed his carton box, reconnected the you won’t have to clean your ears to get phones he dummied in his office, and the sense. I don’t want to be closer than went home to play his piano. But, quién 20 feet physical distance when someone sabe, would he have walked away so is running off. quietly if Belize hadn’t yet attained the Luk, cut the up-close chats and kip big independence, or would he have your breath in your mask, so we all can charged the opposition UDP of doing inhale pure air. what they had accused him of: tainting ballots? Mark of the Macaw The what-might-have-been aside, Price led us to independence —glory, The Mark of the Macaw, written by and after being crushed at the polls in Christina and Kirby Salisbury, is a 1984 he graciously handed over the reins historical novel that transports us through — glory, and in that last he proved that fateful period when the deeply humility that made him worthy to join spiritual Maya of this part of the world Jimmy Carter’s great team that went all were about to have their existence over the world lending their integrity to shattered by the coming of the European the election process, giving people invaders from across the ocean, then confidence that wicked incumbents onward through the meeting of Gonzalo weren’t using invisible inks and stuffing Guerrero and Nachankan, then through ballot boxes —glory. the time when pirates/buccaneers that roamed the Caribbean made regular We can’t hold our stops here, through the arrival of the breaths, but we can Puritans, and later the arrival of the African slaves who would be brought keep our mouths shut here to fall mahogany, to the Battle of St. George’s Caye, all the way up to the The biggest reason for physical turn of the 20th century. distancing and wearing masks over our Mark of the Macaw is a fun, easy to faces and mouths is to stop us from read book, and when I get a break I will sharing our breaths. The transmission go into more detail, but for now I will of this new virus is not dissimilar to the say it is a colorful tale of romance, old flus, which are transmitted through mysticism, heroism, and resistance that the air we breathe and also the adds flavor to the Belizean story.

AMANDALA the newspaper with the greatest circulation in Belize! Page 12 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021

TENDER FOR SECURITY AND CASH COURIER SERVICES MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Sí existe una estructura de poder una gran cantidad de presión sobre en Belize. Quizás hay varias mí. Entre julio de 1970 y enero de PETROLEUM AND MINING estructuras de poder, si optamos por 1971, justo antes de comenzar a The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining invites tenders mirar las cosas más de cerca. Los escribir Blues, había sido juzgado from duly registered security companies for the provision of security and padres beliceños de un niño de color dos veces en la Corte Suprema por surveillance and cash courier services at the following office premises situated que muestra algún talento temprano diferentes cargos. Los juicios de la in Belmopan and Belize City: deben tener cuidado, porque Corte Suprema siempre van definitivamente no es la intención de precedidos de quince o veinte • Ministry Headquarters situated on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II la estructura de poder educar a ese comparecencias en la Corte de Boulevard, Cohune Walk Area, Belmopan niño y hacer que use esa educación Magistrados para audiencias • Lands and Surveys Department situated at No. 133 Corner Central para iniciar problemas de agitación preliminares. Un montón de American Boulevard and Cemetery Road, Belize City entre su oprimida gente de color. El molestias. I. The tender shall be for a period of two (2) years (March 1st, 2021 to niño de color recibirá capacitación, Al principio de este ensayo me February 28th, 2023) pero aquí hay un objetivo final en el referí a los niños de color. El color sentido de que la prioridad absoluta y la etnia no son temas principales II. The successful tender will be expected to provide the following del niño, de hecho, su enfoque como lo eran en Belize hace services:- exclusivo, debe ser la acumulación cincuenta años. Muchas veces me de habilidades y activos para él/ella parece que ninguno de nosotros i. Twenty-four (24) hour general armed security and solamente. Así es como lo dictaría comprende realmente los cambios surveillance services at its offices and compound including all buildings and fixtures erected thereon situated on Her la estructura de poder. que han tenido lugar en Belize, Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard, Cohune Walk, La estructura de poder permitirá excepto por el hecho de que las cosas Belmopan que los talentosos niños de color se han vuelto mucho más peligrosas ii. Ten (10) hours general armed security and surveillance entren en la Casa del Privilegio, pero y asesinas para los jóvenes negros services at its offices at No. 144 Corner Central American a ese niño no se le permitirá salir aquí. Boulevard and Cemetery Road. afuera y traer a ninguno de sus amigos En Belize, no soy tan iii. Allow only authorized persons/vehicles to enter the buildings del barrio a esa Casa del Privilegio. definitivamente negro como lo era en and compound En la Casa del Privilegio de la los Estados Unidos. Es importante iv. Assist in protecting employees from physical and verbal abuse v. Assist in protecting Ministry properties from theft and abuse estructura de poder, el egoísmo para entender que las diversas vi. Patrol and inspect said premises during and after normal el niño de color es una necesidad, un manifestaciones del poder blanco working hours requisito previo. tienen tanto poder que, mientras usted vii. Provide an incident report, in writing, for any incident or Recientemente, una escritora de la es negro en Estados Unidos, en accident occurring at the said premises Universidad de Belize, Ivory Kelly, Belize, Jamaica y otras posesiones viii. Report any suspicious movement around said premises tuvo unas palabras amables que decir británicas, usted, la misma persona, ix. Any other security task as may be agreed upon from time to sobre North Amerikkkan Blues, un es moreno. No existe tal cosa como time by contracting parties. libro que escribí hace cincuenta años “moreno” en Estados Unidos, solo Conditions for participation in the Tendering process: sobre mis tres años (1965-68) en una blanco y negro. Los blancos lo universidad en los Estados Unidos. definen a uno. Es raro. i. Demonstrate competence and professionalism in the provision of Hace un par de años le dije al Ahora bien, el punto más service hombre Assad Shoman que había importante que quería hacer en este ii. Duly registered as a company under the Laws of Belize and in good aspectos de Blues que me resultaban ensayo era que había cosas estúpidas standing (a letter from Belize Companies Registry is required) vergonzosos debido a la inmadurez que hice en la época de Blues que iii. Meet the deadline stated for submission of Tenders de esos aspectos. La respuesta del excusé con el argumento de que iv. Be prepared to negotiate the final contract price hermano Shoman fue, sin embargo, estaba haciendo investigación para All submissions must include the following: que así era como me sentí en ese futura escritura creativa. Nunca hice momento, por lo que la escritura era esa escritura creativa seria, i. Number of employees offered to provide the service válida, auténtica. esencialmente jubilándome de esa ii. Tender Price indicated in Belize dollars inclusive of GST by hour, Lo único que necesito decir hoy búsqueda después de una vergüenza week and year públicamente es que estaba tratando política en diciembre de 1977. iii. Two letters of reference de crear una impresión en Blues, Ahora vuelvo a Ivory Kelly. Los iv. Certificate from the Belize Tax Services indicating no outstanding porque tenía solo 23 años y dirigía escritores son personas de relevancia. taxes una organización militante de jóvenes Mi difunta madre pasó algunos años v. Certificate from the Social Security Board that no contributions are outstanding negros en ese momento, por lo que importantes de su vida creciendo en vi. Any other information, brochures, etc, in regards to the company sentí que necesitaba mostrarme tan Sittee River, un pueblo en la costa (optional) relevante y capaz como pude. Allí fue después de pasar Dangriga y donde se manifestó cierta inmadurez. Hopkins. Creo que la familia de Submission of tender must be made in a sealed envelope addressed to Chief Hubo una declaración que hice Ivory es de Sittee, así que, aunque Executive Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, en Blues que fue totalmente nunca la he conocido, la aprecio H.M. Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard, Cohune Walk Area, Belmopan, antisemita. Esa fue una declaración mucho. Belize. The envelope must be marked “Tender for the Security Services at tonta. Hice una declaración sobre las Ella escribió algunas palabras the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining” along with company name and contact information. mujeres blancas en Blues que fue sobre Blues recientemente, como estúpida. Estos son solo un par de dije antes, y esas pocas palabras me The deadline for the submission of tenders is Monday, January 25th, ejemplos de mi inmadurez en 1971. provocaron (¿inspiraron?) a decir 2021. Any tender received after this deadline will not be considered. Tenía, para repetir, 23 y 24 en ese cosas, en este Año Nuevo, que he momento, y pensé que era candente. querido decir durante décadas. Costs incurred for visiting the facilities to be maintained and the preparation Al mismo tiempo, estaba Gracias, Ivory. Bendiciones y of the tender bids are the sole responsibility of the tender. reaccionando de forma exagerada a mejores deseos. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining does not bind itself to accept the lowest tender and reserves the right to accept or reject any tender, and to annul the process and reject all tenders, at any time prior to award of contract, without incurring any liability to the affected prospective contractor or any obligation to assign any reason for the rejection of any KREM RADIO tender. Moments of Inspiration The public is advised that this notice can be accessed via https:// Sundays - 6:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. blz.cppnb.caricom.org Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 13

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER BELMOPAN COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell on site the following property at the VACANCY exists for the following post at the Belmopan Comprehensive time as listed. School, for the school year 2020/2021: Teacher of Business/Information Technology - Full Time Teacher of Spanish - Full Time

At No. 6976 North Creek Road, Belize City on Monday Teaching qualifications: A Bachelor’s Degree in the subject area with January 11, 2021 at 10:00a.m. educational component. An Associates Degree with teaching experience may be considered.

Applicantsfor teaching post should forward: SCHEDULE • Letter of application • Curriculum Vitae • Certified copy of Qualifications ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 311.04 • Certified copy of Teaching License square metres being Parcel 594, Block 45 in the Queens • Original Transcript Square West Registration Section situate at No. 6976 North • Copy of Social Security Creek Road, Belize City, Belize District TOGETHER with • Copy of Birth Certificate • Original Police Record a two-storey concrete apartment building containing on • Medical Form the ground floor level two one-bedroom apartment units • Two letters of recommendation from most recent employer with kitchen, dining and bathroom and on the first floor level a single apartment unit containing three bedrooms, Deadline: Wednesday January 13, 2021 two bathrooms, kitchen and dining the freehold property Address to: Secretary of MELONIE T. STAINE. Board of Management Belmopan Comprehensive School Ring Road Belmopan City DATED this 29th day of December 2020

All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact:

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: [email protected] Page 14 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 Farewell, Alba Argentina

PROCUREMENT NOTICE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Project Country: Belize Financing Institution: International Fund for Agricultural Development Project Name: Resilient Rural Belize Programme Title: Specific Procurement Notice Procurement Type: Consulting Services Procurement Post: Water Resource Management Officer Loan/Credit/Grant Financing No: 2000002301

Project Background:The Government of Belize (GOB), through a financing agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has embarked on a six-year Programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on smallholder farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce. The Programme will help farmers employ climate resilient agricultural practices and technologies; integrate by Dr. Virginia Smith profitable smallholder participation into the development of select vegetable, fruit, and honey value chains; and support smallholder production capacity through investments in public and private climate resilient infrastructure and in the I met Alba Mendez in 1988, our first strengthening of smallholder farmer Producers Organizations and relevant GOB Departments. year in Facultad de Medicina, of USAC. She was a beautiful young woman with Scope of Service: The Water Resource Management Officer will be responsible for overall guidance and management of long, flowing, black “Pocahontas”-type the institutional development related activities under the Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure (CRRIA) component of the hair whose entrance in the corridors or Resilient Rural Belize Programme (B-Resilient) in accordance with the recommendations to be provided by an International classroom was preceded many times by Consultant to be procured by the Programme. The Water Resource Management Officer will be responsible for activities the clicking of the heels she so loved to related to training, supporting, and guiding activities of the farmers’ group in establishment of Water Users’ Associations and in all the related aspects to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of the irrigation and drainage assets use back then. Her cheerful and excited constructed in the framework of the CRRIA component. chatter during breaks was attractive, especially to me, who always sat in a Duties and Responsibilities: corner, quiet, as I had not yet mastered The following will be the specific responsibility of the Water Resource Management Officer. Spanish. • Lead the implementation of an Integrated Water Resource Management under the Climate Resilient Rural Alba Argentina went on to become a Infrastructure (CRRIA) component. gynecologist/obstetrician and came to • Contribute substantial technical input into the development and administration of water management for agriculture Belize, where she married and by then (Rural Water) and sustainable development. had three lovely children. She worked in • Review and lead the development of agricultural water management policies, strategies and plans in conjunction her field, but quickly recognized the need with the Ministry of Agriculture. in Belize for oncology in gynecology and • Liaise with the Ministry of Agriculture and all relevant bodies to create synergy for the development of the relevant breast diseases. statutes and a step-by-step guidance for establishment of Water Users’ Associations in Belize’s rural areas. Assess She returned to Belize as an irrigation efficiency of subprojects and incorporate measures to improve efficiency in design with consultants. oncologist and quickly established her • Investigate existing irrigation systems and water management systems in the project area and develop irrigation oncology clinic, where she attended to maps describing locations or routes of irrigation facilities such as water resources, irrigated areas, canals, and many women who had concerns or pumping stations ailments related to cervical and breast • Develop relevant training manuals for all aspects of irrigation management including operations of Water Users’ cancer. She served as president of the Associations, crop water requirement, irrigation scheduling, methods of irrigation, irrigation service fee determination Belize Cancer Society for some years and application, financial management of WUAs, decision making, conflict resolution etc. and represented Belize in many • Provide relevant support and training to group of farmers for establishment of their WUAs and on operational international women’s health aspects. conferences on prevention and control • Participate and contribute to discussions with applicant, design companies and other interested parties in decision of cancer. Her work in Belize was making during the construction stage. endless, and included her participation • As a member of the PMU, prepare annual work plans and budgets for institutional development related activities, provide reports and information on infrastructure investment operations as necessary to the Programme Manager in innumerable workshops with technical and contribute to progress reports. staff throughout the country, during which she provided training in sample- Qualifications: The Water Resource Management Officer must possess: taking and techniques for performing a • Minimum of a BSc. Degree in Natural Resources, Water Resources, Irrigation, Hydraulics, Agriculture, or relevant PapSmear. field. A degree in Agriculture Water Management would be considered an asset. Her heart was always with the suffering mothers and young women in Specific Experience: The Water Resource Management Officer must possess: Belize who arrived from all over the • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in water management. country, requesting help in addressing • Minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with community leaders and organizations with focus on rural gynecological problems and breast development. disease, many unable to repay her • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience with the general principles and aspects of irrigation and drainage systems immediate assistance. management. She fell ill two years ago and fought a • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in water sector design and administration. battle no living being should have faced. • Any experience in development of policies will be considered an asset. Science and medicine still fall so terribly short of relieving our suffering during In addition, the Water Resource Management Officer must be computer literate and must possess excellent communication these types of illnesses. skills. Candidate must be pragmatic, creative, and energetic. But Alba Argentina was even more than an amazing physician. She Application Submission: epitomizes that extremely strong woman Interested candidates are requested to submit a Letter of Interest, Curriculum Vitae, and two (2)References or who has had to educate herself, raise Recommendation letters along with a copy of the highest degreeas one PDF File. The submission deadline is Thursday, her children alone and still carry on her January 28, 2021 at 2:00pmusing the following File Request Link:https://bit.ly/3mhpZB9 . much-needed profession with a smile Note that only Electronic Submissions will be accepted! Applications are to be addressed to the Procurement Officer as and cheerful attitude. She was a role follows: model for many of the young women Attn: Tracey Recinos Hanson who worked alongside us at BHPL, and Procurement Officer I have listened in recent days to many of Resilient Rural Belize Programme them recount the ways she influenced National Agriculture Showground them. Hummingbird Highway This woman is not dead; she lives on Belmopan, Belize Please turn toPage 16 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 15

Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme Global ICCA Support Initiative (GSI) COVID-19 Support to Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (ICCAs) in Belize Call for Proposals

Objectives to 18 months and to have a maximum budget of US$50,000.00. All proposals Phase 2 of the Global ICCA Support Initiative (GSI) has been extended to will be reviewed and approved by the GEF SGP National Steering Committee provide support to territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples (NSC). The organisation will compile a plan of action to respond to the COVID- and local communities (ICCAs), with a focus on forty-five (45) countries 19 crisis affecting either individual or multiple ICCAs and communities in participating in the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by Belize. As part of the submission, the proponent civil society organization United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The ICCA GSI is funded by must include the following elements: the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry of the Environment and Nuclear Safety (BMU). a. A work plan and justified budget about when and how it will take action to fulfil an appropriate combination of activities, indicating but not limited In alignment with the GEF SGP Country Programme Strategy (CPS) in Belize to: (i) overall context on the specific ICCA, or group of ICCAs; (ii) information for the GEF SGP 7th Operational Phase (OP7) running from 2020-2024 and on previous grants and partnerships to strengthen the ICCAs; (iii) proposed relevant National COVID-19 Response and Recovery Plan, proposals from activities to be undertaken to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. eligible civil society organisations are invited to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. National and local civil society organisations (including community- b. The list of expected activities and timing of delivery for a period of up to based organisations, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples organisations) are 18 months, starting in early 2021 through to mid-2023, should be in line encouraged to apply based on the list of eligible criteria presented below. with and respond to the GEF SGP OP7 Country Programme Strategy in Belize. The proponent organization will be expected to work closely with the GEF SGP National Coordinator (NC) in Belize, as well as other partners such as the national ICCA network and/or global ICCA Consortium.

c. Details on the specific experience and capacities of the proponent civil society organisation, including with respect to (i) community-based conservation; (ii) facilitation of networks and joint learning; (iii) monitoring and evaluation of conservation and/or governance initiatives; and (iv) capacity to work with spatial and monitoring data.

Qualifications • Demonstrated commitment to protect and defend territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities (ICCAs); • Knowledge and awareness of biodiversity conservation efforts at the national level; • Experience in organizing and hosting consultations and capacity development activities with indigenous peoples and local communities; • Capacity to produce high quality written reports according to deadlines; • Familiarity with key issues related to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), especially as they relate to indigenous peoples and local communities, considered an advantage

How can proponent organizations apply for a Grant? Eligible organizations should prepare a proposal (15 pages maximum) using the standard GEF SGP proposal format and guidelines. Proponent organizations must ensure their proposed project ideas are responding to the COVID19 thematic categories and aligned to the GEF SGP OP7 Country Programme Strategy. The proposal format and the OP7 Country Programme Strategy can be requested via email at [email protected]. For additional information please visit the GEF SGP website, www.sgp.undp.org.

The closing date for submission of proposals is on 29 J anuary 2021 a t 17:00 hours. Proposals that are not completed in the GEF SGP format and submitted after the deadline will not be considered and will be rejected. Complete proposals should be submitted electronically to [email protected] and addressed to: Criteria Civil society organizations (CSOs) wishing to apply to the ICCA COVID-19 initiative will be expected to submit a proposal in line with the prevailing The National Coordinator socio-economic, cultural, health and sanitary context of the COVID-19 GEF Small Grants Programme pandemic in Belize. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 822 2462 / 610-8735 Individual ICCA COVID-19 projects will be expected to last for a duration up Website: www.sgp.undp.org Page 16 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 From the Publisher

Reproduced from page 9 of the Tuesday, January 5, 2021, #3427 issue of Amandala

On the occasion of the passing of she was an unknown in Belize outside know what this Governor-General name one. Dame Minita Gordon last Friday, a lady of education circles. Dame Minita did business was all about. Today, almost It appears, however, that it had of surpassing dignity and decency, not come from the royal Creole elite. forty years later, we Belizeans have the become the custom for the triumphant, Belize’s first Governor-General and the In fact, I believe she may have been the feeling that the power of the Governor- ruling party to instruct the Governor- first lady Governor-General in the child of unmarried parents. General is almost unlimited, except that General whom that worthy should British Commonwealth, it behooves me The PUP was loved amongst roots it is almost always merely ceremonial. appoint as her Senator, so that in effect to express the opinion that the ruling people in the party’s early decades In Belize, the Governor-General, it was six Senators for the ruling party, People’s United Party (PUP), amidst precisely because of moves like naming whether Dame Minita or Sir Colville, and none for the GG. all the hoopla and, to a substantial a lady of humble birth to the exalted has never done anything of a In early July of 1993, Dame Minita extent, controversy, of Belize’s office of Governor-General, the GG controversial nature, but the power is named the publisher of this newspaper, Independence events in September of being the representative in there. The Governor-General is yours truly, as her choice for the Senate. 1981, did a really poor job of Commonwealth nations of the Queen Buckingham Palace. The circumstances of the situation were publicizing the quality of their GG of England, Elizabeth II. The 1981 Independence constitution murky: those circumstances have never choice - Dame Minita. At the time of Independence in 1981, of Belize had called for the ruling party been discussed publicly in Belize. But, Dame Minita was a Belizean of rare very few of us Belizeans understood to name five Senators to the upper all the indications are that the newly talent and accomplishment when the the limited nature of our political House; the Opposition would name elected United Democratic Party (UDP) PUP named her Governor-General, but independence, so we really did not two, and the Governor-General would government was totally incensed by my being named to the Senate. My sources told me that the UDP had already chosen a lady who would be the GG’s Senator, the ruling UDP’s sixth. There was another huge controversy in the early days of that Esquivel UDP, narrowly elected to office on June 30, 1993, which involved the charge that the PUP’s Harry Courtenay, Winston Smiling and “Raindrops” Swan had conspired to pay two newly elected UDP area representatives - Cayo’s Salvador Fernandez and Dangriga’s Russell “Chiste” Garcia, to cross the floor and join the PUP. The UDP having won by a slim 16-13 margin in seats, such a conspiracy, if successful, would have had the effect of changing things to a 15-14 majority. The whole thing was astounding and preposterous, and again, the principals of both the UDP and the PUP have never spoken publicly of the matter, I mean in detail. The question subsequent history has never answered is why was Dame Minita Gordon replaced in 1993 as Governor-General by Sir Colville Young, and how was the process negotiated and consummated. Remember, the British, I submit, would have had to be involved. The British High Commission would have had to be consulted. I rest this case.

Power to the people. Farewell, Alba Argentina Continued from Page 14 in each of the persons who encountered her, and those she helped or influenced. She delivered countless numbers of our babies. Her hands touched so many human beings. Her last professional assistance to me was her act of delivering and placing in my hands my beautiful baby granddaughter. She has moved on into a bright, better unknown, but her story will truly live on in all our hearts.

Farewell, my friend. Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 17 An Ode to Teachers

calling to ensure that adequate and effective material is provided to students, and that parents are apprised accordingly and kept abreast of their Position description children’s progress. Furthermore, they have utilized their own resources to Title: Marine Protected Areas Business Developer keep in contact with parents and Location: Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and Belize City students and even conducted home Appointment: TBC - 12-month appointment renewable, consultancy expert visits when necessary. contract So as teachers all over the country are gearing up for another round of Context: The Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) is responsible for the remote learning, let us take a minute to day-to-day co-management of the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve. TASA’s hail and salute our teachers. They are activities include Community Development & Engagement, Biodiversity truly unsung heroes who (just like the Conservation & Science, Sustainable Revenues, Management & Infrastructure, frontline workers) have worked Law Compliance. indefatigably and with much perseverance throughout this pandemic. Blue Finance is a social enterprise implementing solutions for the sustainable They faced many challenges and uphill financing of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). battles, and time and time again they TASA and Blue finance are partners to implement solutions with the private rose to the challenge and overcame. sector for the sustainable financing for the management of the Turneffe Atoll Felicitations Salute to all you amazing and wonderful Marine Reserve. Permit me, dear readers, to offer teachers, and know that you are greatly warmest felicitations to a dear brother, valued and that your service is much We are looking for a dynamic professional to develop and implement revenues Mr. Marco Lopez, on his rise to the appreciated. Keep on, keeping on! generation mechanism for the MPA. esteemed post of Editor-in-Chief of this The World Watched in Awe most prestigious paper. Also, permit me Finally, and quite unrelated to my General duties and responsibilities of the Business Developer: a. Participate in the definition, budgeting and planning of the MPA Business to extend my salutations to Mr. Russell central topic, the entire world came to Development Plan and Strategy (i.e. Primarily Tourism and Fisheries). Vellos for his stellar and devoted service a screeching halt yesterday. We tuned The strategy will include the development of new attractions and facilities to this organization. He’s truly a giant in to our television sets and watched in and services (such as a wreck, cultural presentations, VR cinema solutions among men. Additionally, awe as one of the most astounding in hotels, under water trails, sport fishing improvements, Blue Carbon, congratulations are in order to the measures of insurrection unfolded lobster inventory work, seaweed mariculture etc.), communication and Amandala for making such a statement before our very eyes. I, much like the marketing. Content will be based on consultations with dive-shops, hotels in appointing Mr. Lopez to fill such a rest of the world, was astonished, and other tourism and fisheries service providers to identify clear needs linked to the MPA that will benefit their activity and revenues. noble position. I’m certain that he will flabbergasted, to say the least, as b. Coordinate the implementation of the MPA tourism and/or a fisheries excel, because this organization ensures citizens of the United States of America strategy; Build and strengthen long-term relationships and networks with no less. Congratulations are in order! overtook the Capitol. tourism, institutional partners and fisheries related service providers and Saluting Our Teachers One simply could not believe or even partners. That aside, now shifting gears, the begin to fathom what was taking place. c. Assist experts during the planning and design activities of the digital visitor delivery of education in this country is As I watched in awe and sheer disbelief, centre. (One revenue generation option is the development of digital virtual set to resume on Monday, January 11. I was taken aback by the very reality visitor’s centre that can be used by tourist and schools alike. The visitors and students would be encouraged to engage and donate to the Given the battle we continue to face with derailment of their sovereign reserve. (See Blue Finance Pitch Deck Attached with the revenue this pandemic, students still will not be democracy and the sheer disregard for generation options identified thus far.) able to physically return to classes for the peaceful transfer of power, which d. Define the marketing and branding strategy of the MPA with support from face-to-face learning. The resumption of has been a most sacred institution for local stakeholders and communication agencies. Elements include 4Ps the delivery of pedagogical services will centuries. Yesterday was a very sad day strategy, communication elements, image design, media strategy, continue online for those for whom it’s for America and an eye-opener for the partnerships, planning and budget. applicable, and of course, through paper- rest of the world. e. Develop and implement a strategy with dive-shops, hotels and other tourism based methodology for the masses. However, somehow, as I reflect on service providers for the User Fee implementation and enforcement. User fees can be statutory and/or voluntary. Several technological options for This then means that teachers all all that happened yesterday in such a the collection of user fee will be proposed and implemented. across the country are gearing up for great nation, I am not entirely surprised. f. Define and implement eco-tourism community enterprises and trainings another round of remote learning. Be it It could happen anywhere and at with fishers including: fisher training and employment in wildlife monitoring online, paper-based or a hybrid anytime, because democracy is a fragile and enforcement; Coral restoration gardeners; Resource monitoring; Eco- (blended) model, teachers are busy thing, and the will of a people is rather guide training and employment; Professional training for dive tourism and preparing their lessons and activities for indomitable. But more than just that, support services including Scuba, commercial and boat skippering and Monday, January 11. This pandemic Bible principles remind us that we are mechanics, lifeguarding, hospitality services, operations management and computer skills. has really thrust teachers into alternative living in the last days. The times that g. Work on possible opportunities for scaling up the Impact Investment Model means of delivery without fair warning we are in are critical and we must brace to the Fishing Cooperatives and other Marine Protected Areas. or apt time for preparation and ourselves and be ready for whatever adaptation. It has required teachers to comes. Qualifications & Requirements realign their strategies and, in some We are reminded of the words from • At least 3+ years of business development experience, ideally in the field instances, forced them out of their 2 Timothy 3: 1-5: of tourism, with sales and negotiation experience. comfort zones. “3 But mark this: There will be • MSc in sales, marketing or business administration would be preferred. • Strong communication and presentation skills both in-person and online I often read and listen as many terrible times in the last days. 2 People • Fluent in both English and Spanish, with good writing skills persons complain that teachers “have will be lovers of themselves, lovers of • Ability to analyse and monitor the market, but also find new markets it good” and that the work that they are money, boastful, proud, abusive, • Affinity for the ocean (diving certification would be an asset) doing is less than burdensome. But such disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, • A flexible mind, enjoy challenging and leading the team and yourself, statements cannot be further from the unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, fearless to give and receive feedback and know how to prioritize. truth. Such statements are actually acts slanderous, without self-control, brutal, of repudiation and are an outright not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, Benefits travesty, to say the least. Teachers have rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure • Use your business development and sales skills to help our oceans • Grow your professional skills and personality through real responsibility worked and are continuing to work rather than lovers of God— 5 having a and see our outreach expand tirelessly throughout this pandemic to form of godliness but denying its • Be part of a highly skilled international entrepreneurial group of people ensure that our nation’s children are power. Have nothing to do with such who strive for diversity and welcome input from all team members meaningfully engaged, kept on track people.” and are afforded the necessary I say to you, fellow readers, that Financial appointments: instruction and activities that are needed these are some critical times. The days First 12 months: consultancy contract to support and foster learning. ahead will be crucial and laborious. But After 12 months: Employment contract based on a fixed-salary package completed with a performance-bonus. Teachers all across this country have hold strong and stand firm in the truth, been forced to adapt without fair ‘cause after all, we are all in this Enquiry & Submission warning and with little training and together; and moreover, only (we) the Deadline for Submission: 25th January 2021 inadequate provision of the requisite people can save the people! Send your CV, including 3 references, or questions to: [email protected] resources to effectively execute their Unchained reflections of a liberal and [email protected] duties. Teachers have used the little that pragmatist. Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association email: [email protected] is afforded to them, adapted to the times Blue finance email: [email protected] and have gone above and beyond their God Bless Belize! Page 18 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021

Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 19 New Board of Directors at GSU rebranded GI3 National Bank

BELMOPAN. Thurs. Dec. 31 2020 Superintendent Linden Flowers and will BELMOPAN, Mon. Jan. 4, 2021 2021. In a release issued on December 31st, hit the street effective January 1st. In a letter addressed to Alvaro The new board of directors will be the Belize Police Department informed the The GSU was formed in 2011 under Alamina, the General Manager of the taking over as the National Bank public that the Commissioner of Police, the leadership of Marco Vidal. The unit National Bank of Belize, Prime Minister endeavors to license the first digital Chester Williams, has authorized the received specialized training in John Briceño announced his newly currency infrastructure in Belize. They disbandment of the Gang Suppression combating gang warfare from chosen board of directors. The Articles are planning to partner with Bitt, a Unit and the Anti-Gang Task Force a counterpart in the United States and of Association of the bank confer fintech company to roll out an eWallet (AGTF). This decision is in line with developed a reputation for harsh police authority to the Prime Minister to make which will be used by Belizean Prime Minister Briceno’s commitment to raids and use of at times extreme such board appointments. businesses and consumers to access remove the GSU off the street of Belize. physical force. They were deployed Hon. Briceño has appointed Thomas simple and secure online payment The para-military units will be replaced across Belize city and in other gang- Tillett as chairman of the Board. His solutions. by the Gang Intelligence, Investigation and ridden areas in the country. other appointees to the board are Oscar The hopes are that this new Interdiction unit abbreviated the GI3. In a November 2020 Interview the Arnold, Arsenio Burgos, Ashanti Martin technology will aid the institution in While officers in GSU uniforms will COMPOL shared,” after we do the re- and Carlo Habet. These board helping its clients and the wider public no longer be on the street, the COMPOl branding, we will insert a commander members will serve on the board for a to recover from the global economic has said that over the next few weeks, who will be able to fashion that new three-year period, effective January 4, crisis. personnel and equipment from the GSU direction that we want the GSU to go. I and AGTF will be redeployed across the believe that once we do that then we department. This means those officers, should be on good footing in terms of trained for hardline tactical policing will the public seeing that there is the move Visit us at remain within the ranks of the Police on the part of the police government to www.amandala.com.bz Department. be able to ensure that every citizen is The new GI3 will be led by Senior treated with respect by the police.” Page 20 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 New BWS board

The appointment came into effect on January 4, 2021. Cornelio Acosta was appointed the chairman of the BWS board. Other appointed members include Ashton Longsworth, Crescencio Sosa, Jr., Elijio Briceño, Jose “Pepe” Garcia, Keith Mira, Ivar Medina, Carmelita Blanco and Dr. Victor Rosado. The press release added, “The Belize Social Security Board has a seat on BWS’s Board but has not yet appointed their new representative.” “BWS welcomes all the BELIZE CITY. Wed. Jan. 6, 2021 Directors and looks forward to their In a press release issued by the Belize contributions as we continue our Water Services on Wednesday, January mission to improve the lives of 6, 2021, the utility company announced consumers by delivering cost-effective the appointment of the company’s new and sustainable supply of high-quality board of directors by Prime Minister water and waste water services to and Minister of Finance, Hon. John communities which we serve,” the Briceño. release further said. Sunday Review News Review Talk Show On Krem TV & Krem Radio Live-streaming on Krem Television Face Book Page Host: Abla/Ellen Sue Joseph Co-Host: Abla/Ellen Sue Joseph Date: Sunday, January 10, 2021 Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon Guest: Gianny Chable/Frontline worker who contracted COVID-19 and suffered an immense loss from COVID-19. Sunday Review will be repeated at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 21 Page 22 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 23 NEAB vigorously oppose creation cannabis industry The NEAB says that they are shocked that now is the opportune time for the and offended by the consideration of the roll-out of the industry given the dire Minister to roll out a “marijuana industry economic position of the country. in Belize” during the time of a national “Whether we like it or not, marijuana, pandemic. They believe that the cannabis is consumed in Belize on a daily suggestion that the legalization of the basis. It is already recreationally legal, cannabis industry will add to the already, and so all that we are doing is substance abuse issue already plaguing saying that we need to make it benefit our the country. They also noted that the view country in terms of our economy. There BELIZE CITY, Weds. Dec. 30, 2020 The release states, “We state with the that the legalization of this industry will is no greater time than now because of The National Evangelical Association greatest disappointment that the Hon. curb gang rivalries and tuff battles is the challenges that we face with COVID, of Belize issued a press release on Minister’s philosophy of mere “economic misguided. because of the dire state that our economy Wednesday, December 30th expressing benefit” while disregarding moral In his interview, Minister of New is in. concerns over the creation of the boundaries is a flawed philosophy that Growth Industries, Kareem Musa shared We do need whatever help we can get Cannabis Industry in Belize announce by has plunged nationals into the throes of that cannabis is already used widely and if we can get help and economic relief Kareem Musa, Minister of New Growth corruption, wickedness, and darkness.” across the country and is recreationally Industries. legal since decriminalization. He shared Please turn toPage 24 Page 24 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021

VACANCY LIQUOR LICENCE Greetings, Editor-in-Chief at VACANCY: Publics Supermarket Seine Bight is looking for an individual NOTICE Amandala, Marco Lopez for the position of Facilities and Supermarket Manager. Please if LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: interested email at Notice is hereby given that Dominique The UBAD Educational Foundation as the CARICOM and ALBA [email protected] Rosado is applying for a Shop Liquor (UEF) recognizes and supports the TCP, level. VACANCY: Nuguya Bakery is in Licence, to be operated at Martha’s wisdom of Amandala’s management in 2. Ideas and grounding need of staff to work at St. Thomas Groceries, 9068 Mahogany Street, Belize choosing Marco Lopez, a conscious regarding social, cultural, Street, Ladyville, Belize District. Contact City, under the Intoxicating Liquor Black Belizean youth, as Amandala’s new economic, and political number: 638-8641. Licence Ordinance Revised Edition Editor-in-Chief. Congratulations, Brother forces, particularly as VACANCY: Exists for a male Battery 2000. Marco. members of Kremandala, a and Automobile Diagnostic Technician. LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: UEF is the social consciousness legacy of the UBAD Interested candidate must possess a 4th Notice is hereby given that Manuel Sui component of the Kremandala media organization. form minimum education; valid driver’s is applying for a Shop Liquor Licence, conglomerate, and as such we look license for both motor cycle and to be operated at Sui’s Shop, #9 House, forward to being a resource for: In Solidarity! automobile. Experience and being Main Street, Valley of Peace, Cayo, 1. Regional and international bilingual is an asset. Kindly send under the Intoxicating Liquor Licence connections on the grassroots YaYa Marin Coleman application to email: [email protected] Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. Black and Indigenous, as well UEF Chairperson VACANCY: Sale Representative. LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: High School Graduate. Self-Motivated/ Notice is hereby given that Aracely Botes Innovative. Call us: 222-4091 is applying for the renewal of a Publican Special Liquor Licence, to be operated Día de George Price, 15 de enero at El Rancho Restaurant and Bar, Mile Continua de página 8 Según una fuente histórica, FOR RENT 47 George Price Highway, Belmopan,  Trinidad y Tobago se convirtió en under the Intoxicating Liquor Licence de agosto. Y, lo que sea el caso, el primer país independiente del FOR RENT: Apartment at #19 King Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. algunas personas, incluida la mundo en declarar un feriado Street. Couples only. Phone: 607-0746 LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: presidenta de UEF, Yaya Marin nacional para conmemorar la FOR RENT: Approx. 3,000 sq. ft. Notice is hereby given that Belize Island Coleman, no están del todo abolición de la esclavitud el 1 de commercial space on Central American Holdings Limited is applying for a agosto de 1985, y en esta nación Boulevard: high ceilings, open-floor plan, satisfechas con el cambio de Publican Special Licence for year 2021 caribeña, el Día de la Emancipación tiled floors throughout + full bath. for Laughing Bird Bar &Grill to be nombre. Si la intención es resaltar reemplazó al Día del Superb location w-enormous operated at Harvest Caye and Bar, under el significado histórico de la possibilities w-access to main highways. the Intoxicating Liquor Licence emancipación, ¿por qué cambiar Descubrimiento”, que Ideal for professional or retail rental. Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. el nombre del feriado a Día de la conmemoró la llegada de Cristóbal Contact Mr. Lewis @ 501-607-4050 or LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: Libertad? Y si la intención NO es Colón a Moruga el 31 de julio de Phil @201-637-1590 Notice is hereby given that Sharane Jex celebrar el Día de la 1498, como feriado nacional”. FOR RENT: One 2-bedroom Diaz is applying for a Convenience Store Emancipación, la pregunta es, Algunos otros países que apartment situated on Sunflower Street. Licence, to be operated at Xaibel Service ¿por qué no? Una posible celebran el Día de la Fully tiled, washing machine space, hot Station Ltd., 6 ½ Miles, Stann Creek explicación podría ser que el Emancipación el 1 de agosto son and cold water. Asking for $650.00 Valley Rd., Stann Creek Valley, under deseo era desviar la atención de Anguila, Las Bahamas, Barbados monthly. Contact Mr. Lewis @607-4050 the Intoxicating Liquor Licence los dolorosos recuerdos de la y Jamaica; mientras que otros or 207-7765 Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. esclavitud inevitablemente que utilizan un día o días a LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: asociados con la “Emancipación” principios de agosto para celebrar Notice is hereby given that Juana Milagro y, en cambio, dirigir la atención y el Día de la Emancipación incluyen LIQUOR LICENCE Matus is applying for a Shop Liquor el enfoque de la nación hacia la Antigua y Barbuda, Bermudas, Licence, to be operated at Mila’s Shop, idea universalmente positiva de Islas Vírgenes Británicas, Canadá, NOTICE 6587 Matura Street, Belize City, Belize, “Libertad”. Dominica, Granada, Saint Kitts y under the Intoxicating Liquor Licence Pero si es así, ¿por qué? ¿Por Nevis y San Vicente y las LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. qué los judíos no han tratado de Granadinas. Notice is hereby given that Mr. Llwellyn LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: borrar su memoria del En Belize, al principio parecería Williams is applying for the renewal of a Notice is hereby given that John D’Silva Holocausto? que estábamos siguiendo el Shop Liquor Licence, to be operated at is applying for a Publican Special Liquor Muchos ciudadanos se alegran ejemplo de Trinidad y Tobago, Santiago Castillo Ltd., Belize Corozal Licence, to be operated at Bull Frog Inn, de tener un día festivo para porque nuestro feriado Road, under the Intoxicating Liquor 23/25 Halfmoon Ave, Belmopan, under cualquier propósito y no harán un previamente celebrado el 12 de Licence Ordinance Chapter 117 of the the Intoxicating Liquor Licence escándalo por el nombre, octubre, conocido primero como laws of Belize Revised Edition 2000. Ordinance Revised Edition 2000. especialmente si su indiferencia “Día de Colón” y luego como “Día es alimentada por la ignorancia del Panamericano”, ha sido tema; pero muchos otros valoran eliminado y reemplazado por el NEAB vigorously oppose... mucho el potencial de que el feriado del 1 de agosto, por lo Continued from Page 23 the national church is interested, perhaps nombre sea un vehículo para la que se asume que la fecha de  he should ask the Church?!” iluminación y el empoderamiento agosto marca el Día de la from the cannabis industry, as well the The NEAB has adamantly opposed de un pueblo que ya ha sido Emancipación. Pero el nombre tourism industry, as well as the agriculture the decriminalization of marijuana in víctima de un sistema de “Día de la Libertad” lo vuelve industry, it can all play a part in bouncing Belize, in 2017. At the time, 225 members “educación de lavado del menos claro. Y nuevamente la back our economy.” Musa said. signed a petition protesting the cerebro”. pregunta, ¿por qué? During his interview, he also shared decriminalization of marijuana. They Un feriado del Día de la Tal vez no sea demasiado that the Government intends to set aside shared, “ Becoming a “Marijuana Emancipación no es un concepto tarde para que los que tienen 10% of the revenue generated from the Republic” will further justify a fully further nuevo, y Belize no estaría autoridad reconsideren y vuelvan degrade Belize’s relationship with Cannabis Industry to an education fund de nuevo. that will be used to fulfill their manifesto international banks and have severe abriendo caminos aquí. promise for free education. ramifications on our banking sector and The NEAB misinterpret this declaration economy.” believing those funds would be aside for In their release the NEAB urged the “Church Education.” The release said, “ Government of Belize to look into the Visit us at Hon. Minister Musa suggested a “tithe” creation of other beneficial industries and www.amandala.com.bz for Church Education –we don’t believe not cannabis. Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 25

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST VACANCIES VACANCY FORDIRECTOR - ** Come join ourTeam ** BUILDING CONTROL UNIT OF THE CENTRAL BUILDING AUTHORITY Site Director– The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Infrastructure responsible for overall Site management and Client Development and Housing, is desirous of recruiting a suitably qualified and performance management as it relates to Employee experienced Registered Architect /Engineer to fill the vacant position of engagement, Client Satisfaction and Financial Performance. Director for the Building Control Unit (BCU) of the Central Building Authority (CBA). The position to be filled is on contractual basis and the remuneration Responsibilities and Duties package to be awarded is based on the candidate’s qualifications and • Enable and Support growth and development of Operations team experience. The Director will be supervised by eleven (11) Directors of the • Regularly scheduled 1 on 1 with Ops Managers to review: Board of the CBA which sits on a monthly basis or as the need requires/ • Program Performance • Action Plans demands. The Director is an Ex-Officio member of the CBA Board, providing • Personal Development Plans administrative and operational oversight of the BCU to the Board. • Team Leads’ performance and development plans • Conduct skip level meetings to garner feedback to support Ops Manager The Director’s place of employment and office is located in theCity of growth • Participate and Monitor the section process for OM’s and TL’s Belmopan, CayoDistrict and he/shereports to the Chairman of the Board of • Support HR, Facilities and Operations Managers to enforce all company policies Directors of the CBA.He/shewill have a team of inspectors and other office and procedures at the center support staff to assist him/herin carrying out his/herresponsibilities and duties • Weekly Site-Level Department head meetings as the Director/Head of the BCU. He/shewill be required to travel extensively • Review and action plan any Disciplinary policies or HR policies not being followed • Review and ensure a healthy, Safe and effective work environment across the country to perform his/herduties as outlined in the attached Terms • Develop a communication plan for any changes or matters that need addressing of Reference which forms a part of the terms and conditions of his/her at the site contract. • Takes lead and responsibility for ensuring client satisfaction • Supports the relationship between Account Managers and Operations The Ministry ofInfrastructure Development and Housing, through the Central Managers • Meets regularly with both to strategize on improvement actions Building Authority, wishes to procure the services of a suitably qualified and • Communicate and strategize with SVP on any client related issues experienced Registered Architect/Engineer to assist the Authoritywith • The Face of the site for any Site or Client visits reviewingbuilding designs/developments as well as to monitor the construction • Overall responsibility for site financial goals and results of these developments in accordance with the requirements of the Belize • Create a yearly site budget based on known client and expense factors • Ensures the control and minimization of overhead costs. Building Act, Chapter 131, 2011 Revised and 2017 Amendment. • Meet with Department heads to review costs and budgets for departmental expenses The Ministry ofInfrastructure Development and Housing, through the CBA, • Review and discuss leadership ratios, attrition and overtime costs with now invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals to indicate their Operations Managers interest in filling this position. Interested individuals should submit their • Develops plans to reduce leakage • Meets and engages during Site Director meetings to discuss company planning curriculum vitae providing sufficient information establishing their • Gives feedback and suggestions for Client Implementation locations qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services in accordance • Collaborates with other Site Directors and Executive Leaders on company with the prescribed minimum requirements. initiatives

Required Knowledge and Skills In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to appropriate • Proficiency in Microsoft Office software systems and the ability to learn new professional and academic qualifications and a minimum of 5 years of software programs. experience in the areas of architectural/structural design and construction • Superior oral and written communication skills. supervision of Residential, Commercial and Public Building Developments • Strong Financial Acumen. • Leadership Development facilitation skills. constructed with the various types of construction materials available on the • Strong Coaching and Feedback experience. market. The minimum qualifications required for the position to be filled are • Ability to multi-task and work independently to complete tasks in a timely listed below as follows: manner. • Excellent organizational and prioritizing skills. • Bachelor’s Degree in either Architectural or Structural /Civil/ • Strong follow-up skills with attention to detail. • Excellent customer service and positive interpersonal skills. Construction Engineering • The ability to work and collaborate with employees at all levels within different • Be a Registered Member of APEB/APAB offices. • Proven strong skills in communication and project management • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. • Fluency in spoken and written English • Ability to work in high-pressure, fast pace environment. • • Ability to work flexible hours with the possibility of working outside of Spanish language skills will be an added advantage contractual hours. • Proficiency in usage of computers and office software packages • Ability to give and receive feedback appropriately. • Competency in use of AutoCAD and Civil-3D • Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality. • Competency in use of project control software such as MS Project or equivalent Education/Experience • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management or related field, or relative work Interested consultants may obtain further information and request the full experience, which includes 10+ years’ experience in Call Center Leadership. Terms of Reference (TOR) for the position at the address below during the • Related work experience in training and development, instructional design, hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm local Belize time, Monday to Friday. All teaching, or related work. • Experience in the Call Center or Sales or Service-related industry a plus, but not information must be submitted in English. a requirement. • Microsoft Office skills (Word, PPT and Web Proficiency a must; Excel skills a plus) Ascanned copy of the Expression of Interest, including CV along with names of two (2) references and their contact information, must be submitted to the Project Execution Unit Offices via email at the address indicated below by Human Resource Manager– 10:00 am local Belize time on February 1, 2021. responsible for overseeing all aspects of employee relations. This The Government of Belize will not be bound to defray any costs incurred by role provides consultative support to the Operations team an applicant in the preparation and submission of the Expression of Interest. Full job description available online at transparentbpo.com/careers Chairman Central Building Authority Come check us out and see if you have what it takes to join our team. Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Apply online today! Belmopan transparentbpo.com/careers. For inquiries, please contact us E-mail: [email protected] at [email protected] or via WhatsApp @ 6132809. Please Phone No. 828-5005 note we are only considering applications done via our online portal. Page 26 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 27 Page 28 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 29 Page 30 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021 Former Lands Commissioner Teen dies from Acute Under Investigation Respiratory Distress

of Lands: Gaspar Vega, Dr. found Itza’s body in a bed. Carla Barnett and, most Investigators learned that recently, Hugo Patt. some time after 10:00 p.m. on According to local media New Year’s Eve night, the teen reports, Vallejos’ home was was at home with his mother raided on Monday by the and complained of abdominal police’s Mobile Interdiction pain, after which he exited the Team, who were accompanied residence to use the outhouse, by BDF soldiers. They and his mother knew nothing allegedly found $69,800 in of his subsequent cash, Belizean currency; as well whereabouts until police as $10,000 pesos and $1,170 officers went to the home to US dollars. The Financial inform her of his passing. Intelligence Unit was then called Investigators believe that in to perform an assessment of Itza left his mother’s home the cash. and went to Puc’s residence, 7News reported that a family which is in the same village, member of Vallejos suggested where he consumed alcohol that the cash that was found with others. COROZAL DISTRICT, Mon. Jan. 4, could be the proceeds of cane farming, Puc told police that 2021 since Vallejos’ mother is a major cane sometime around 2:00 a.m., On Monday afternoon, police raided farmer. She also lives at the residence he told the teen to go into his the home of former Lands and was allegedly detained by police at room to sleep, and in the Commissioner, Wilbert Vallejos, in the time of the search. Reports are that CAYO DISTRICT, Thurs. Jan. 7, morning, Itza was found Patchakan Village, Corozal. They found police returned to the home to confiscate 2021 unresponsive. tens of thousands of dollars in Vallejos’ personal computer. It has been determined by a post- In an interview earlier this week, undeclared cash in varying currencies, Recently, Prime Minister Hon. John mortem examination that Myron Itza, Assistant Commissioner of Police and subsequently detained the ex-top Briceño told the public that large plots the 14-year-old from San Jose Succotz Joseph Myvett, Head of the National bureaucrat of the Lands Department. of land were given away to UDP cronies Village, Cayo District, who passed Crime Investigation Branch (NCIB), Last week, Vallejos was also in the before the November 2020 elections. away on New Year’s Day, died of had indicated, prior to a post-mortem news after he announced his resignation Vallejos was at the helm of the Lands “acute respiratory distress”. examination on Itza’s body, that as Commissioner of Lands and Surveys. Department during that time. We will You may recall that on the morning charges would be brought against Puc, He held the post for almost 10 years continue to follow this story as the of January 1, police visited the home but at the time of the writing of this and served under three UDP Ministers investigation progresses. of Jose Alfredo Puc, 28, where they article, no charges had been levied. Former Works Minister and CEO under investigation

Continued from Page 1 secured sworn statements from multiple that the item was, in fact, a donation. The Reports are that three additional pieces „ workers directly involved, confirming that gate was later retrieved by the Government of heavy equipment — graders, were Executive Officer in the Ministry of Minister Montero used heavy equipment, of Belize with the help of the Belize Police returned to the Ministry of Works. Two Works, Errol Gentle. personnel and fuel from the ministry to Department. of these were found in Ladyville and In a letter addressed to Attorney develop his private farms over some three In regard to the alleged use of the another in the Spanish lookout area. General Magali Marin Young, the CEO in and a half years at significant expense to Ministry’s heavy equipment, the former Minister Julius Espat believes that some the Ministry of Infrastructure the public. Abuse was flagrant and Works Minister’s attorney, his son, Rene Ministry equipment is still at large and Development requested that the Attorney facilitated by public officers of the Montero, Jr., has claimed that the gear in unaccounted for, and called on his General consider compiling a civil suit Ministry of Works at the highest level, as question was being used to push farm Ministry to locate and identify the gear. against Montero and Gentle. a form of ministerial entitlement. As bad roads in the Young Gial area of Yalbac, What remains to be seen is whether A report was also sent to the Director as the conduct of Mr. Montero appears, so that farmers could have access to their the investigations by the Director of Public of Public Prosecutions, the Minister Montero could not have engaged plantations. In a phone interview with Prosecutions, Commissioner of Police Commissioner of Police and the Integrity in such prolonged abuse of public 7News, Montero, Jr., refuted all the claims and Integrity Commissions will confirm Commission, and Minister Espat has resources without the assistance and made against his client and father, saying, or disprove these damning allegations. called on those bodies to carry out a full connivance of his Chief Executive Officer “To try and say that those farms belong The Briceño administration has criminal investigation into the evidence that Errol Gentle and others in the public to the minister is not only wrong, but committed, it said, to continue to has been compiled by the Ministry so far, service.” Espat claimed. defamatory. When those statements were investigate instances of wrongdoing with a view to bringing criminal charges Montero issued a statement on January made, our client came to us to write a which took place inside the former UDP against the former Government officials. 6 that specifically addressed an allegation demand for an apology.” government. Rene Montero, the former Minister of that he had misappropriated a starting Works and three-time area representative gate, which is a piece of equipment used for Cayo Central, has publicly refuted all in the conducting of horse races. In that claims made against him, calling them statement, Montero said that he never had Health Ministry speaks... vindictive and grossly negligent on the part possession of the item, nor had he ever of the Government of Belize. claimed ownership of it. He also stated Continued from Page 1 Cante, and that the “erroneous” mix-up His attorney, and son, Rene Montero, that the starting gate is the property of the „ is being classified as a procedural error: Jr., stated, “All the allegations against the Santa Elena Horse Race Committee deceased was infected with COVID-19. “At the conclusion of the meeting, the former Minister is false.” exclusively. He did admit that he The police were then instructed to leave management of the Northern Regional During his presentation, Minister Espat approached Cayo Steel Works to create the body at the morgue, pending the Hospital determined that there was a explained that his Ministry was triggered the item, but said it was for the use of the results of the COVID-19 test. procedural error in the steps for the to initiate an investigation after reviewing horse race community. He also said that Subsequently, on December 30, 2020, handling and release of the body from the media reports from Plus TV. He claims it was a member of the Horse Racing Cante’s body was taken to the morgue. morgue. Recommendations to ensure this that currently, the Ministry has a number Sporting Committee who had placed the On January 1, 2021, police officers were does not reoccur has been forwarded to of eyewitnesses and solid evidence which starting gate on the property where it was contacted and told to come to retrieve the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which prove wrongdoing on the part of the found, and from which it was later the body of “John Doe”, but they were includes an immediate revision and former Works Minister and CEO. The confiscated. mistakenly given the body of Mr. Cante, resanitization of the morgue policies to all evidence, which he says supports his The Ministry of Youth and Sports had and as a result he was buried in an staff. Clear communication channels were claims, has been passed on, as previously requested more information regarding the unmarked grave by the Police also reviewed and agreed on with the police mentioned, to the Police Commissioner, ownership of the item. The owner of the Department. personnel present,” said the release. the Integrity Commission and the DPP, company that made the starting gate was The release goes on to state that the Mr. Cante’s body has since been but was not presented to the media during contacted by government officials and Ministry of Health and Wellness had a exhumed and buried at a site that was the press conference. subsequently sent a letter in response to meeting with the Manager of the Northern previously acquired for him by his family “The ministry has interviewed and the Ministry of Youth’s query to confirm Regional Hospital as well as the son of in San Felipe village. Friday, January 8, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 31 New National Assembly First Cabinet is installed this Meeting of 2021 January 5 in Venezuela BELMOPAN, Wed. Jan. 6, 2021 formation of an inter-ministerial Prior to the first House of committee, which will be tasked with Representatives meeting to be held this reviewing the Misuse of Drug Legislation year (scheduled for Friday, January 8, and recommending amendments to 2021), the Cabinet met remotely on facilitate the proper development of the Monday to discuss several matters hemp industry and to establish a national related to sustainable development, drug hemp policy as well as monitoring legislation, general national revenue and mechanisms for the industry. a few other relevant issues. The inter-ministerial committee will One main order of business was a consist of the Minister of Agriculture, discussion of the government’s plan to Food Security and Enterprise, Hon. hold a state funeral in honor of the late Jose Abelardo Mai; the Minister of Dr. Dame Minita Gordon, Belize’s first Home Affairs and New Growth Governor General, who passed away Industries, Hon. Kareem Musa; and the on January 1, 2021 at the age of 90. Minister of Sustainable Development, While the Cabinet has already informed Climate Change and Disaster Risk the public of the state funeral, a date Management, Hon. Orlando Habet. for the ceremony has not yet been Cabinet likewise approved the announced. introduction of a General Revenue This Tuesday, January 5, the new realization of the purposes of the State,” In anticipation of the agenda at the (Supplementary Appropriations) Bill to National Assembly of the Bolivarian the Magna Carta requires. next House meeting, Cabinet has cover urgent and unforeseen Republic of Venezuela was installed in The new National Assembly approved the introduction of legislation expenditure for the period from the Federal Legislative Palace, in assumes its functions after the legal which seeks to “empower” the Central November 11, 2020, to March 31, 2021, Caracas, the New National Assembly term of 5 years of the Parliament elected Bank of Belize, allowing the institution as well as the signing of a Memorandum of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in 2015 for the period 2016-2021 has to provide emergency programs and of Understanding (MOU) between the elected last December in accordance expired. This is due to the fact that all facilities that will serve to provide National Forensic Science Services with the provisions of the National the Public Powers in Venezuela are economic support or financial leverage (NFSS) and the Central American Health Constitution to legislate in the 2021- elected according to the National during urgent and unexpected Sciences University. 2026 period. Constitution and in no case do they have economic challenges, like the current The MOU seeks to formalize a The act is carried out in compliance the power to self-extend their mandate economic crisis caused by the COVID- working relationship between the two with a constitutional mandate that once the established constitutional 19 pandemic. entities and will ensure that the post- orders that the first annual period of period has expired. The Cabinet also reviewed and mortem examinations for medico-legal ordinary sessions of the parliament The President of the Republic, approved a request submitted by Hon. death investigations can continue in a “shall begin, without prior convocation, Nicolás Maduro, has placed himself at Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable manner that is aligned with the strategic th on January 5 of each year or the most the command of the National Assembly Development, Climate Change and priorities of the NFSS. In addition, the immediate subsequent day possible.” and has asked that it resume its control Disaster Risk Management, to review all Coroner’s Act will be repealed and It is the responsibility of the deputies functions. “The time has come for a short-term logging licenses issued on replaced by “modern legislation”. that make up the National Assembly to new exercise for the parliament to force national land for the logging season These will be the key focus areas at assume the functions of the Legislative the National Government to render October 2020 to July 2021. the House meeting slated for Friday at Power, which constitutionally include: accounts and to find solutions alongside The Cabinet also approved the 10:00 a.m. legislating, exercising “control over the the deputies,” said the president. Government and the National Public The Head of State has also called for Administration”, “organizing and Parliament to establish “a dialogue of promoting citizen participation”; with action, to find consensus, solutions and Detainee Reportedly the obligation to always act “in the apply them immediately throughout the interests of the people.” Republic” and to prioritize the economy. Hangs Himself... On this occasion, when the new That the blockade, bureaucracy and Parliament was installed, Venezuela corruption be fought to recover the Continued from Page 1 Bowen’s body was removed and taken resumed the path of joint responsibility country’s sources of income, as well as „ to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. and cooperation of the Public Powers, the resources and assets stolen or disputes the claim and have retained Commissioner Williams says that two in pursuit of the well-being of the blocked abroad and that are the attorney- at-law Orson Elrington. separate investigations are underway. “I population. “Each one of the branches patrimony of the Venezuelan people. In reference to whether the required have tasked the Professional Standards of the Public Power has its own “A new political era is coming, a new procedures were followed during ‘lock- Branch as well as the Officer functions, but the bodies that are political cycle in the country and we up’ at the station, Williams explained, “we commanding Eastern Division to launch responsible for its exercise will are going to restore the rights of the have checked the diary at the station, and an investigation to see if there was any collaborate with each other in the people,” the President emphasized. it shows that the officers did make the negligence on the part of the officers hourly checks at the cell blocks.” working at the particular moment,” he “We do have our cell block policies stated. that speak to the fact that officers must Catherine Bowen, sister of the Belize congratulates the make hourly checks on the prisoners. In deceased, told one member of the media situations where the prisoner is under the that the police are well aware of Biden-Harris Administration influence or demonstrates the potential for Gregory’s mental condition because on harming him or herself, then checks must previous occasions they were called to be made every half an hour. In this case the family’s residence to restrain him and Belmopan. January 7, 2021. 7:50 a.m. Mr. Bowen was not drunk and was not take him to the hospital to get his The Government of Belize one who displayed signs of wanting to medication administered. condemns the brazen attempt to injure himself and others, and so the Orson Elrington, attorney for the interrupt the constitutional order in the checks were made hourly,” he further said. Bowen family, says “in this case the facts United States of America which Bowen’s body was found sometime before us is that it was widely known, occurred on January 6, 2021. after 2:00 a.m. It appears he had removed especially by the Belize Police The Government calls on the his pants, tied it onto a cell bar and applied Department, that Mr. Bowen was a authorities to ensure a peaceful and pressure, thus hanging mental patient, and therefore there was lawful transfer of power as himself. Commissioner Williams an elevated duty of care which they had constitutionally mandated and which informed, “sometime after two (2:00 to ensure his safety. reflects the will of the people freely a.m.), they (police) made checks on a “And regrettably, their breach of that expressed in free and fair elections. prisoner, Gregorio Bowen, who was duty of care resulted in the death of Mr. Belize welcomes the Biden-Harris detained pending charges of wounding. Bowen…. There needs to be monetary Administration and looks forward to a Upon doing so, he was found nude in compensation; that goes without continued strong and constructive the cell block, hanging from his pants. saying.” working relationship with the United So apparently he took off his pants that The family intends to sue the Belize States of America. he was wearing and hung himself on the Police Department, the Ministry of Home -PRESS RELEASE- gate of the cell block”. Affairs and the Government of Belize. Page 32 AMANDALABelize Friday, January 8, 2021