Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1

NO. 3454 BELIZE CITY, FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 (36 PAGES) $1.50 Unions picket House Meeting

“If it is that we are going to shut down this country to ensure that the good governance discussions are materialized...that is what is going to happen,” says Luke Martinez, president of the NTUCB.

BELMOPAN, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 proposed salary cuts and increment The first day of budget debates for freezes and to make a firm, loud call the fiscal year 2021-2022 began for the implementation of the UNCAC today amid a deadlock between the and other good governance reforms. Briceño administration and the public While the parliamentarians sector unions. debated the austerity budget inside Members of the Belize National the National Assembly building, the Teachers Union, the Public Service modest group of protesters positioned Union, the Nurses Association of themselves on the steps outside, Belize, and the National Trade Union practicing social distancing and Congress of Belize gathered near the mask-wearing under the watchful periphery of the National Assembly Building to protest the government- Please turn to„Page 35 Nurses Assn. joins BCCI says, the picket line resume KHMH staff might negotiations escape salary cuts by Kory Leslie (freelance writer)

Belize City, Tues. Apr. 20, 2021 Amid the ongoing demonstrations by the BNTU, the Prime Minister, BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 John Briceño, met with the Karl The Belize Chamber of Commerce Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers and Industry (BCCI) is urging the Union (KHMHWU) to discuss Government of Belize and the Joint whether they will be classified by the BELMOPAN, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 Unions to return to the negotiating table government as public servants, in The leadership of the Nurses in good faith to resolve the current light of the salary cuts that will be Association of Belize (NAB) joined issues between them. affecting most government employees members of the PSU and BNTU in The Chamber notes that if the who have that status. The president standoff between the unions and the of the KHMHWU, Lidia Alpuche Please turn to„Page 2 Please turn to„Page 35 Please turn to„Page 34 PM recommends Froyla Tzalam for GG BNTU gives notice of strike (See story on page 30) Education, Francis Fonseca; his CEO, Diane Maheia, and the Chief Education Officer, Yolanda Gongora, and was written by the national president of the BNTU, Elena Smith, on the direction of the council of management for the union. BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 notice of strike action to commence “The grounds for such industrial The Belize National Teachers on Monday, April 26, 2021. action is to express our Union (BNTU) has sent a letter to the The letter, dated April 15, 2021, Ministry of Education giving official is addressed to the Minister of Please turn to„Page 32 Commerce Bight Port dispute rages on (See story on page 4) Page 2 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 BTL terminates 24 Miriam Rodriguez charged

Rodriguez, who is reportedly employees Reyes’ sister-in-law, has since been charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving with alcohol concentration, negligent wounding, and harm and was arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate Court and released on bail. She is expected to return to court on June 24, 2021. Eyewitnesses of the accident told the San Pedro Sun that speeding could have been the cause of the golf cart flip, and remarked that it was a loud and violent accident. The boyfriend of the victim said that he had been waiting at home for her to arrive when he heard the wailing of his sister, who informed him of the SAN PEDRO, Ambergris Caye, Tues. accident. He ran to the site, where he Apr. 20, 2021 found Reyes on the ground, bleeding In the mid-week issue, we reported profusely from a head injury. on a fatal road traffic accident that took She was taken to the Otto Rodriguez by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) offset the company’s losses, which led to the terminations of the twenty-four the life of an 18-year-old, Bianca San Pedro Polyclinic, where she was Reyes. Reports at the time were that pronounced dead at 12:30 a.m. on BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 19, 2021 BTL employees. Reyes was in a golf cart being driven Saturday, April 17. The death of this Following a redundancy exercise, the The press release from the company by Miriam Rodriguez, 27, that young, vibrant woman has left her Belize Telemedia Limited this week includes a message from the company’s ultimately overturned. Reyes was family and friends shocked and terminated the employment of twenty- CEO, Ivan Tesucum, which states, “The reportedly flung out of the overturned heartbroken. Reyes was originally from four of its employees — a decision that BTL Leadership Team has worked cart and suffered severe injuries that the village of Independence, where she it has described as “difficult but diligently and tirelessly each month to caused her death. is expected to be laid to rest. necessary”. On Monday, BTL issued a navigate these turbulent and statement claiming that COVID-19 has unpredictable times. This reduction in caused a structural over-capacity which workforce is a difficult but necessary began in March of 2020, which has led step, and one that we take with great Norwegian Cruise Line to to the redundancy exercise and the sadness. We are deeply grateful for the subsequent terminations. unwavering support over the years from The release goes on to state that the our dedicated employees. We are keen resume calls to Belize company’s revenues have fallen by on treating everyone with the greatest BZ$33 million over the last fiscal year, respect and consideration throughout which made the reduction of staff this process. Further, we are focused necessary to limit the effects of that on ensuring the viability of our company revenue contraction. The staff was as we steer our organization to recovery engaged on the matter and were in the coming months and years. This presented with a number of “cost- necessary restructuring will in no way optimization measures” that would be impact the level of service we provide implemented in phases, depending on to our valued customers. I am confident the severity of the economic hit due to that our capable and resilient team the pandemic, the BTL release further combined with the right approach will explained. find the opportunities in these As a result, the company engaged challenging times to guide BTL through in a hiring freeze, and it reduced the worst economic period of our planned capital spending, operational country.” expenses, management salaries and According to BTL, they had allowances, and staff allowances. It consultations with the Belize also decided that management bonuses Communications Workers Union and would be foregone and that it would the Labor Commissioners to ensure BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 expected to do a conditional lifting defer staff- bonuses and reduce the they remained aligned with Belize’s After more than a year, of the no-sail order. NCL and other stipends given to members of the Labor Laws while enacting this Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is cruise lines are adding homeports Board of Directors as of March 2021, decision. Employees who were let go expected to resume calls to Belize, within Caribbean destinations to which saved the company about reportedly received additional benefits starting this summer, according to the reinitiate cruises. BZ$24 million. According to the in addition to compensatory packages Caribbean Journal. At the start of the month, the CEO company, however, these stringent to assist them during their time of On August 7, the Norwegian Joy of the Ministry of Tourism. Nicole measures were still not enough to unemployment. ship will leave from Montego Bay, Solano remarked, “[November Jamaica, and make a stop at the 2021] is the current date that we company’s Harvest Caye private have from CDC; however, the cruise Nurses Assn. joins the picket line island location in Belize. lines are now looking at operating While the Center for Disease out of home ports in the Caribbean. Control (CDC) still has a no-sail So that will give us some Continued from Page 1 president of the Nurses Association „ of Belize, Darrell Spencer, remarked. order for cruises in the United States opportunity for a potential restart protest at the National Assembly He sported a bukut painted red and in effect, in November the center is before then.” today. While the parliamentarians blue, symbolizing the effects of the were carrying on the budget debate, near 40 years during which the Government needs to get the relevant salary cut is useless with a wasteful the nurses were outside demanding a country has been subject to the good governance laws in place to government,” Spencer said. total change in our governance. decisions of “PUDP” governments. curb the wasteful practices of the The vice president of the NAB, “We the people need to demand a “Well bukut here, represent what Government, and he stated that no Alberta Flowers, added, “Salary cut change in our government, nuh fi Belizeans taking for the past 40 years, salary cuts would bring any relief if is not the answer. Imagine, what us change the government; we tired a two decades nearly ah UDP, two these reforms are not implemented. as nurses go through every day. We change government — yo change decades nearly ah PUP, and all weh “No cut for nobody! We are all sacrifice a lot for our country and our monkey or get black dog. We want we get da bukut. We need fi stop tek important here and, like I just said, patients. So for them to say that we the government to change; we don’t bukut,” he said. who get cut and how they get cut is don’t have talent...[the] audacity in want to change the government,” the He went on to say that the hardly important. Any degree of them.” Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 3 Herwin Godoy’s BNTU members protest in cities body found

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Apr. 20, 2021 The family of 33-year-old Herwin Godoy is making funeral arrangements after his body was recovered from the river in Grace Bank, where he drowned on Sunday, April 18. The family said that finding Godoy’s body has given them the closure that they needed. They said that his body BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 National Assembly Building in placards expressing their rejection of was found on Tuesday morning, in a Members of the Belize National Belmopan, where the 2021-2022 the salary cuts and calling for an end to net that was set about 100 yards from Teachers Union (BNTU) continued budget debate will be taking place. corruption as well. the spot in the river where he sank their week of industrial actions with a Earlier this morning, teachers who These teachers will not be a part of below the surface. demonstration that was staged in would be protesting at the National the protest that is scheduled to take The family has been searching for Belize City and Belmopan this Assembly positioned themselves at the place in Belmopan today, but are him since Sunday, when he sank under morning. entrance to Belmopan to convey their expected to join forces with their the water’s surface, while attempting Union members are scheduled to sentiments to arriving parliamentarians, colleagues at the National Assembly to cross the river, and never re- stage a protest today and tomorrow, a group of teachers lined the entrance Building on the second day of the emerged from the water. April 23, near the front stairs of the of the George Price Highway with budget debate on Friday. Unions putting up a resistance

At the end of this notice period, window, and so it is not left for our week. So we will see how things pan public servants who are essential members, to if you will, utilize that out between now and the weekend,” workers will be able to join the to our advantage and go full force next Flowers said. protest action of the unions. Flowers said that besides the various workers’ unions that have come out in support of the PSU, they are also in conversation with the Belize Defence Force at this time. “In my humble view, I think that across the public service, I think the message is clear. This is not the way to go; good governance is the way to go.” Flowers shared. He added, “If it is that after the good governance is implemented, all the revenue enhancement measures are effected, cost savings measures are effected, if it is then, that we need BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 to have a conversation surrounding The members of the Joint Unions salary cuts, then we can have that, are continuing to engage in acts of but no recovery can happen without resistance against the Briceño a good governance platform. And so Nurses join protest in OW administration’s planned salary cuts our position remains that any and are also calling for the recovery plan must be hinged on good ORANGE WALK TOWN, Tues. Apr. support of the Joint Unions, and said implementation of good governance governance.” 20, 2021 that the entire country should also be legislation and reform. The 2021-2022 budget debates are The Nurses Association of Belize engaged. This past week the unions staged scheduled for Thursday and Friday (NAB) joined the Public Service Spencer said that in the hospital, the protests across the country. The of this week, and Flowers remarked Union (PSU) in protest activities up nurses and support healthcare staff are Belize National Teachers Union that next week the unions will have north this week. The unions took to currently in a phase of work-to-rule, (BNTU) and Public Service Union to “ramp it up”. He noted that the streets in Orange Walk Town, which means that they are doing the (PSU) started with a blockade of the according to legal advice they protesting the scheduled salary cuts minimum amount of work that they are highways in various municipalities. received, the Ministry of Labour, and calling for good governance obligated by the terms of their On Tuesday, some members of the headed by Minister Oscar Requeña, reform. employment to do. The working staff PSU marched down the central streets threw the 21-day notice out the The president of the NAB, Darrell scheduled to be on duty are still of downtown Belize City. The vice window, by neglecting their duty to Spencer, pointed out that the NAB and currently carrying out their duties. president of the PSU, Dean Flowers, convene a dispute tribunal. nurses have a long history of resistance He shared that, like the other sister has stated that these protests this week “In essence, the Ministry of in Belize, and noted that he personally unions, the nurses are rejecting salary are a preface to the national strike, Labour, in our opinion as well as protested with the unions in the 1990’s. cuts, and are calling on GOB to sign which is scheduled to start at the end provided by legal opinion, has pretty He is calling members of his union anti-corruption laws, and collect taxes of the 21-day notice period. much thrown the 21-days out the to participate in a demonstration in owed by major corporations. Page 4 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 UDP condemns greenlight for Port of Magical Belize

would be needed to construct the anthropogenic impacts on nearby artificial peninsula is of great human settlements is a cause of concern, said the UDP. This may lead serious concern.” to beach and coastal erosion later on, 6. “Overall, the economic either nearby or further away, stated feasibility of having a port just a few the UDP release. miles from Stake Bank, and the 4. The creation of an artificial cumulative environmental impacts on peninsula is unnecessary, the release the immediate vicinity of these ports, said. The UDP, in the release, asked and on our fragile reef systems, have the following questions: Who would not been assessed,” the release said. own the land? What permissions have 7. “It is also important to been received? underscore the significance of not 5. The UDP also articulated this granting environmental clearance to environmental concern: “The this, or any other port project, without dissection of important mangrove having a clearly defined multi-port habitat by the access road was of strategy. The cumulative great concern. More importantly, the environmental impact combined with disruption of surface flow by the the overall economic feasibility of presence of the filled road could lead any multi-port situation must be given to vegetative die back or alteration careful consideration,” said the of flood retention regime in the area. release. by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) did not occur legally and that a It must be emphasized that this coastal The UDP release concludes by project of this magnitude should not landscape has a vibrant and unique stating that the granting of BELIZE CITY, Tues. Apr. 20, 2021 be approved under duress or without hydro-ecological dynamic that environmental clearance to Portico The UDP is speaking out against proper public consultation. The remains poorly studied/understood. is a flawed decision made by the the PUP administration for allowing release goes on to outline the During the dry season, the entire area Ministry of Sustainable the development of the ongoing cruise following concerns the UDP has about is almost completely devoid of water Development. They have deemed the project, Port of Magical Belize, the project: but the patterns and dynamics of project an “environmental disaster” which is being facilitated by David 1. The EIA had not sufficiently surface and subsurface water flow in and have called on the PUP to “resist Gegg, the founding director of Portico considered the threat posed by the the rainy season is often playing party politics with our natural Enterprises Limited. The project construction of the peninsula on the characterized by massive volumes of resources and move quickly to involves the construction of a cruise feeding and migratory grounds of water moving across the entire rescind the ECP that was announced terminal near the Sibun River in the manatees. landscape. The environmental as signed on April 9, 2021, before Belize District. Gegg previously 2. The EIA had concerns and the potential any more damage is done.” outlined to the media a series of not demonstrated events that led to the decision by the how the project government’s environmental agencies design took into to grant permission to Portico to account proceed with construction of the mitigation terminal. measures to The UDP, however, has said that address such Gegg’s description of the processes impacts. that were undertaken in order for the According to the project to be approved, is inaccurate. UDP, it remains In a press release dated April 20, unclear what the 2021 the UDP refutes Gegg’s account project could do of the interaction Portico had with the differently to National Environmental Appraisal lessen the impact Committee (NEAC). They also claim on manatees. that the NEAC did not legally commit 3. The impact to giving the company environmental on the retention clearance. zone around the The press release also asserts that mouth of the the purported meeting held between Sibun from the Gegg and the NEAC in August 2020 dredging that Commerce Bight Port dispute rages on (From page 1)

There has been an ongoing feud receive returns on his shares and had in their endeavors. Following brewing between Recological also found that the remainder of the Froese’s press conference, RSL Systems Limited (RSL), a company shares had been sold to persons rebutted with a press release of their that provides maritime emergency whom he had never met, despite his own, refuting the claims made during response services and emergency constant efforts to reach out to Gobie Froese’s alleged “smear campaign.” training, and a Belizean businessman to find out who the principal owners The release first notes that RSL has a and investor, Abram Froese. The of RSL were. The Froese brothers valid license to develop and manage conflict started over a twenty-five- have recruited Indira Mejia as their the port and intends to continue their year lease issued by the previous spokesperson, and Mejia claims that work to carry out the improvements UDP administration to RSL, through when she reached out to Gobie, he that will transform it into a world- which they intend to rehabilitate the stated that he was only the front man class facility. Commerce Bight Port. Froese, who of RSL, which is really owned by The release additionally states that says he purchased 50% of RSL’s former Minister Frank “Papa” Mena Indira Mejia was primarily hired by shares along with his brother and his CEO, Dr. Peter Allen. RSL as a legal representative but that Heinrich Froese at a value of BZ$2 After Gobie made those alleged she no longer works with the million while it was being run by statements, Froese held a press company. Further, the release asserts Alan Gobie, is calling for the conference on April 19, 2021 at that Froese’s shares were sold to him by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) government to revoke RSL’s license which he presented his case to the illegally and in violation of the for a number of alleged wrongdoings. government and to the Belizean BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 19, 2021 Froese claims that he has yet to public, urging them not to support RSL Please turn to„Page 35 Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 5

No “todos ganamos” without good governance

Belize has never delivered for the masses of her citizens, isn’t that employees of the government don’t know the and we were in deep recession when the pandemic delivered enormity of the country’s economic shortfall; it’s that they a severe blow in March last year. In the private sector, were feeling the pinch before the pandemic, and things are thousands of our people suffered massive pay cuts, and worse now. thousands more lost their jobs and ended up on the pantry Many of our public employees are extremely talented and lines alongside the thousands who are perennially left out of dedicated, but they are stymied by a system that awards the economy. In the public sector, however, the previous promotions based on loyalty to the party in power, not merit. government (UDP) decided to borrow to “make payroll”, so The system is ruled by fear, fear of the ruling party and their the employees of the government have continued taking home CEOs, and no less than the president of the APSSM, Ms. Sharon the same salary they were making prior to the pandemic. Fraser, admitted on the Krem WuB morning show that many There were loud calls for the government’s employees to of her colleagues are cowed by their bosses. Ms. Fraser didn’t share in the financial pain, the loudest coming from the business mention that some high-level officers in the public service organizations, the BCCI and the BBB, but the previous actually facilitated corrupt acts by dishonest leaders, that some government didn’t budge — one, for political reasons, since got on the train to make their deposits at the bank. there was a general election just up ahead; and two, because Public employees recoil when they look at how much our cutting the salaries of government employees would cause leaders have wronged this country. The PUP condemned the the economy to contract even further. second Manuel Esquivel UDP government for its lack of A new government (PUP) took over in November last year, competence, and in 1998 the PUP won an overwhelming and in preparing the budget for fiscal year 2021/2022 it mandate on a promise to grow our economy. Some of the announced that the nation’s finances are in such a bad state, methods the PUP used to deliver on its promise were that government expenditure would have to be cut in a number questionable, but what really riled up the people were the of areas, including the salaries of its employees. The deals that were made to enrich a few individuals at the top of government’s employees responded that they would resist the party. the salary cuts, with the justification that cutting their salaries The UDP condemned the Said Musa PUP governments of will worsen the economy; that the government can find the 1998 to 2008 for their corruption, and the UDP won an money to meet their salaries if it cuts out corruption and overwhelming mandate from the people on its promise to nepotism, and improves tax collection; and that they can’t chop out corruption, improve governance. The UDP afford it. governments of Dean Barrow weren’t always prudent or Many Belizeans question the visionary between 2008 and 2020, but what really riled up the reluctance of government people was that some of their leaders were the most corrupt employees to give up a portion Belize has ever seen. of their salaries at a time when A lot of Belizeans have become very greedy. They are Amandala(estb. 1969) Belize absolutely is on the brink following in the footsteps of the country’s leaders. Some Business and editorial offices: of complete financial failure. Belizeans are smiling in our faces while right in front of us they 3304 Partridge Street, Belize The fact is that the majority are taking us to the cleaners. In the midst of negotiations City, Belize, Central America of the government’s employees between the Unions and GoB we learned of a company that is printed twice weekly by the are barely surviving on the got prime cay land for around $27,000 a couple days before Amandala Press. salaries they are making right a general election, from a government the people swept out Telephones: 501-280-4703/ now. Inflation is higher than of office because it was corrupt. The land was taken away by 501-202-4477 declared by the SIB, because the new government, the company went to court, and a little the majority of imported goods over ten years later that company won $5.6 million, which Publisher: Evan X Hyde are ignored when they make went from the national treasury to their pockets. Editor-in-chief: Marco Lopez their assessment of the cost A lot of Belizeans have become very cynical. They have seen Business Manager: Jacinta Hyde of living. The prices of imported so, so many deals made by our leaders that are bad for Belize. Make-up & Design goods increase with almost Our leaders sold majority shares in our flagship company, Artist: Andrea Dennison every shipment, and thus the BTL, and it cost us millions; they lost our national port, Port of real situation is that inflation Executive Secretary: Odessa Belize, and that cost us millions; they overspent to get back has outpaced the growth in the BTL, and handled it as though it was a family or party asset, Robinson Smith salaries of government and cost us millions; they bloated contracts and abused the Compositor: Tyra Welch employees over the past two system to acquire our assets, and cost us millions. Lithography: Clive Smith decades. Now our country is flat broke, and to save our financial Printers: Kent Brooks As the saying goes, who feels stability our government insists it has to cut the salaries of its it knows it. Thousands of employees. The government has promised that as soon as Please email Correspondence: public employees on the lower the economy turns around it will revisit the salaries and [email protected] pay scales are living pay check increments of its employees, but if the pandemic lingers, that to pay check (although the will be delayed, and if the government doesn’t put in the Advertisements to: government has said it will measures to halt corruption, and establish good governance, [email protected] exclude those making the the remuneration for its employees might never be restored, lowest salaries —less than and our marginalized citizens will remain deprived. Mailing Address: $250 weekly — from the pay In the end, government of the people, by the people, for the Amandala Press cut), hence the strong people has the mandate to do what it feels necessary to save 3304 Partridge Street resistance they are putting up us from complete financial failure. Whatever the government c/o P.O. Box 15, to the government’s decision does, the unions and the media, all Belizeans, must keep the Belize City, Belize to proceed with a cut in their pressure on so it moves with energy to deliver on its good salaries and freezing of their governance promises. There can be no “todos ganamos” in a Amandala’s website: increments for three years. It corrupt, poorly governed country. amandala.com.bz Page 6 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 Belize’s NCCO to seek climate financing at COP26

(NCCO) is now focusing on emissions and how it will adapt to He mentioned that the NCCO is reducing the impacts in those two the impact of climate change. currently in collaboration with the locations. Dr. Gladden shared that Belize is Coastal Zone Management Authority But this, of course, will take a member of the Alliance of Small and other stakeholders to finalize and funding. The NCCO is currently Island States, but has national put forward a proposal to the preparing to seek climate financing positions that it must also forward at Adaptation Fund in order to get to combat some of the effects of this year’s COP26. financing for coastal protection. He climate change on the country. “Nationally, we still have what I said that the funds will be used to The NCCO’s point-person, Chief consider our positions. In this case, slow down the effects of climate Climate Change Officer, Dr. Lennox especially if we’re looking at the change in the Dangriga and Hopkins Gladden, explained that they are Conference of the Parties, this one communities. going into the 26th United Nations coming up in November in particular, “It should be a significant Climate Change Conference of right, our key focus national is, of investment to slow down some of the BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 Parties (COP26) with a focus on course, climate finance. But, if we’re effects of the coastal erosion that you The coastal communities of climate financing and technology. looking at climate finance, we also saw in the images that I shared earlier. southern Belize have been seeing He shared that the country’s climate have to factor in a certain level of Another initiative that is currently firsthand the dire effects of climate change response is governed by two accountability and transparency. So, ongoing is, we’re working along with change. Erosion in the coastal guiding documents, our National as an authority, we’re taking the the Belize Association of Planners to communities of Hopkins and Policy and the National Determined necessary steps in the development look at some of the social Dangriga has been ongoing Contributions, or NDC’s. The NDC’s of a national maritime reporting and implications within these areas. So, constantly for some time now, and refer to a country’s contribution as it verification system, because this is a yes, we are taking some of the the National Climate Change Office relates to the reduction of national requirement when we’re looking at necessary steps to mitigate some of overall accountability.” Dr. Gladden the impacts that are happening,” he said. said. Ministry of Finance Ministry of Health TENDER NOTICE

General Security and Surveillance of the Sir Edney Cain and Wellness Building - Belmopan launches vaccine app Procurement Type: Procurement of Services – SECURITY Procurement Method: Open Tendering Procedure (National Competitive accessing the vaccine easier for the Bidding) public. The Ministry of Finance hereby invites Tenders from security companies for the general At this time, as of April 21, 2021 security and surveillance of the Sir Edney Cain Building in Belmopan. The tender a total of 37,097 persons have been shall be for a period of two (2) years commencing June 1, 2021 and ending May 31, vaccinated so far in Belize. Three 2023. phases of the inoculation program are The successful tender will be responsible for the security of the building and premises currently ongoing, but the Ministry by unarmed guards from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am daily from Mondays to Thursday AND decided to utilize technology to on weekends starting from 5:30pm on Fridays to 6:30am on Mondays, AND on public and bank holidays. Security guards must hold a valid and clean Police Record facilitate a smoother process for qualified citizens. The successful tender will be expected to provide the following security and During an interview with 7News, surveillance services: Dr. Natalia Beer, Technical Advisor in the MOHW, said that persons will (a) General security and surveillance of the Sir Edney Cain Building (the now be able to register for “Premises”) including all building and fixtures erected therein; vaccination using the app, and through (b) Allow only authorized persons to enter the buildings or compound. The the app they will receive an approval Security must maintain a log of all persons entering and leaving the premises; text message, and a date on which (c) Conduct patrols outside the building to ensure that doors remain locked and BELMOPAN, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 that there is no sign of breakage into the building; they are to come in for their vaccines. The Ministry of Health and This process, she said, will make the (d) The Security Company, its agent or servants shall not divulge to any person Wellness (MOHW) continues to call or persons, any proprietary information coming to their knowledge in the inoculation of the population an course of their duties; all those persons who are eligible to easier process for both healthcare (e) Any other security related task as may be agreed upon from time to time by receive the Covid-19 vaccine to get workers and citizens. the Parties involved; their shot. To further encourage those It takes only about 3 minutes to sign persons to be vaccinated, the MOHW up using the app, and persons who Costs incurred in visiting the premises and preparations of the tender bid are the sole has launched a Covid-19 vaccination responsibility of the tenderer. Bids are to be accompanied by: have already received their first app that will make the process of Covid-19 shot need not sign up. (a) Company profile (b) Current Letter of Good Standing from the Belize Tax Service (c) Current Letter of Good Standing from the Belize Companies Registry (d) Current Letter of Good Standing from the Belize Social Security Board Sunday Review (e) Current Trade License (f) Evidence of evidence of past jobs News Review Talk Show On Krem TV & Krem Radio Additional information can be obtained from Ms. Terry Smith by email at [email protected]. Tenders are to be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly Live-streaming on Krem Television Face Book Page marked “TENDER FOR THE GENERAL SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE OF THE SIR EDNEY CAIN BUILDING (BELMOPAN)”, addressed to: Host: YaYa Marin Coleman Co-Host: Dwight Neal Date: Sunday, April 25, 2021 Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon Financial Secretary Sir Edney Cain Building (3rd Floor) Guest: Professor Bayyinah Bello/Haitian Herstorian, teacher and writer Ministry of Finance Belmopan Sunday Review will be repeated at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021

Bids must be received no later than April 30, 2021 at 4 p.m. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. Late bids will be disqualified and returned to the sender unopened. AMANDALA is cream! Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 7

INVITATION TO QUOTE – GOODS

Institution: Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing Country: Belize Project: George Price Highway Rehabilitation Project Sector: Transport Abstract: Supply of Portable Truck Axle Scales with Accessories Loan No.: Loan 3344/OC-BL Deadline: 4:00 pm (Belize Local Time) April 30th, 2021

1. The Government of Belize has received loan financing from the Inter- American Development Bank toward the cost of the George Price Highway Rehabilitation Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to payments for the supply of portable truck axle scales with accessories.

2. The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing now invites sealed quotations from eligible and qualified bidders for the supply of the portable truck axle scales with accessories.

3. Bidding will be conducted through the Shopping procedures specified in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies for the Procurement of Works and Goods financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Policies.

4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain the full Invitation to Quote for the required equipment from the Program Management Unit, Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, located on the First Floor of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Soils Lab Building, Power Lane, Belmopan by emailing [email protected] AND [email protected].

5. Quotations must utilize forms provided in the invitation to quote. One (1) Original and two (2) copies are to be submitted in sealed labelled envelopes to the address indicated below. Quotations by email WILL NOT be accepted.

6. Suppliers are informed that they can only quote for the type of equipment specified, and quote for all items in this Invitation. Price quotations will be evaluated for all the items. Price quotations should be Exclusive of General Sales Tax.

7. Your quotation(s) should be submitted as per the following instructions and in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of supply in the attached Quote Submission Sheet.

(i) VALIDITY OF THE OFFER: Your quotation(s) should be valid for a period of 90 days from the date of receipt for quotation(s).

(ii) SUBMISSION OF OFFERS: Offers will be submitted on the Quote Submission Sheet including a description of specifications offered, Price Schedule for Goods and Related Services. These templates are annexed in the full Invitation to Quote. All documents must be completed without any alterations in format, and no substitutes shall be accepted. All blank spaces shall be filled in with the information requested.

8. The Purchaser shall award the Contract to the offer which complies substantially with the technical specifications and other requirements in these documents and represents the lowest price.

9. Quotations must be delivered to the address below at or before 4:00 pm (local Belize time) on Friday April 30th, 2021. Electronic bidding will not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Your quotation should be in the English language in the required format or other similar, acceptable format should be addressed and submitted to:

Attention of (Name): Mr. Rolando Chan, Program Coordinator Address: Program Management Unit, First Floor – Soils Lab Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing Power Lane, Belmopan Cayo District, Belize Phone #: 822-1942/822-0100 Email: [email protected] AND [email protected] Page 8 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021

No hay “todos ganamos” sin buena gobernanza

Belize nunca ha cumplido con las masas de sus actos corruptos por parte de líderes deshonestos, que ciudadanos, y estábamos en una profunda recesión algunos subieron al tren para hacer sus depósitos en el cuando la pandemia asestó un duro golpe en marzo del banco. año pasado. En el sector privado, miles de nuestras Los empleados públicos retrocenden cuando ven personas sufrieron masivos recortes salariales y miles cuánto han hecho mal nuestros líderes a este país. El más perdieron sus trabajos y terminaron en las filas de PUP condenó al segundo gobierno UDP de Manuel la despensa junto con los miles que permanentemente Esquivel por su falta de competencia, y en 1998 el PUP se quedan fuera de la economía. En el sector público, ganó un mandato abrumador con la promesa de hacer sin embargo, el gobierno anterior (UDP) decidió pedir crecer nuestra economía. Algunos de los métodos que prestado para poder “pagar la nómina”, por lo que los utilizó el PUP para cumplir su promesa eran empleados del gobierno han seguido llevándose a casa cuestionables, pero lo que realmente enfureció a la el mismo salario que ganaban antes de la pandemia. gente fueron los tratos que se hicieron para enriquecer Hubo fuertes llamados para que los empleados del a algunas personas en la cima del partido. gobierno compartieran el dolor financiero, el más fuerte El UDP condenó a los gobiernos PUP de Said Musa de proveniente de las organizaciones empresariales, la BCCI 1998 a 2008 por su corrupción, y el UDP ganó un y el BBB pero el gobierno anterior no cedió: uno, por mandato abrumador del pueblo con su promesa de razones políticas, ya que se avecinaban elecciones acabar con la corrupción y mejorar la gobernanza. Los generales un poco más adelante; y dos, porque recortar gobiernos del UDP de Dean Barrow no siempre fueron los sueldos de los empleados públicos provocaría una prudentes o visionarios entre 2008 y 2020, pero lo que contracción aún mayor de la economía. realmente enfureció a la gente fue que algunos de sus Un nuevo gobierno (PUP) asumió el cargo en noviembre líderes eran los más corruptos que Belize jamás haya del año pasado y, al preparar el presupuesto para el año visto. fiscal 2021/2022, anunció que las finanzas de la nación Muchos beliceños se han vuelto muy codiciosos. están en tan mal estado que se tendría que recortar el Están siguiendo los pasos de los líderes del país. gasto público en varias áreas, incluidos los salarios de Algunos beliceños nos sonríen a la cara mientras que sus empleados. Los empleados del gobierno frente a nosotros nos llevan a la tintorería. En medio respondieron que resistirían los recortes salariales, con de las negociaciones entre los sindicatos y el Gobierno la justificación de que recortarles sus salarios empeorará de Belize, nos enteramos de una empresa que obtuvo la economía; que el gobierno puede encontrar el dinero tierras de primera por alrededor de $ 27.000 un par de para cubrir sus salarios si elimina la corrupción y el días antes de unas elecciones generales, de un gobierno nepotismo y mejora la recaudación de impuestos; y al que el pueblo expulsó del cargo porque era corrupto. que no pueden costearlo. El nuevo gobierno le quitó la tierra, la empresa acudió El hecho es que la mayoría de los empleados del a los tribunales, y poco más de diez años después esa gobierno apenas sobreviven con los salarios que ganan empresa ganó $ 5,6 millones, que pasaron del tesoro en este momento. La inflación es más alta de lo nacional a sus bolsillos. declarado por el Instituto de Estadísticas de Belize, Muchos beliceños se han vuelto muy cínicos. Han porque la mayoría de los bienes importados son visto tantos acuerdos hechos por nuestros líderes que ignorados cuando hacen su evaluación del costo de vida. son malos para Belize. Nuestros líderes vendieron Los precios de los bienes importados aumentan con acciones mayoritarias en nuestra empresa insignia, BTL, casi todos los envíos y, por lo tanto, la situación real es y nos costó millones; perdieron nuestro puerto que la inflación ha superado el crecimiento de los salarios nacional, el Port of Belize, y eso nos costó millones; de los empleados públicos durante las últimas dos gastaron demasiado para recuperar BTL, y lo manejaron décadas. como si fuera un activo de familia o del partido, y nos Como dice el refrán, quien lo siente lo sabe. Miles de costó millones; inflaron contratos y abusaron del empleados públicos en las escalas salariales más bajas sistema para adquirir nuestros activos, y nos costaron están viviendo al día con sus salarios (aunque el gobierno millones. ha dicho que excluirá del recorte salarial a los que reciben Ahora nuestro país está en quiebra, y para salvar los salarios más bajos —menos de 250 dólares por nuestra estabilidad financiera, nuestro gobierno insiste semana—), de ahí la fuerte resistencia que están en que tiene que recortar los salarios de sus empleados. poniendo a la decisión del gobierno de proceder con El gobierno ha prometido que tan pronto como la la reducción de sus salarios y el congelamiento de sus economía cambie, revisará los salarios y los incrementos incrementos por tres años. No es que los empleados de sus empleados, pero si la pandemia persiste, eso se del gobierno no conozcan la enormidad del déficit retrasará y si el gobierno no toma las medidas para económico del país; es que estaban sintiendo el pellizco detener la corrupción, y establecer un buen gobierno, antes de la pandemia, y las cosas están peor ahora. es posible que nunca se restablezca la remuneración Muchos de nuestros empleados públicos son de sus empleados y nuestros ciudadanos marginados extremadamente talentosos y dedicados, pero están seguirán privados. obstaculizados por un sistema que otorga promociones Al final, el gobierno del pueblo, por el pueblo, para el basadas en la lealtad al partido en el poder, no en el pueblo tiene el mandato de hacer lo que crea necesario mérito. El sistema se rige por el miedo, el miedo al para salvarnos del fracaso financiero total. partido gobernante y a sus directores ejecutivos, y nada Independientemente de lo que haga el gobierno, los menos que la presidenta de la APSSM, la Sra. Sharon sindicatos y los medios de comunicación, todos Frazer, admitió en el programa matutino Krem WuB que beliceños, deben mantener la presión para que el muchos de sus colegas son intimidados por sus jefes. gobierno se mueva con energía para cumplir sus La Sra. Frazer no mencionó que algunos oficiales de promesas de buen gobierno. No puede haber “todos alto nivel en el servicio público en realidad facilitaron ganamos” en un país corrupto y mal gobernado. Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 9 The Government’s Ship Is Sinking, Rapidly!

activated, and it’s anybody’s guess impeded the ship that they were to really taking off. as to who triggered it, but the ship man. But, truth be told, they applied Now, the SS GOB has taken on is in distress. It is uncertain whether for this post and wanted this job, water and is listing badly. The the ship struck an iceberg, or whether knowing fully well the state that ship passengers have started to complain it is as a result of equipment failure was in and the conditions of the and are crying foul. This is not what onboard, but the ship is wading in weather in which they were bound they had signed up for. This is not uncharted waters. Could it be that to sail. what was promised. Many have the captain and crew of the ship Yet, still, they told the crew and retrieved the brochure that was cannot handle the gears and navigate convinced the people that they were given with the benefits and the this ship? Or is it that they are taking the right fellows for the job. They packages and realized that they nautical advice from people who touted all their plans to repair the haven’t really received or begun to have never been deemed seaworthy? ship and spoke of the ways by which enjoy those benefits and packages as Regardless of how you put it, the they would provide a smooth, secure yet. And when asked about it, they Government’s ship is sinking, and and safe ride for all. In addition, are told by members of the crew, that it’s sinking rapidly! they even talked about many they need just a little more time to Assuming office in turbulent times different benefits that passengers start rolling out the benefits and that is certainly no easy task. This new would receive if they bought on to the passengers should try to bear government assumed control of this their ticket and sailed along with with them. ship amid turbulent weather and was them. So many people took a shot at Well, as the passengers continue A little over five months into its left stranded in uncharted waters. them, many (even) jumping ship to to bear with them, some are getting maiden voyage, the SS GOB has run They were caught in the whirlwind join this voyage. But little did they impatient. Some crew members are into some serious problems. At this of a health catastrophe and inherited know, that so very early on, the ship trying to deliver on the benefits, time, a faint distress signal has been an economic drought that severely would run into problems before even while others, like the ship, are off to a slow and troubling start. It is said that even some crew members are beginning to grow weary and becoming disgruntled over the slow progression of the ship and how its affairs are being managed. As this is unfolding, the ship is badly in need of repairs, and the technicians are making little to no strides. Amid the battering of the angry waves that refuse to let up, the ship is in a grave position amid treacherous waters. The SS GOB is listing, and it’s listing badly. The SS Opposition has received a rather faint and disdainful distress signal from the SS GOB ship and is keen on this distress call. However, their ship is much too small and severely weakened and cannot front the weight of the government’s ship. The SS Opposition is in dire need of repairs itself and its gauges and compasses require urgent recalibration. It is then left to see whether the government’s ship will be able to bail the excess water it has taken on early in its maiden voyage and salvage this five, and set sail for Island Two-Term; or it will toss up white flags for the Opposition’s ship to rescue them and take over. There are some strange happenings taking place outside the horizon. It is anybody’s guess as to whether it is the captain who is sailing the ship, or if it is the ship that is sailing the captain! But, as it is often said, Time and tide wait on no man! Keep your eyes open.

Unchained Reflections Of A Liberal Pragmatist

Moments of Inspiration Sundays - 6:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Page 10 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 Women’s groups exhibit handiwork

women’s groups with the help of the Belize Defence Force. Today, the women’s groups in Corozal hosted an exhibit in the villages of San Victor and Patchakan to display their crafts to the ministry and their donors. This project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs, has been aimed at creating viable economic activities that could enable women across the country to secure a source of income. Currently 6 working women’s groups in Corozal, 4 in Orange Walk, 8 in Cayo, 9 in Belize, 5 in Stann Creek and 7 in Toledo are participating in the initiative. The department intends to boost the presence of these women’s groups in the local market by by Dayne Guy On February 8, 2021, the Ministry the Embassy of Taiwan, through providing training that will impart of Human Development, Families and Ambassador H.E. David K.C. Chien. skills to them in quality control, as San Victor and Patchakan Village, Indigenous People’s Affairs received Since then, the ministry has distributed well as by helping them to form Corozal, Mon. Apr. 20, 2021 a donation of 523 bales of fabric from the fabric to a local network of partnerships with the community and hosting open day and social marketing activities. In her opening remarks, Anna Williams, Director of the Women’s Department, said, “We strongly believe that empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries.We believe that when women are living a safe, fulfilled and productive life, they can reach their full potential. We also believe that empowering women and girls is the key to economic growth, political stability and social transformation.” Minister Dolores Balderamos Garcia boasted of the long-reaching network her department has developed. “We will try to form more women’s groups, sewing groups, so that we can really take advantage of the talent that is out there but also give the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that will empower our communities,” she said. Taiwanese Ambassador, H.E. David K.C. Chien, who was also in attendance, said that he felt thankful and honored to have had the privilege to play a role in allowing the women in the community to express themselves through innovative arts. Their dedication and artistry reassured him that Taiwan’s donation was not in vain, Chien said. “It is great to see that that donation has made a positive impact on women’s empowerment. We sincerely hope that donation could help to foster and enhance the economic development in Belize, especially facilitating the recovery of the Belizean people,” he further remarked. Chien stated that his foremost mission is to strengthen Taiwan’s relations with Belize. He pledged that Taiwan will use all its efforts and resources to collaborate with the Belizean government. One of the participants in the initiative, Amarily Teck, stated, “This assistance from Taiwan has been very appreciated.” Teck along with other women from the group expressed how supportive the community was of their efforts and thanked Taiwan for their generous donation. Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 11 Road safety and pathway progress

by Colin Hyde that drivers of 4-wheel vehicles have were killed when the vehicles in and the game was to see who would to drive with especial care on our which they were traveling were hit blink first, and no one did. You know, I told you that I once sat on a “PUP” highways because these are two-lane, from the rear, 7 were killed in they say that people who knew committee with the famous Mr. Torres, and are also used by motorcyclists, vehicles that ran off the road, 3 died poverty shouldn’t be so mean if they for all of two weeks – I don’t know if bicyclists, pedestrians, and horses. in side-on collisions, and 4 were get a break, but it seems that a lot of I should be proud for being placed on Look, it is what it is -- a one-lane killed in unspecified collisions.” people have short memories. I don’t a committee, or I should feel like I bridge can’t handle vehicles coming Raatid, 18 cyclists and 16 know if sadists proliferate in our was being tek for papisho, they putting from opposite directions at the same pedestrians killed by vehicles in country, but adults must know that me on a committee two weeks before time. 2019! That’s incredible and youth must be protected from a general election – but anyway, I was Last week we had three fatal intolerable! themselves, or are all the adults in on a committee, a traffic safety accidents, and a number of people I did expect that there were more leadership positions in our country committee, and I was glad to get in suffered serious injuries. Mr. Albert than seven motorcyclists who died in productos de vidas cloistered? my two cents. Mr. Torres and I were J. Ciego, in the story “85 persons died road accidents. It does seem that Sober leaders try to protect their of equal low rank on that committee, in traffic accidents in 2019”, there’s a motorcycle in every other young people from themselves. It’s but since then he has become rather published in the Amandala in RTA in Belize, and maybe it is that in the nature of the young fu du foolish famous, for his talk show presence and February 2020, said that there were there were a lot of such accidents, and crazy things. for his persistent efforts to acquire an 103 road accidents in 2019, 85 of but many of the riders survived when In primary school we are all taught independent seat on the Belize City them fatal. Mr. Ciego wrote: they crashed. that a stitch in time saves nine, and a Council. “According to the Ministry of Motor bike safety is critically little bit of tar stopped the ship from I think we can put less emphasis Health and the Police Department, of important, because motorized cycles sinking when it went to sea. You turn on the traffic story because that is the 85 persons who died, three are very efficient on fuel and they a blind eye to young people doing mainly about fender benders and persons fell out of vehicles, seven aren’t that costly to purchase and crazy or disrespectful things, and parking tickets; road safety persons were killed in head-on maintain, so they will increasingly other young people, like moths drawn absolutely cannot be ignored collisions, 18 persons were killed become the mode of transportation for to a flame, will also do the same. because any failure results in an while riding bicycles, 7 persons were our people. A special effort must be These big people know these things, enormous cost in lives and limbs and killed in motorcycle collisions, 16 made to make our highways safe, so so why don’t they step up and put the equipment and insurance. Point persons were pedestrians who were that horrific motorcycle accidents clamp on reckless riding and blank, I don’t have a soft spot for knocked down, and also, 10 persons decrease. driving? drunks or speed merchants. Our were killed when their vehicles Sometime back I had called for the Rich countries can afford nonsense. country can’t afford either, and more slammed into stationary objects. Traffic Department to give a safety In rich countries they are now than ever we need to clamp down “One person jumped out of a lecture to all motorcyclists who come repairing every ligament, limb and on these fiends on our highways. vehicle and died, seven persons died in to license their bikes, or renew organ in the human body, and it is paid How many times it has to be said in overturned vehicles, 2 persons their permit in order to get the for by their system. We are not in that privilege to use our highways. I category. We can’t afford to haven’t followed up to find out if they encourage fool. took my advice, but I doubt they did, I saved the best, our pathway, for because if they had, I am pretty sure I last. Big congratulations to my area would have heard. I gave some tips, rep, Mr. Julius Espat, for the excellent but maybe my ten plus years of riding work being done to deliver on a sin accidente does not qualify me as pathway from end to end of the village an expert rider. Well, there are where I live. I understand that a Chinese and India Indians here who number of other villages along the must have the credentials. highway are in line for pathways too, Motorbikes are always prominent and that is just good news pahn top a when you see pictures of streets in good news. China and India. Now, children in the villages can Reducing the horrific homicides in travel to and from school, safely, and a major way is difficult at this time people can go visiting their neighbors because of the incredibly weak justice down the road, safely, and when you system, the drug trade, and the terrible get drunk you can stumble home on a despondency and deprived state of pathway, safely, just like our fellow young men in the inner cities, but brother and sister Belizeans who live senseless accidents on the road we in urban areas. The pathways are a can stop. Of course there will be big step in the right direction. accidents, anyone can get into an The cost of accidents is huge. Apart accident, but we can stop people who from loss of life and serious injury seem to be looking to cause one. or loss of limbs, and loss of It tears at my insides to say bad equipment, accidents drive up the things to people, but you know how cost of insurance, and it drains the it is with what has to be said. I had SSB funds and strains the staff at our some rather harsh things to say about public hospitals. the minds of big bikers who race Accidents will happen, people through small villages, but I have will make mistakes, equipment will enough trouble on my hands today. fail, and we need vigilance on the Let me just say to the authorities that highways to keep them at a minimum. motorbikes tempt people to du fool, The traffic police must start behaving and if you gave a daam you would like vigilantes. Pull in a couple bad keep a closer eye on them. eggs and haul them off to the station. It was said that a head-on Who will get the sense from a motorcycle crash that resulted in two tambran whip, mek dehn drop dehn fatalities was the result of a dare. The pants, and who prefer to sleep behind two young men raced at each other bars, give them a night in a cell.

AMANDALA - The best there is! Page 12 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 Virtual Dialogue: Meeting SDG 6

series of technical and Dialogues for Results 2021: have access to drinking water or water regional dialogues aimed at Accelerating Cross-sectoral SDG 6 for sanitation. emphasizing the need for Implementation.” The United Nations Sustainable speeding up the In the Central American region, there Development Goal 6 has called for implementation of the United have been increased incidences of access to clean water for drinking and Nations Sustainable water pollution and over-exploitation sanitation for all by 2030. Recent Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). of water. Climate change has reports show that we are alarmingly This will help to put the drastically impacted the frequency of off-track. To address this issue, the members of the region on track floods and droughts. This causes United Nations General Assembly to satisfy the UN’s SDG 6. inequitable access to water across the declared the period 2018-2028 as the Within the Latin American region. According to research, there are International Decade for Action on and Caribbean region, this nearly 445 million people who do not “Water for Sustainable Development.” dialogue will be organized through the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Special Envoy visits the in collaboration with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental by Dayne Guy Hydrological Program (IHP). The first Governor General of these series of dialogues will be held BELMOPAN, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 as a virtual zoom conference on April by Dayne Guy Development of Women and The German Federal Ministry for the 29, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families, Rossana Briceño, paid a Environment, Nature Conservation and local time. These events are being BELMOPAN, Mon. Apr. 19, 2021 courtesy visit to His Excellency Sir Nuclear Safety (BMU) commenced a hosted under the theme, “Water The Special Envoy for the Colville Young to discuss how the Office of the Governor General can assist the Special Envoy. Briceño outlined the needs of the Special Envoy and presented potential areas in which the Office of the Governor General could assist. Additionally, Briceño thanked the Governor General for his $5,000 donation for the implementation of programs under the Special Envoy. In turn, the Governor General advised Briceño to actively seek partnerships with businesses and the public to contribute to and improve the efficiency of her office’s work. Although Sir Colville Young is to vacate his position at the Office of the Governor General at the end of this month, he and Special Envoy Briceño discussed his long-lasting impact on the development of music, literature, and education in Belize.

AMANDALA is cream Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 13 Page 14 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 From the Publisher

Reproduced from page 9 of the Tuesday, April 20, 2021, #3453 issue of Amandala

There is a growing tension in The in the surprise 1979 general election in the 1998 general election. But, the cannot speak definitively. All we know Jewel which features the recently victory of the PUP, the election which reason it was a blowout was because today, in April of 2021, is that you elected People’s United Party (PUP) essentially catapulted Belize to the masses of the Belizean people, who cannot win a general election any more government facing off with the workers’ political independence in 1981. I think we may describe as working without big money. This was not the unions of Belize because government It is difficult to pinpoint when class, had become hostile to Dr. Manuel case, I suggest, in the 1950s, the 1960s, finances are in a desperate state. elections here began to be decided by Esquivel’s UDP administration. the 1970s, or perhaps even the 1980s. There is a historical irony here in campaign financiers, or the oligarchy. If we say that the PUP first “bought” The masses of the Belizean people that when the PUP first won national At a certain point the two major political a general election in 1998, when was supported the PUP in the November elections in colonial British Honduras parties became beholden to big money, it that the UDP first “bought” a general 2020 general election and in the in 1954 and 1957, it was as the PUP/ which they used to campaign and election? I don’t think we can say national municipal elections in March GWU (General Workers Union). seduce the majority of the voters. Or, 2008, because there was massive of 2021. But now the workers’ unions The PUP busted free of the GWU in so it seems. anger directed at the incumbent PUP are angry at the new government for time for the 1961 general election, the I would say that campaign financiers from the union base. moving to cut their salaries, and the first under a new Ministerial were very influential in the PUP’s Perhaps we can say that the UDP unions are basically pointing fingers constitution, but it is generally felt that blowout of the incumbent United “bought” the 2015 general election at the big money people behind the the support of the unions was critical Democratic Party (UDP) government with PetroCaribe money. But, we politicians and asking serious questions. Belize appears to be in crisis. In the second part of this column, I want to throw out a few quotations from a paper by the late Peter Ashdown entitled THE PROBLEM OF CREOLE HISTORIOGRAPHY. A British historian who appears to have been a left wing ideologue, Ashdown is an academic I wish were still alive, and I wish I had met him, even though he criticizes my 1969 KNOCKING OUR OWN TING as “unconvincing.” The quotations are from the pages of the Second Edition of READINGS IN BELIZEAN HISTORY, published in 1987 by St. John’s College’s BELIZEAN STUDIES, and edited by Lita Hunter Krohn.

Following are three quotations from Ashdown’s paper, with the page numbers coming from the aforementioned READINGS IN BELIZEAN HISTORY.

“The inherent illogicality of having two versions of one’s history in Belize is a problem still unresolved. If Colonial governors (however well intentioned), exploiting merchants and Creole aristocrats are still the Belizean heroes, then the exploited class and its spokesmen - Fred Gahne, Samuel Haynes, Tony Soberanis and Luke Kemp - must still be the villains of the piece. These gentlemen will not all fit in the same bed. Such is the problem of Creole historiography and the sooner it is resolved the sooner can Belizean students of the future come to grips with a coherent vision of the reality of their past.” (pg. 147)

“ ... since 1954 the power structure has changed and so have ruling attitudes. Part of that change in attitude should have been the replacement of colonial ‘heroes’ (Cran, Slack, Matthews and assorted merchants) with Belizean working- class ones. This is necessary, for the precursors of Price, Pollard, Goldson and Richardson were men who opposed the Establishment in its heyday. They never stood a Please turn to„Page 16 Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 15 Page 16 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 From the Publisher repeated

Continued from Page 14 “The record shows quite clearly public works or social services. They Fairweather, James Cran, S. G. „ that Belize entered the twentieth also to a man defended the archaic Woods, Carlos Melhado, Rev. Robert chance of success, but they fought century undeveloped NOT because and repressive labour law until Cleghorn, Sydney Cuthbert, on. It is the duty of the educational the Colonial Office and the Colonial coerced into its repeal in 1943. Benjamin Stuart, and several others powers to recognize in death Government were indolent or Government spending on roads, (including the M.L.C.s of the 1930s contributions these early ‘agitators’ uncaring, but because their plans for education, public health and housing and 40s) should not be seen as the - Haynes, Lahoodie, Soberanis, development were sabotaged by the remained nominal and static until ‘people’s representatives’ (which they Adderley and Kemp - made to the unofficial members of the Legislative natural disaster broke the unofficial claimed they were) championing the nationalist cause, especially as in Council. Those gentlemen, because majority in 1932. That majority in cause of the masses against the their own lifetimes they were almost of their majority, retained the power its lifetime (1892-1932) included arbitrary rule of Downing Street, but universally reviled and often of the purse and the right to throw many men still highly regarded as rather viewed as a continuation of imprisoned. They did not live to out legislation unacceptable to them City Fathers, some of whose names the self-seeking elitist oligarchy share the fruits of the changes they and, whether expatriate or Creole, are still preserved in the which was the political power in fought for and the least we can do consistently opposed any increase in nomenclature of city streets as well Belize from its inception as a is to recognize their contribution in taxation to supplement the general as granite slabs at Lord’s Ridge. It is settlement until it became a Crown a nationalist history.” (pg. 148) revenue for the implementation of my contention that Benjamin Colony proper in 1932.” (pg. 151)

PROCUREMENT NOTICE FINANCE ASSOCIATE

Application requests to IFAD. • Assisting the FO to monitor the development of expenditures, ensuring that Background: The Government of Belize (GOB), with financing from the International budget overruns do not occur and prepares requests for possible Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has amendments. 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 3. Others sustainable market access for their produce. The programme will help farmers employ • Assisting with the maintenance and regularly updating of the following: Fixed climate resilient agricultural practices and technologies; Assets Register, Staff Data, MOU, and Contract Registers. integrate profitable smallholder participation into the development of select • Conducting a quarterly inventory of Programme assets, ensuring that vegetable, fruit, and honey value chains; and support smallholder production capacity insurance coverage is obtained for the same. through investments in public and private climate resilient infrastructure and in the • Any other accounting duties that may be assigned by the Finance Officer. strengthening of smallholder farmer Producers Organizations and relevant GOB Departments. Core Competences: • Extensive knowledge of accounting standards, fiscal procedures, and Scope of Work: applicable tax laws. The Finance Associate will report to the Finance Officer (FO), who will assign duties as • Exceptional attention to detail. appropriate, under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager (PM). The • Excellent collaboration and communication skills. Finance Associate is responsible for planning and executing all necessary financial • Excellent analytical and problem solving abilities. and accounting functions ensuring that they are following the requirements of the • Superb organizational and time management skills. Financing Agreements between GOB and IFAD. Academic Qualifications: Duties and Responsibilities: The Finance Associate shall possess a minimum of an associate degree in Accounting, Specific responsibilities of the Finance Associate include, but are not limited to the Finance or Business Administration. following: 1. Accounting Required Experience: • Maintenance and reconciliation of all Programme accounts following GOB, IFAD • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working in Finance, Accounting, Business and GCF requirements. Administration, or a related field. Experience in accounting for projects financed by • Recording of all transactions into the computerized accounting system and external donors will be an asset. ensuring that transactions are correctly assigned to the appropriate accounts, • Minimum, of three (3) years’ experience in bookkeeping functions and procedures. and to the appropriate categories, components, and funding sources. • Minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with computerized accounting • Ensuring that all payable accounts are maintained in a timely and thorough systems, specifically QuickBooks. fashion, including the preparation of statements and reconciliation of payable • Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in Records Management. accounts. • Minimum of two (2) years’ experience preparing financial reports and budgets. • Preparing purchase orders upon the request of Procurement Officer and approval of Programme Manager. Reporting: • Preparing payments (including payments to suppliers, utilities, contractors, service The Finance Associate will report directly to the Finance Officer. The duty station for providers and implementing partners) for all invoices and expenses approved the position will for payment. be at the PMU Office in Belmopan. • Preparing payroll, including payments for payroll liabilities (social security, income tax, etc.) for all RRB staff based on valid contracts. Application Submission: • Managing PMU Staff files and records to ensure accurate payment of benefits Interested candidates are requested to submit a Letter of Interest, Curriculum Vitae, and allowances (including travel allowances) and accurate tracking of personnel and two (2) Recommendation letters or References along with a copy of the highest data, including sick and vacation leave. degree via the following File Request Link: https://bit.ly/39dp1SK The deadline to • Preparing monthly financial reports (including trial balance and financial submit applications is Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 3:00p.m. ONLY APPLICATIONS statements) based on the accounting application, with all necessary justifying SUBMITTED VIA THE FILE REQUEST LINK WILL BE ACCEPTED. documentation (invoice, bank drafts, etc.); • Preparing payments for contracts, MOUs of Implementing Partners, and transfers Applications should be addressed as follows: to the DFC for the Matching Grant Fund in accordance with the IFAD guidelines. • Ensuring the management of the data file and the appropriate filing of the Resilient Rural Belize Programme electronic and hard copies of the financial documents and reports. Attn: Tracey Hanson Procurement Officer 2. Finance/Budget National Agriculture Showgrounds • In collaboration with the Finance Officer, assisting with the preparation, Hummingbird Highway, Belmopan City monitoring, consolidation and review of the Annual Work Plan and Budget. Cayo, Belize, C.A. • Assisting with the preparation of expense statements for Withdrawal Email: [email protected] Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 17

UDP made the same commitment to ensure democracy and good stop corruption and greed. The UDP behavior of his UDP ministers, who, failed again. In the general elections if they erred, would be punished and of 1998-2003, the PUP declared kicked out of government before the itself the new PUP to reform and stop end of the 5-year term, and passed political corruption by legislating into law a fake, unworkable recall new laws to prevent PUP ministers mechanism. It never worked. from bending or breaking any law Political corruption skyrocketed and ensuring that those who did so under these fake anti-corruption In solidarity for good faced the consequences in a court of laws. law. Since 1984 both the UDP and PUP governance The PUP lied again and have each had two straight five-year corruption skyrocketed instead. In the terms. The PUP became the first to general elections of 2008-2013, the have these two terms and lastly, the Dear Editor, independence, following Castro’s UDP reinvented its pledge to regain UDP had three terms of thirteen The following political historical communist Cuba. popular support and conveyed its years to fulfill their pledges, and facts can no longer be ignored. In the 1984 general elections, the serious commitment to introducing neither party ever did. The final Support the unions in their fight for UDP presented massive propaganda sweeping anti-corruption laws and results between these alternations justice, freedom, and good full of promises to end corruption true democracy, which were to be for so long between the PUP and the governance. We must stand together and the threat of communism and enforced by the Prime Minister, UDP, have been massive foreign to succeed. Solo el pueblo salva al defeated the PUP. In the UDP’s first holding in hand day and night a debt, increased massive poverty, pueblo! term of 1984-1989, the UDP also “double-edged machete to slash the increased massive unemployment, In the early 1970’s the PUP mass became corrupt and incompetent. In throat of any UDP minister at the massive increase in crime, massive party began to become corrupt in the general elections of 1989-1993, first rearing of its ugly head of suffering, and the massive takeover government and the new UDP built the UDP was defeated by the PUP, corruption.” The PM lost this of our national resources by foreign false rumors to gain popular support, who had pledged to end corruption machete to deal with corruption. His investors with duty-free tax claiming that the PUP would become and incompetence and failed. In the number 2 pledge for democracy was exemptions and many politicians on communist after achieving general elections of 1993-1998, the also a grand lie. He promised to both sides becoming super new millionaires. Too sad but real. Then, in 2016 steps were taken by the valiant and bold first non-political party, the BNTU, the first independent teachers union, that organized and demanded good governance to uproot political corruption and forced the UDP government to accede to some of their demands that yet need to be implemented. In the 2020 general elections, the PUP won a landslide election with a wide platform to eradicate chronic political corruption with the implementation of UNCAC. It seems that the PUP’s commitment against corruption remains unattainable. Corruption has reared its ugly head under this PUP government. Both PUP and UDP parties have been named criminal organizations in government. All PUDP anti- corruption laws to combat entrenched corruption are ineffective, and are fake laws that were never meant to uproot political corruption as a way of political life in Belize. The current fake UDP recall law needs to be rewritten in a well-defined language to become effective. The only credible organizations that are trustworthy and able to demand good governance and succeed are the trade unions. They are the BNTU, PSU, and APSSM. These organizations, along with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, are the true patriotic freedom fighters that we must support to rebuild and free Belize from corruption and greed and to form good governance and democracy. There are two models to choose from — in my view, it is preferable now to forego the strengthening of the UDP unworkable recall system and concentrate on and adopt the least expensive and better effective solution for the two five-year terms. It is a fact that the five-year-long term is a blessing and royal comfort for elected politicians and a too-long hell suffering for the people. It must now come to an end. A new, fair Please turn to„Page 18 Page 18 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021

BELIZE, 2021 In solidarity IN THE SUPREME COURT – PROBATE SIDE for good

STATUTORY NOTICE TO CREDITORS governance

IN THE ESTATE OF JUDITH ALMYRA CATTOUSE Continued from „Page 17 Deceased Late of Mile 14 Phillip Goldson Highway, Belize District, Belize democratic model is the solution. It is a glaring and irrefutable fact NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to section 36 of the Administration of Estates Act Chapter 197 of the that their corrupt behavior during their Laws of Belize that all persons having claims as creditors against the above named deceased or her past five-year term in office and their estate, are required to lodge any such claim(s) with Raymond Cattouse of Mile 14 Phillip Goldson ten-year straight terms of both PUP and Highway, Belize District, BelizeExecutor of the above-mentioned estate, within three months from the UDP parties have relentlessly continued the abuse of power and first publication of this notice after which date the Executor shall proceed to distribute the assets of the corruption in government. How can estate among the beneficiaries entitled thereto having regard only to such claims of which the Executor they now justify their five-year term will then have had notice. again? It is a fact that nothing lasts forever. We now demand a Dated this 20th day of April, 2021. constitutional amendment to the People’s Representation Act, and a RAYMOND CATTOUSE repeal of the five-year term so that members in the House of Executor of the Estate of Judith Almyra Cattouse Representatives have a three-year term after the last 2020 general elections that would conclude in 2023, as well as an amalgamation of the three-year term for all elected village council members, town council members, and city council members, to be elected jointly with House members on a date set for the new general elections for 2023 and onwards. This democratic model shall enforce the good behavior of all elected House members who really want to work for the interest of the people and will ensure a quick return in the next three-year general elections. This model will immensely reduce financial spending by cutting huge expenses on having separate village/ town/city elections. It will renew democracy and good governance. Support meaningful change now. Trade unions are renewing the demands for full implementation of UNCAC and a New Democratic, mandatory recall, to be in place permanently so that elections can be held in which voters can support or reject the government every 30 months or two and a half years (midterm), as well as public consultations via a national referendum with a yes or no vote for government ministers to continue in office or be kicked out and new general elections be held one month later. There is no turning back. Adelante! With these demands.

Sonia Cawich San Victor

See news in the making? SPORTS ACCIDENTS SOCIAL ISSUES CRIME Call us at: 280-4703 222-4838 Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 19 ICT equipment donated to Belize Crime Observatory PROCUREMENT NOTICE PROGRAMME ENGINEER

Background: The Government of Belize (GOB), with financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund, 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 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 strengthening of small holder farmer Producers Organizations and relevant GOB Departments.

Scope of Service: Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager the Programme Engineer will be responsible for overall guidance and management of the infrastructure investment related activities under the Climate Resilient Rural Infrastructure (CRRIA) component of the Resilient Rural Belize Programme (Be Resilient) in accordance with the Programme Implementation Manual (PIM), and regulations and procedures for supervision of design and civil works as per the applicable legislation of Belize. The Programme Engineer will be responsible for supervising and guiding activities of the PMU Institutional Development Specialist and Cconsultants involved in the design and supervision of works, ensuring that due regard is given to the quality and quantity of works to be implemented throughout PMU operations in the framework of the Programme’s CRRIA component.

Duties and Responsibilities: The following will therefore be the responsibility of the Programme Engineer.

• In cooperation with the PMU’s relevant staff, participate in information workshops and sensitize rural communities about the component, its objectives, eligibility criteria, and application and selection procedure. • Screen and rank the proposals in accordance with the criteria and procedure described in the PIM and develop recommendations, based on evaluation, for infrastructure fund award for Programme Oversight Committee (POC) review by Dayne Guy and approval. • Assess whether the proposed civil works are required or whether other, more appropriate structures may be more suitable. BELMOPAN, Tues. Apr. 20, 2021. • Review proposed works in relation to other possible alternatives. The USAID’s “Evidence-Based • Develop Terms of Reference for development of engineering designs for proposals selected for funding and implementation. Information Management for Citizen • Monitor and guide consultants’ activities selected for development of engineering designs. • Review detailed engineering designs in terms of sound technical solutions, quality and identified scope and volumes of Security in Central works. America and the Dominican • Arrange for the independent review of designs (if required) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) from Republic” project (commonly relevant institutions as per the legislation of Belize, so as to mitigate all social and environmental impacts reflected in the known as the InfoSeguro project) design. donated US $15,205 worth of ICT • Participate in Bid Opening and Evaluation Committee in evaluation of bids for consultancy services and civil woks equipment to the Belize Crime implementation. Observatory (BCO). This package • Provide support to the Procurement Officer in the management for all contracts for works procured by the PMU and for will support the BCO’s capacity to the implementation of the CRRIA component, including approvals of contractors’ submittals (payment certificates, variation orders, completion certificates, etc.) and notifications to the contractors (defects, penalties, etc.) and any other issues as provide logistical support to the specified in the general and special conditions of contract. Ministry of National Security and to • Participate and contribute in discussions with applicant, design companies and other interested parties in decision making Belize. during the construction stage. Among the equipment gifted to the • Supervise the implementation of civil works and coordinate activities of site supervisors in accordance with agreed procedure Belize Crime Observatory were and standard formats. three Dell workstations with high- • Ensure the compliance of design works and construction works with the technical requirements and ensure the overall quality monitors and a high-powered quality of works is of acceptable standards. Dell server. This donation will help • Organize the ‘handover’ of completed infrastructure facilities to the relevant institutions according to stipulated procedures. • As a member of the PMU, prepare annual work plans and budgets for the CRRIA component, provide reports and information the BCO meet the needs that it on infrastructure investment operations as necessary to the Programme Manager and contribute to progress reports. outlined in its Strategic Action Plan • Ensure full compliance with the technical specification as per design, and in the case where technical changes are to be (2020-2021), which was developed made liaise with designers to effect changes. on the recommendation of InfoSeguro. The Belize Crime Academic Qualification and General Experience: The Programme Engineer must possess. Observatory serves as the national • A minimum of a BSc. In Civil Engineering or related field. repository of crime data and • A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in civil engineering works. information. This donation will Specific Experience: The Programme Engineer must possess: provide the BCO with the proper • A minimum of five (5) years’ working experience with projects for infrastructure rehabilitation (roads, bridges, drainage, framework to bolster Belize’s crime etc.). Experience with projects funded by an International funding agency would be an advantage. intelligence architecture. • A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in engineering design, revision, and its related requirements. The InfoSeguro Project is • A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a supervisory position. spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Report: The Programme Engineer will work closely with the technical staff of the Programme Management Unit but report directly in partnership with the Ministry of to the Programme Manager. The duty station for the position will be at the PMU Headquarters in Belmopan. Home Affairs & New Growth Application Submission: Industries. The UNDP aims to Interested candidates are requested to submit a Letter of Interest, Curriculum Vitae, and two (2) Recommendation letters or support the crime and justice data References along with a copy of the highest degree via the following File Request Link: https://bit.ly/3dzNuEz platforms regionally to allow The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 3:00p.m. ONLY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA THE FILE countries to make more informed REQUEST LINK WILL BE ACCEPTED. decisions to reduce crime. Applications should be addressed as follows:

Resilient Rural Belize Programme Attn: Tracey Hanson AMANDALA Procurement Officer is cream National Agriculture Showgrounds Hummingbird Highway, Belmopan City Visit us at Cayo, Belize, C.A. www.amandala.com.bz Email: [email protected] Page 20 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021

A house divided

Dear Editor, of you. I was blown away by the news All public servants, not only that the PUP government resorted to office workers, are the nuts and bolts media ads to publicly discredit of the mechanism by which an unions, leaders of the Public Service elected government functions and Union in particular. This tit for tat, carries out its mandate and this cutting off their nose to spite Constitutional obligations to the their face, is nothing short of people. They deliver essential immature and dangerous. services to the population. They In taking such a stance against the work to improve living conditions unions, not to mention subjecting the and to make the nation a better and Constitution yet again to the whims safer place. of political rivalry, this Are they to accept salary cuts, be administration has brought treated like troublesome governance spiraling to a new low. appendages, lap their tails between It is an unfortunate development their legs and just go about making that is especially telling of the the country run, with little say in the People’s United Party — a party running of it, while watching its conceived by the people in solidarity wealth not only being undervalued with the union movement, no less. but squandered, even siphoned out Have elected officials forgotten, of the country? perhaps never really believed, that With a disillusioned and government is indeed of the people, demoralized public service, a and is the people, not an entity government is weakened; the nation separate from the people? I borrow collapses. from St. Paul: one body, many parts; A house divided against itself therefore, the eye cannot say to the cannot stand (St. Mark). hand I have no need of you, nor again, the head to the feet, I have no need Beryl Young Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 21 BELIPO to host seminars for World Intellectual Belize Social Investment Fund Property Day

JOB VACANCY TECHNICAL OFFICER – COMMUNITY/INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) is a quasi-governmental body that was established by the Government of Belize (GOB) in 1996 with the passage of the Social Investment Fund Act. The BSIF is designed to contribute to the reduction of poverty in both urban and rural areas through the delivery of small-scale community sub-projects under various sectors including water and sanitation, health, economic infrastructure, education, social services, and organizational strengthening. The BSIF assists local communities in identifying community issues and in deciding which interventions can provide solutions.

BSIF is seeking to recruit an individual to fill the position of Technical Officer-Community/Institutional Development by Dayne Guy

Job Summary: BELMOPAN, Belize, Wed. Apr. 21, The Technical Officer - Community and Institutional Development (TO-CID) will be stationed at the Fund’s headquarters 2021 in Belmopan and will be supervised by the Technical Unit Coordinator. The TO-CID will conduct project appraisals, The Belize Intellectual Property supervision, and monitoring, and will serve as a resource person for the BSIF in conducting social and institutional appraisals. Office (BELIPO) will celebrate The officer will also be responsible for coordinating the activities of the field officer in assessing community needs and World Intellectual Property Day by assets and in conducting activities aimed at strengthening beneficiaries. hosting two virtual seminars that will highlight how important intellectual Qualifications & Experience: property rights are for economic A minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Rural/ Community Development, or related field. The candidate shall development. World Intellectual have at least five (5) years of experience in project management and in community development. The candidate shall be Property Day was established in computer literate with a working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of applications. The candidate shall possess 2000. It has since been observed experience in working with international funding agencies. The candidate shall be fluent in English. Fluency in Spanish shall every April 26. The theme of this be highly considered. year’s World Intellectual Property Duties and Responsibilities: Day is “IP & SMEs: Taking your 1. Perform all duties in keeping with the procedures, guidelines, and agreements provided for by the organization. ideas to market.” 2. Participate as a member of BSIF’s Technical Unit - in being the lead intermediary - in organizing and supervising BELIPO’s seminars will take community needs and assets assessments and organizational needs assessments. place over a span of two days. The 3. Conduct technical, financial, environmental, economic, sustainability, institutional, and social assessments of project seminars on the first day, April 22, proposals. 2021, will address the importance of 4. Participate as a member of BSIF’s Technical Unit - in being the lead intermediary - for the development of projects, registering intellectual property and which shall be presented to the BSIF Board of Directors and funding agency(ies) for approval. how it may boost success models in 5. Oversee the activities undertaken by BSIF’s field officer. businesses. On the second day, April 6. If called upon, conduct the technical evaluation of bids for the execution of works and the supply of goods. 23, 2021, the seminars will focus on 7. Conduct the evaluation of expressions of interest submitted by consultants, followed by the technical and financial copyright laws and taking ideas to the evaluation of proposals submitted for the provision of consultancy services. market. 8. Monitor the activities of contractors and goods suppliers to ensure that services rendered are in accordance with the These seminars will include terms and conditions of their respective contracts. presentations from Marie Sharp’s 9. Monitor and supervise the activities undertaken by consultants to ensure that services rendered to the BSIF are in Fine Foods Ltd., Belize Agro accordance with the terms and conditions of their respective contracts. Enterprise Ltd., The Belize Trade and 10. Verify payment certificates submitted by consultants and BSIF’s engineer/architect. Investment Development Services 11. Act as the lead intermediary in the coordination and supervision of work undertaken by community members as a part (BELTRAIDE), attorney-at-law of their community contribution. Marissa Longsworth and reps from 12. Act as the lead intermediary in the coordination and supervision of training activities for various stakeholders. the Belizean Society of Composers 13. Prepare budget changes that may arise during the execution of project activities. Authors Publishers (BSCAP). 14. Liaise with various counterparts to ensure the efficient execution of project activities. The multi-day event will conclude 15. Work along with various line ministries, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations to with a BELIPO open day. BELIPO strengthen collaborative efforts. invites the public to attend, collect 16. Assist the administrative staff in ensuring that project files contain all required documentation. information, and get special 17. Assume responsibility for the Fund’s Assets assigned to the officer for the execution of duties; 18. Report to the Technical Unit Coordinator on the progress of activities under execution. assistance. Strict COVID-19 19. Any other duties required for the effective functioning of the BSIF. measures will be in place. BELIPO encourages all to visit Supervisor: Technical Unit Coordinator, Belize Social Investment Fund their webpage at https:// www.belipo.bz/ for more Proposed Salary: Negotiable based on qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will be employed on a full- information regarding their series of time contractual basis and stationed at BSIF’s Office in Belmopan. The initial contract period shall be two (2) years, events or to tune in to Krem TV on extendable by mutual agreement in accordance with prevailing Belize legislation as well as results of his/her performance Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 7:30 appraisal. p.m. to watch their representatives speak on the scheduled activities and Work Station: The TO-CID will be stationed at the BSIF office in Belmopan; however, will be intellectual property’s importance. required to travel to communities in various parts of Belize. A release from the Government of Belize Press Office stated, “The Closing Date for Receipt of Applications: Monday, May 10th, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Belize Intellectual Property Office under the auspices of the Attorney Kindly submit One (1) original and two (2) hard copies of CV, complete with cover letter, copies of degree/certificates to: General’s Ministry takes this Executive Director opportunity to encourage Belize Social Investment Fund entrepreneurs and SME’s to ‘take Constitution Drive their ideas to market’ today, Belize Belmopan and the rest of world is waiting.” Belize, Central America [email protected] CC to: [email protected] [email protected] Visit us at Re: Technical Officer - Community/Institutional Development www.amandala.com.bz Page 22 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 23 Page 24 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CONSULTING SERVICES – CONSULTING FIRM CONSULTING SERVICES – CONSULTING FIRM Consultancy for the Department of Transport, Consultancy for Public Ground Transportation Routing, Transportation Policy, Legal and Operational Review and Scheduling and Ticketing System Belize Update Belize Institution: Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics Country: Belize Institution: Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics Project: Capacity Building for Public Transport Reform Country: Belize Sector: Public Sector Project: Capacity Building for Public Transport Reform Abstract: This project aims to support the implementation of Sector: Public Sector the short-term transportation reforms needed to Abstract: This project aims to support the implementation of strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Public the short-term transportation reforms needed to Utilities, Energy & Logistics and enhance the public strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Public transportation industry as a continuation of the Utilities, Energy & Logistics and enhance the public Comprehensive National Transport Master Plan transportation industry as a continuation of the (CNTMP). Developed in close coordination with the Comprehensive National Transport Master Plan Economic Development Council and the Belize (CNTMP). Developed in close coordination with the Infrastructure Limited, the project will aim to: (i) build Economic Development Council and the Belize capacity for public and private institutions to Infrastructure Limited, the project will aim to: (i) build effectively plan and implement policy initiatives to capacity for public and private institutions to improve the service quality and efficiency of public effectively plan and implement policy initiatives to transport; (ii) make the public transportation services improve the service quality and efficiency of public more efficient through the design of a bus routing, transport; (ii) make the public transportation services scheduling and ticketing system, improved terminal more efficient through the design of a bus routing, facilities and an improved bus fleet with the necessary scheduling and ticketing system, improved terminal regulations and standards for the sector. facilities and an improved bus fleet with the Loan/Credit/Grant No.:ATN/KR-17666-BL necessary regulations and standards for the sector. Contract/Bid No. : CS2 Loan/Credit/Grant No.: ATN/KR-17666-BL Deadline: 07 May 2021;16:00 Local Belize Time Contract/Bid No. : CS1 Deadline: 07 May 2021; 16:00 Local Belize Time The Government of Belize has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), toward the cost of the Capacity Building for Public The Government of Belize has received financing from the Inter-American Transport Reform, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting Development Bank (IDB), toward the cost of the Capacity Building for Public services. Transport Reform, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include Consultancy for Public Ground Transportation Routing, Scheduling and Ticketing System. The key output of the consultancy is the preparation of a Public Ground Transportation routing The consulting services (“the Services”) include the Department of Transport, design for the country entailing the collection of data and design of an online Transportation Policy, Legal and Operational Review and Update. The overall ticketing system and scheduling system. objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive review of the public transport policy and legal framework, and regulations governing public Objectives: transportation in Belize and updating them to current international standards The objectives of the consultancy are to (i) rationalize the public transport and best practices. (Public Ground Transportation) lines in Belize to improve efficiency and quality of service; (ii) prepare a scheduling system for Public Ground transport vehicles; The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics now invites eligible consulting (iii) design an online system that supports ticketing and scheduling; (iv) conduct firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. desk feasibility study on alternative modes of transportation for Public Ground Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they Transportation fleet, e.g. Electric Vehicles, Compressed natural gas. have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350- Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the 15 and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. A Consultant Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting will be selected in accordance with the Quality and cost-based selection of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-15 method set out in the Consultant Policies. and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and cost-based selection method set Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a out in the Consultant Policies. sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing the short list, the nationality of a firm is that of the country in which it is legally Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing of the firm appointed to represent it. the short list, the nationality of a firm is that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of Further information can be obtained via email or phone during the hours the firm appointed to represent it. 8:00am – 5:00pm from Mondays to Fridays. Further information can be obtained via email or phone during the hours 8:00am Expressions of interest must be sent in a written form to the address or by – 5:00pm from Mondays to Fridays. email by 07 May 2021; 16:00 Local Belize Time. Expressions of interest must be sent in a written form to the address or by Subject: Expression of Interest - Consultancy for the Department of Transport, email by 07 May 2021; 16:00 Local Belize Time. Transportation Policy, Legal and Operational Review and Update Belize Subject: Expression of Interest - Consultancy for Public Ground Transportation Attn: Trudy Joseph Routing, Scheduling and Ticketing System. Administrative and Procurement Assistant Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics Attn: Trudy Joseph Transport Planning and Project Unit Administrative and Procurement Assistant Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics Melhado Parade, Nemo Building Transport Planning and Project Unit Belmopan, Belize C.A. Melhado Parade, Nemo Building Email: [email protected] Belmopan, Belize C.A. Phone: 501-672-0848 Email: [email protected] Phone: 501-672-0848 Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 25

STRENGTHENING OF TAX ADMINISTRATION PROJECT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Consulting Firm to Design, Implement and Execute a Countrywide Public Awareness and Marketing Campaign

Institution: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested eligible Consultants Country: Belize must submit an Expression of Interest providing information demonstrating that Project: Strengthening of Tax Administration (STA) they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Abstract: Consulting Services – Consulting Firm to Design, Implement and Execute services (brochures, description of similar assignments specifying start and end a comprehensive Public Awareness and Marketing Campaign before, during and dates of assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate after the implementation of the NEW procured Integrated Tax Administration skills, etc.). The term “consultant” means a legally-established professional System (ITAS). consulting firm or an entity that may provide the services.

Loan No.: 4839/OC-BL Expression of Interest package should contain: Deadline: May 14, 2021 Belize Local Time (i) Document explaining interest, experience, and competence of the consulting firm. The Government of Belize (GOB) has received financing from the Inter-American (ii) Firms experience in the assignment of similar consultancy services during Development Bank (IDB) for the execution of a five-year tax modernization the past five years. Description of similar assignments specifying start project entitled “Strengthening of Tax Administration” (BL-L1031). The main and end dates of assignments. beneficiaries of the Project are: (a) the Government, which will have more (iii) Firms evidence of past jobs. revenues to implement its public policies; (b) taxpayers, who will have more (iv) Two references support and a digital environment to fulfil their tax obligations; and (c) the (v) Proof of nationality: Copy of certificate of incorporation and information population, from the government policies implemented. Through this project, the of shareholders of company specifying the shares owned by each Belize Tax Service (BTS) Department has procured a Modern Integrated Tax respective shareholder of the company. Administration System (the Revenue Management System (RMS)) and is presently in the implementation process. This new system will be used in the management Additional documentation required for National Consultants: of the Belize Tax Administration. (vi) Copy of Certificate of Good Standing from Belize Company Registry (vii) Copy of Certificate of Good Standing from the Social Security Board The consulting services (“the services”) include the contracting of a consulting (viii) Copy of Certificate of Good Standing from the Belize Tax Service firm for a period of twelve (12) months to Design, Implement and Execute a (ix) Current Trade License comprehensive Public Awareness and Marketing Campaign for the promotion of the new procured ITAS system. informing the public that this new system is Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the intended to allow for the BTSD to accomplish its future Business Model Principles Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting which aims to be a fully automated process with seamless integration with other of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (GN-2350- entities, data driven and taxpayer centric. The new ITAS system focuses on 15, May 2019 edition) and is open to all eligible consultants as defined in the IDB improving services which will allow for a 360 view of a taxpayer tax account to policies. be both face to face and online, improve compliance and increase revenue collection. The New ITAS system will be taxpayer centric which will allow taxpayer Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a to access and manage their tax account online. The main activities of the sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. For the purpose of establishing consultancy includes: the short list, the nationality of a firm is that of the country in which it is legally incorporated or constituted and in the case of Joint Venture, the nationality of the 1. Develop, and Map out the communication strategy and action plan for firm appointed to represent it. the Pre, During and Post ITAS implementation 2. Design and Develop various communication materials targeting internal A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection based on the and external stakeholders, using different and relevant modes of Consultants’ Qualification method set out in the IDB Consultant Policies. The communication in a continuous and progressive phased-out approach selected consulting firm will be selected based on its experience and competence consistent with the Pre, During and Post ITAS Implementation. relevant to the assignment and most appropriate qualifications and references. 3. Production, Broadcasting and Dissemination of various communication Only the highest ranked consulting firm from the short-listed firms will be materials targeting internal and external stakeholders in a continuous and notified and will be asked to submit a technical and price proposal. progressive phased-out approach consistent with the Pre, During and Post ITAS Implementation. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 4. Evaluation of the effectives of the public awareness communication Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Expressions of interest must be delivered campaign. via direct mail or e-mail at the address indicated below by 4:00 p.m. on May 14, 2021. The Consulting firm should have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the following areas below (* are a must): Interested consulting firms are asked to submit their expression of interest via e- mail to [email protected] marked STAP- Consulting Firm to *Development of change management campaigns Design, Implement and Execute a Countrywide Public Awareness and Marketing *Advertisement campaigns Campaign in the subject header, or submit before or on May 14, 2021 to the *Audio-visual production following address: *Graphic design Educational campaigns Director General Communication planning Belize Tax Service Strategic communication Strengthening of Tax Administration Project Communications marketing Charles Bartlett Hyde Building Digital content creation. Mahogany Street, Belize City Tel: 501-222-5114 The firm should prove its expertise in conducting large communication activities, at national and local level, and conducted at least two PR campaigns of similar For clarifications kindly contact: type in the last 5 years in Belize or in the Caribbean, the firm should have specific experience in at least one similar assignment in Belize for citizen Procurement Specialist engagement and outreach activities in the past five (5) years, and experience in Project Executing Unit organizing events (workshops, trainings, conferences targeting different groups: Strengthening of Tax Administration Project citizens, national and local public administration, mass media, NGOs etc.). Charles Bartlett Hyde Building Mahogany Street, Belize City The Ministry of Finance now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to Tel: 501-222-5114/E-mail: [email protected] Page 26 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctio ns.com the following properties, vehicle and boats. Sales currently running and will expire between Monday 10th May 2021 at the times shown on the website.

1. Parcel No. 1404 Handyside Street, Belize City, Belize District:

REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Fort George/Pickstock 45 1404

(Being a two storey residential structure [1040 sq. ft.] and lot [104.038 S.M.] situate on Handyside Street, Belize City, the freehold property of Mr. Anthony Young and Mrs. Candelaria Young)

2. No. 781 Malacate Area, Independence Village, Stann Creek District:

ALL THOSE LEASEHOLD premises being Lot No. 781 situate in Independence Village, Stann Creek District and bounded as follows: on the Northeast for 30.742 meters by Lot No. 748; On the Southeast for 20.014 meters by Lot No. 782; On the Southwest for 30.472 meters by Lot No. 780; On the Northwest for 20.014 meters by a 40 feet street containing 615.270 square meters of land as sown on Entry No. 7908 Reg. 29 at the office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon. (Being an elevated (4ft. above ground) timber/concrete dwelling house and Lot [615.270 S.M.] situate Lot No. 781 Malacate Area, Independence Village, Stann Creek District, the leasehold property of Ms. Delcia Palacio)

3. 2012 Ford Explorer:

2012 Ford Explorer

4. Sir Alex: 35 ft. Pipersburgh Monohull Passenger Fiberglass Boat - 2 Yamaha 200 Outboard Motors (no foot)

5. Baby Giselle: 29 ft. Wayward Monohull Passenger Fiberglass Boat - 1 Yamaha 200 Outboard motor 40 public officers to become good-governance trainers BOATS CAN BE VIEWED AT NO. 170 BELTEX AVENUE, BELAMA PHASE 1, BELIZE CITY BELMOPAN, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 on the anti-corruption curriculum across ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH The Government of Belize, in the public service. KEVIN A. CASTILLO collaboration with Galen University, The launch of the Good Governance TELEPHONE 223-4488 will provide training to forty public Transparency and Ethics Training of E-mail: [email protected] officers so that they in turn can be Trainers course was officially Face Book: Belize Auctions trainers who provide instruction based announced on April 20. The program is geared at preparing public servants for the rollout of the good governance agenda, amid the constant calls for good governance reform from the unions. FIRST NOTICE The Ministry signed a memorandum of association on February 18 which Pursuant to Section 10 (3) of the Belize Mines and Minerals Act, Chapter 226, Substantive has resulted in the creation of this course. The program will be conducted Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, Norman Reimer for and on behalf of A & N by the Galen Institute of Leadership Construction Ltd. of Spanish Lookout, Cayo District, Belize C.A, has applied to the Development and Continuing Honourable Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, through the Inspector Education. of Mines, Mining Unit; for a license to extract limestone and marl from quarries for the The training course is expected to Caracol Road Upgrade Project – Lot1B within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, be concluded on May 27, 2021. Cayo District. The area to be mined is bounded between UTM Co-ordinates:

Site Eastings Northings 1) 293064 1892618 2) 290159 1891201 3) 287613 1890213 4) 288467 1889359 5) 290421 1888048 6) 291763 1890213

The area to be mined comprises approximately thirteen (13) acres. Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 27 MRT visits new energy sites in Toledo

by Dayne Guy of the energy sector in Belize. Energy Fund (UAE CREF). During countrywide to establish and support Through this EU-funded project, their visit, the delegation concentrated a national energy framework for INDIAN CREEK, Toledo District, funding opportunities and technical on using energy services efficiently for communities that were not previously Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 assistance in the setup of systems will agro-processing industries, eco- on the energy grid. By doing so, the In collaboration with the Ministry be provided to aid remote tourism, business services, irrigation ministry intends to provide universal of Rural Transformation, Community communities in Belize that are too far and refrigeration. access to energy services for citizens, Development, Labour and Local away from the national grid, which The Ministry of Public Utilities, businesses, and government Government (MRT), and the National makes it unprofitable for a Energy and Logistics will begin administrations regardless of their Village Council Organization commercial provider of electricity to regular follow-up initiatives geo-location. (NAVCO), the Ministry of Public set up a connection. Utilities, Energy and Logistics During this field trip, the delegation initiated field trips to key villages in met with key stakeholders from the the Toledo District that will be villages of Corazon Creek, Mabil Ha, implementing new energy systems Santa Teresa, San Vicente, Jalacte and with assistance from international San Jose, and additionally visited the development partners. village of Indian Creek that This comes as a part of an initiative implemented the mini-grid project that pioneers the introduction of known as the “emPOWERing Rural electricity to those that once lacked Electrification Project” or the access to energy systems. It is “emPOWER Project”. The latter supported by the European Union- project was started using grant funds funded Technical Assistance Project offered from the United Arab that is helping to increase the capacity Emirates-Caribbean Renewable

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs. The Belize Bank International Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the following property/ properties. Sales currently running and will expire on Monday 10th May 2021 at 1:30 pm

1. 28.961 Acres (53 parcels) situate approx. 5 Kilometers north San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize District: Hogman recovering at KHMH

Tuesday resulted in a chronic- hypertensive evaluation, and an immediate request for ambulance to transport Hogman to the hospital. Yesterday, Wednesday, Hogman was moved to Medical Ward, and in our visit at 12:30 today, he remained with a resilient and positive spirit, declaring, though obviously weak, “A wahn fight ahn.” Because of a discrepancy with their registered last name, Flowers, their mother’s title, both Olivera brothers have yet to be enlisted in the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, where Peru could also be assisted with a doctor recommended expensive MRI evaluation. We have not yet received any BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 direct communication from his On Tuesday evening, Belize attending physician, a Dr. Romero, football legend Wayne “Hogman” but an attendant in Medical Ward Olivera was transported by today indicated that Hogman may ambulance from his Santa Barbara need dialysis treatment at two Street home to Karl Heusner hundred dollars a session. Memorial Hospital, where he spent Since September of last year, a a day in the emergency care area, group of sixteen past football before being transferred to Medical players and fans, the Peru Olivera Ward where today he remains under Support Team (P.O.S.T.), have (Being 28.961 acres of vacant land subdivided to create 53 parcels situate approximately 5 observation. In a weakened state joined together to give some kilometers north of the San Pedro Bridge (straight line) and west of Las Terrazas Resort on Ambergris Caye, Belize District, the freehold property/properties of Messrs. Satori Land Inc. following a fall at home on Sunday financial assistance to the two Surety for Mr. Rajiv Seth & Mr. Rupinder Kaur Gill) night, Hogman, a 2009 stroke football legend brothers, who are surviror who needs crutches to walk, both incapacitated due to stroke, and TERMS: STRICTLY CASH was reluctant to go to hospital, are neither receiving any social KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 223-4488 according to his sister Elaine, with security benefits. P.O.S.T. may need Website: belizepropertyauctions.com whom he resides along with brother a few more members if Hogman Email: [email protected] Rudolph “Peru” Olivera, who is also requires long term dialysis Facebook: Belize Auctions bedridden. A doctor home visit on treatment. Page 28 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 MOA forms Citrus Working Group

responding to the “Production of citrus in Belize has with analyzing the low production levels challenges facing the rapidly declined in recent years, reaching within the industry, as well as citrus citrus industry by a low of 2.1 million boxes in the 2019- greening and other diseases, the financial forming a high-level 2020 crop, while the current crop is not constraints in the industry, and the overall working group tasked expected to reach even 2 million boxes. local and international challenges that the with preparing This is a dismal production when industry faces. recommendations that compared to the 7.8 million boxes They will also present reform chart the way forward produced in 2005, a time when citrus proposals, inclusive of legislation and for the industry in was in its glory days and considered the organizational changes, and analyze all Belize. ‘King of the South,’” a release from the viable options in the industry. The In Belize, the output Government of Belize Press Office working group will review existing data, of the citrus industry states. consult with key industry personnel, and has declined to record The working group is governed by prepare the recommendations. lows from previous four terms of reference and will be These will be reviewed by the Minister production levels engaged for eight weeks in preparation of Agriculture, Hon. Jose Mai, and BELMOPAN, Tues. Apr. 20, 2021 recorded in 2005 when the crop was of the recommendations. The seven- presented to the Cabinet in the form of The Government of Belize is considered “King of the South.” member working group will be tasked a Cabinet paper.

Request for Proposal – Individual Consultancy Civil Society National Reference Group Workshop and Retreat Consultancy Services.

Background: g. Prepare and compile electronic copies of educational and training material The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year initiative launched by the European developed during this consultancy Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and h. Produce a final report with all information included in soft and hard copy. girls (VAWG). This initiative galvanizes political commitment at the highest levels i. The final work and information should i. Portray the work of CSNRG to meet the and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically expectations of Spotlight Initiative Goal 5: Gender Equality, fully integrating the principle of “Leaving No One Behind.” ii. Display all partner and donor logos The initiative focuses on domestic and family violence and seeks to contribute to iii. Final delivery inclusive of a well design and well branded report sent in ten hard ending family violence by strengthening policy and legislations that will guarantee copies and electronically or on flash drives. increased protection of women and girls, building the capacity of state and non- j. The Consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks: i. In coordination state actors to respond to family violence, expanding the range of services available with the President and Vice President, plan the Workshop Retreat Session for the CSNRG and addressing social norms and behaviors that promote violence against women Membership and girls. ii. Develop a Facilitation plan based on the agenda and submit for final approval to the Executive In Belize, the global and regional declarations, conventions, and resolutions aimed at iii. Submit a list of Training materials needed for facilitation addressing violence against women and girls have been integrated within the iv. A short summary report of the demographic information about the participants/ formulation of legislation, policies, and action plans which have been endorsed by interviewees the government at the highest level. One of the critical aspects of the Spotlight v. A summary of the discussions Initiative in Belize is the good alignment with existing efforts by government and vi. A short conclusion summarizing the main overall observations and future training non-government entities at national and local levels. Therefore, the Initiative will recommendations (100-200 words). contribute to the achievement of goals and targets articulated in national frameworks Consultant will work closely with the President and Vice President of th eCSNRG such as Horizon 2030, Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy 2017-2021 (GSDS), National Gender Policy, the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy, Qualification & Experience: the National Youth Policy, the National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan and the • At least 5 years’ experience in working cohesively with grassroots organizations, National Children’s Agenda. persons affected by gender-based violence, anti-human trafficking, women’s empowerment and human rights or have extensive training as a trainer of trainers; The Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG), is a key part of the governance with a minimum of a Sixth Form Degree mechanism for the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative in Belize. This serves as an institutional mechanism to harness civil society participation and expertise. The • Relevant discipline or the equivalent educational and community experience with CSNRG operates at dual functionality — to advise the Spotlight Country Programme at least 3-5 years’ applicable professional experience. and to advocate and partner for the realization of its objectives. The Spotlight Initiative • Highly organized Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG) in Belize members were considered • Knowledge and experience with other international organizations and/or Global by civil representatives from umbrella organizations in Belize, namely the National Funds Trade Union Congress, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belize Council of • Highly creative and innovative thinker Churches, Belize Network of NGOs and the National Student Union of Belize. • Empathetic and Tolerant in character • Experience with editing and proofreading documents The CSNRG serves to find sustainable approaches and strategies to end Domestic Violence (DV) and Violence towards Women and Girls (VAWG). We are Civil Society • Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible attitude. Activists and leaders from across the country representative of marginalized women • An understanding of target audiences and girls aimed to provide key oversight to national processes and agreements in • Able to work under pressure and adapt to challenges regards to the Spotlight initiative SI Belize. We represent Non-Governmental • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines Organizations (NGO), feminist networks, gender and expression activist, Indigenous • Fluency in English women, and youth institutions geared towards a likeminded approach of promoting Spotlight Imitative 6 Programmatic Pillars. The consultancy is expected to provide • Good Communication, interpersonal and liaison skills sound technical support and guidance services to achieve the Spotlight Initiative objectives for the CSNRG. Request for Proposal Package located: Please download the RFP package at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ Reference Objectives, Duties and Responsibilities: No 77619 or at http://www.bz.undp.org/content/belize/en/home/operations/ The CSNRG Workshop and Retreat Consultancy Services will be conducted under the procurement.html/ supervision of the Programme Officer of the Governance Unit. UNDP Belize with support for timely preparation and coordination of high-quality information including: Submission of Application Package: i. Conducting a strategic retreat for the CSNRG Proposals are required to submit by email or in 2 sealed envelopes clearly labeled RFP: Civil Society National Reference Group Workshop and Retreat Consultancy ii. Engagement in discussion with the CSNRG on deciding on training methodology, Services. logistics and cost for the implementation of training, to incorporate principles of leadership into the methodology of facilitation, as well as to provide mentorship United Nations Development Programme to the CSNRG. Attn: Procurement Associate iii. Submit final report via link in editable and pdf format by June 25, 2021. 3rd Floor, Lawrence Nicholas Building. Belmopan Cayo District, Belize, C.A. Expected Outputs and Deliverables Tel: (501) 822-2688, 0467, 4228 The following will be the expected outputs: Email: [email protected]

a. Review and finalize training agenda for approval by the CSNRG Executive Body Deadline for Application: Monday, May 3, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. b. Prepare the facilitate Plan for the session for prior approval by the President and Vice President UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and c. Prepare facilitation session report for approval by the CSNRG Membership culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities d. Collect pictures or video documentation (media release form for participants to are equally encouraged to apply. All submissions will be treated with the strictest of consent) confidence. e. Prepare participant registration sheets f. Facilitate Monitoring & Evaluation Mechanism for the session UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 29 Belizean migrant child reunites with father

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 to the US. Many of the members of these Some weeks ago we reported on But while her story ends with a migrant groups are detained by a Belizean migrant child who took sigh of relief, many other migrant Mexican authorities, who have the perilous journey from Belize to children, traveling alone from since clamped down on cross- the United States border all alone. Central American countries, are border migration to the north. Along the way she joined a group faced with a more bitter reality. The United States’ Biden of other children, all heading to the Almost half of the nearly 300 administration announced at the US/Mexican border without any children from Honduras, start of Biden’s presidency that parental supervision. Guatemala, El Salvador, and their approach to the migration The 12-year-old, Ashley Mexico who are arriving at the US/ issue would be different from the Henriquez, has since been reunited Mexican border each day, do not one taken by former US president with her father in Dallas, Texas, have any parents waiting for them Donald Trump. However, President after spending some weeks in on the other side. These children Biden has recently signed an order social services. either wait to cross into the US or to keep the number of refugees A photo was posted by her sister are sent back to their respective admitted to the US yearly at Trump- on Facebook celebrating her arrival countries of origin. era levels.

Request for Proposal – Individual Consultancy Civil Society National Reference Group Technical Advisor Consultancy Services

Background: performance indicators (strategy should outline the role of communications and advocacy The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year initiative launched by the European Union in achieving systemic change in the elimination of all forms of violence against women, and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). girls and severely marginalized populations) and (4) to draft template and reports to be This initiative galvanizes political commitment at the highest levels and contributes to used for CSNRG to do meet the commitment of the shadow reporting achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 5: Gender Equality, d. Produce a final report with all information included in soft and hard copy fully integrating the principle of “Leaving No One Behind.” The initiative focuses on e. The final work and information should i. Portray the work of CSNRG to meet the domestic and family violence and seeks to contribute to ending family violence by expectations of Spotlight Initiative strengthening policy and legislations that will guarantee increased protection of women ii. Display all partner and donor logos and girls, building the capacity of state and non-state actors to respond to family violence, iii. Final delivery inclusive of a well design and well branded report sent in ten hard expanding the range of services available and addressing social norms and behaviors that copies and electronically or on flash drives promote violence against women and girls. f. The Consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks: i. In coordination with the President and Vice President, CSNRG Annual Work Plan roll out In Belize, the global and regional declarations, conventions, and resolutions aimed at ii. Summary reports for deliverables addressing violence against women and girls have been integrated within the formulation iii. A short conclusion summarizing the consultancies work and results (100-200 words) of legislation, policies, and action plans which have been endorsed by the government at g. Consultant will work closely with the President and Vice President of the CSNRG the highest level. One of the critical aspects of the Spotlight Initiative in Belize is the good alignment with existing efforts by government and non-government entities at national Qualification, Experience and Skills: and local levels. Therefore, the Initiative will contribute to the achievement of goals and • At least 3 years’ experience in working cohesively with grassroots organizations, targets articulated in national frameworks such as Horizon 2030, Growth and Sustainable persons affected by gender-based violence, anti-human trafficking, women’s Development Strategy 2017-2021 (GSDS), National Gender Policy, the National Sexual and empowerment and human rights or have extensive professional experience in a similar Reproductive Health Policy, the National Youth Policy, the National Gender-Based Violence function within international development context - Public Policy, Advocacy and Action Plan and the National Children’s Agenda. Communications with a minimum of a Sixth Form Degree The Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG), is a key part of the governance • Relevant discipline or the equivalent educational and experience working with Civil mechanism for the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative in Belize. This serves as an Society Organizations in Belize with at least 3-5 years’ applicable professional institutional mechanism to harness civil society participation and expertise. The CSNRG experience operates at dual functionality — to advise the Spotlight Country Programme and to advocate • Strong background in policy analysis and research, human rights advocacy, community and partner for the realization of its objectives. The Spotlight Initiative Civil Society National mobilization and engagement and strong conceptual and research/analytical skills Reference Group (CSNRG) in Belize members were considered by civil representatives with the ability to quickly analyze data and information from different sources and from umbrella organizations in Belize, namely the National Trade Union Congress, Belize produce coherent reports Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belize Council of Churches, Belize Network of NGOs • Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with strong demonstrated ability and the National Student Union of Belize. to convey complex ideas in a clear, direct, and lively style • Ability to work independently, operate under pressure, manage multiple tasks, deliver The CSNRG serves to find sustainable approaches and strategies to end Domestic Violence time sensitive, high-quality work, and meet team objectives (DV) and Violence towards Women and Girls (VAWG). We are Civil Society Activists and • Highly organized leaders from across the country representative of marginalized women and girls aimed to • Knowledge and experience with other international organizations and/or Global Funds provide key oversight to national processes and agreements in regards to the Spotlight initiative SI Belize. We represent Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), feminist • Highly creative and innovative thinker networks, gender and expression activist, Indigenous women, and youth institutions geared • Empathetic and Tolerant in character towards a likeminded approach of promoting Spotlight Imitative 6 Programmatic Pillars. • Experience with editing and proofreading documents The consultancy is expected to provide sound technical support and guidance services to • Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible attitude. achieve the Spotlight Initiative objectives for the CSNRG. • An understanding of target audiences Objectives, Duties and Responsibilities: • Able to work under pressure and adapt to challenges The CSNRG Technical Advisor Consultancy Services will be conducted under the supervision • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines of the Programme Officer of the Governance Unit. UNDP Belize with support for timely • Fluency in English preparation and coordination of high-quality information including: • Good Communication, interpersonal and liaison skills 1. Analysis of the CSNRG Annual Work Plan 2021 and updating 2. Meeting with the CSNRG and UN Spotlight Initiative Technical Team to capture the Request for Proposal Package located: direction required Please download the RFP package at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ Reference No 3. Review and fine tune final draft of Advocacy Plan under work area #3 within the CSNRG 77617 or at http://www.bz.undp.org/content/belize/en/home/operations/ AWP 2021 for Decision Makers and Solidarity building for approval by the CSNRG procurement.html/ 4. Review and finalize Communications Guide for approval by the CSNRG 5. Review, modify and finalize draft M&E Plan for Oversight under Work area #4 Monitoring Submission of Application Package: and Evaluation of Implementation for approval by CSNRG Proposals are required to submit by email or in 1 sealed envelopes clearly labeled RFP: 6. Prepare the CSNRG Shadow Report Template for approval by the CSNRG Civil Society National Reference Group Technical Advisor Consultancy Services 7. Prepare monthly CSNRG Shadow Report in coordination with the CSNRG 8. Review and finalized the Community Report Cards for approval by the CSNRG United Nations Development Programme Attn: Procurement Associate 9. Submit final report via link in editable and pdf format by June 25, 2021. 3rd Floor, Lawrence Nicholas Building. Belmopan Cayo District, Belize, C.A. Expected Outputs and Deliverables Tel: (501) 822-2688, 0467, 4228 The following will be the expected outputs: Email: [email protected]

a. Prepare a workplan for the consultancy for approval by the CSNRG Executive Body within Deadline for Application: Monday, May 3, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. the first week of contractual service b. Facilitate Monitoring & Evaluation Process in coordination with the CSNRG UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and c. Engage in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the CSNRG, external culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities communications, advocacy, civil society outreach so as (1) to assist the CSNRG in compiling are equally encouraged to apply. All submissions will be treated with the strictest of and organizing tools developed for oversight functions and technical advisory role; (2) to confidence. develop the Program Implementation Evaluation and the Community Report Card; (3) to UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including develop a multi- year advocacy and communications strategy and workplan including key sexual harassment, and discrimination. Page 30 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY

BY ORDER of the Chargees, Messrs. Alpha GammaFinancial Services Limited, Licensed Auctioneer, Fernando Molina, will sell the following properties, being the freehold property of Palmetto Holdings Ltd.,TOGETHER with all buildings and erections thereon in one lot by way of public auction on site on Friday, the 7thof May, 2021 at European Super League faces 11:00 a.m.: resistance; Concacaf’s new REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Placencia North 36 662 (1.91 Acres), Champions League a reality 663 (1.60 Acres), 664 (1.29 Acres), 665 (1.14 Acres), BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 19, 2021 to play a few games in group series, 678 (0.99 Acre), There are reports of attempts being rather than face immediate elimination 679 (0.98 Acre) made by some of the top European as in times past when they had to first clubs joining together to form a new clash with one of the “powerhouse” Consisting collectively of 800 ft of Lagoon Front(Parcels 662, 663, “Super League,” whereby they would teams. Those big teams have therefore 664, 665) &400 ft of beach on the seaside(Parcels 678 & 679). not have to worry about qualifying for been given a bye to the second leg of the popular and lucrative Champions the qualification tournament for the Total Land Area: 7.91 acres League each year. But there is much Concacaf Champions League, while the Buildings & improvements: 3-Storey – 4,770 sq ft Concrete Structure opposition from local football leagues, weaker clubs have to battle through a Building under construction – piles and even UEFA and FIFA are group phase among themselves, with driven apparently not supporting the idea. only the top few allowed to enter the It’s a clash of football culture and second round along with the big squads. business. The big, successful clubs In the various European football make big money when they play each leagues – the English Premier League other, and much less, especially in (EPL), Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, television rights, when they have to play and others – they face the same smaller, less popular and weaker clubs dilemma; but the proposed European according to their local league fixtures. Super League (ESL) apparently The big money is at the Champions wanted to go a big step further, but League tournament; but for the big clubs, have run up against a major backlash there is always the risk that they would from their various local league fans. not make it in a given year. This new The relegation system is at the Super League, if successful, would foundation of the various European remove any relegation risk, and local leagues, and it provides much guarantee them their place in this top- excitement both at the top and the level competition each year. bottom levels of their competitions, In our CONCACAF region, Belizean as new clubs strive to enter the higher football clubs are quite familiar with leagues, and other clubs battle to avoid the pecking order, and the reluctance relegation. While in Belize, pundits of “big” clubs to engage with the have been lobbying for us to employ “minnows” in competition, not for fear the relegation system to spark more of losing, which is hardly a interest and competitiveness in our consideration, but because of the big competitions, a group of top clubs in reduction in revenue from fan the EPL, La Liga and Serie A have attendance at their home games against attempted to completely avoid the weak opponents. CONCACAF has relegation system and create this managed to get around the problem, exclusive European Super League while still allowing the weaker clubs (ESL). PM recommends Froyla Tzalam for GG (From page 1) BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 21, 2021 works. She has served as the Earlier this month we reported that Executive Director of the Sartstoon- the Governor General, Sir Colville Temash Institute for Indigenous Young, had sent his official letter of Management (SATIIM) and most resignation to the Prime Minister. He recently as the Managing Director of is scheduled to formally step down Tumul K’in Center of Learning. from this esteemed post on April 30. Besides this, she has worked on Speculation concerning the identity various literary pursuits, writing a of the person who would be filling grammar book on the Mopan Maya the vacant Governor General seat has dialect and several articles also finally come to an end. Froyla highlighting culture and identity. She Tzalam, a well-known force of nature was the co-director of the African and in the indigenous community and Mayan History Project and co-author wider Belizean society, has been of New Vision, a book on African and recommended for the high office by Mayan civilization. Prime Minister John Briceño. Ms. Froyla Tzalam is originally Tzalam is no stranger to the from San Antonio, Toledo, and is a Belizean public, so it’s no surprise Mopan Maya woman. She holds a TERMS: STRICTLY CASH that her recommendation was met Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology For further particulars on the properties, please contact: with wide acceptance and delight on and a Master’s degree in Rural social media. Development. Email: [email protected] Tzalam has worked tirelessly to She is expected to ascend to the Tel: 610-0919 promote and preserve Maya culture office of Governor-General by in the communities in which she month’s end. Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 31 Covid-19 update

could have two more COVID-19-related deaths. contributed to the The persons who died were both men slight increase in — one from the Belize District and cases that the country the other from Cayo. is currently seeing. On April 21, a total of 17 new cases At this time the were identified from a batch of 613 vaccination program tests. Three persons were marked as continues, with three recovered and 1 person who required phases being open at intensive care was hospitalized. Seven this time. Members of others battling Covid-19 were also the country security hospitalized. No new COVID-19 apparatus, including death was recorded on that day. BDF soldiers, Coast On Tuesday, April 20, the teams Guard officers, and from the Ministry identified a total of members of the Red 10 new cases from a batch of 494 tests Cross are now being that were conducted on that day. Five called to get their first persons were marked as recovered shot. and 6 infected persons were Also, those people hospitalized, with one person being over the age of 50 in need of intensive care. No new with comorbidities death was recorded. are asked to reach out Over the weekend, from April 17th to the healthcare to the 19th, a total of 20 new cases facilities to get were found in 1378 samples vaccinated. Recently, processed. A total of 13 recoveries the Prime Minister, were recorded over that period. Of Hon. John Briceño, the 4 hospitalizations logged, 1 person and some officials needed intensive care. No new death from the Government related to the virus was recorded on of Belize visited that day various healthcare And, on Friday, April 16, 711 tests facilities across the were processed, and 9 new cases country. were identified. Two recoveries were The Ministry of recorded and 3 persons required BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 22, 2021 country of Belize. This past week the Health and Wellness has also launched hospitalization. No new death related The Ministry of Health and Minister of Health and Wellness said a Covid-19 vaccination app. The to COVID-19 was recorded. Wellness is bracing for the third wave that the increased travel and launch of the app was announced on Globally, Latin America continues of Covid-19 infections within the interaction during the Easter holiday April 21. According to Ministry to lead the world in Covid-19-related officials, the app is expected to make deaths despite having a smaller the vaccination process for citizens population than other regions. smoother. Persons will now be able Inequalities in these countries have led to sign up for vaccination using the to both a health and humanitarian app, after which they will receive an crisis, brought on by the Covid-19 approval text message and a pandemic. Leaders of Latin American subsequent appointment date. As countries have recently made a call mentioned, the Ministry hopes that this for a more equitable distribution of app will make the process of getting vaccines among those states. vaccinated easier and thus result in the Across the pond, the UK has banned vaccination of more citizens. the entry of non-UK or Irish residents Since the start of the Covid-19 from India. This is as the new double pandemic, a total of 12,296 cases variant, known as B.1.617, takes hold have been confirmed, and about of the country (India) and begins to 113,007 persons have been tested in spread across the globe. The number the country. At this time, there are of new Covid-19 cases and deaths in currently 102 active cases in Belize, India has been soaring. Recently the and a total of 12,164 recoveries have country has seen the highest number been recorded. To date, a total of 320 of confirmed daily cases worldwide, fatalities due to the virus have been surpassing the USA. recorded, with 211 of the persons who The country will be placed on the passed away being men and 109 UK’s “red list” on Friday, April 23, women. As of Wednesday, April 21, 2021 starting at 4:00 BST. 2021, a total of 37,097 persons have Globally, a total of 143,445,675 been vaccinated countrywide. confirmed cases of COVID-19 have On April 22, 2021, the Ministry of been identified by the World Health Health and Wellness reported a total Organization (WHO). Of that number, of 11 cases from a batch of 726 tests a total of 3,051,736 deaths have been conducted. No additional recoveries reported to the WHO. As of 22nd April were recorded and 5 persons were 2021, a total of 889,990,259 vaccine hospitalized. Unfortunately, the doses have been administered Ministry announced that there were worldwide.

KREM PHONES: OFFICE: 280-4469 IN STUDIO: 280-4299 ON LINE LIVE: www.krembz.com Page 32 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 Medical lab workers say no to pay-cuts

by Dayne Guy proposed salary cuts and increment freezes. Approximately ninety-seven BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr.19, 2021 percent of the members of the ACLSB Medical professionals have now have pledged to support the Joint FOR RENT VACANCY joined the growing group of unions Unions and agreed to take part in that are adamant that the Government industrial action against the current FOR RENT: 2-bedroom house, call 203-5395/673-5395. of Belize must not reduce the salaries administration. In addition, they near the Barracks, 2 bathrooms, VACANCY: Employment of public workers. intend to assist the Joint Unions in cement, fully tiled, security bars, opportunity within the agricultural The ACLSB expressed their discussing cost-cutting measures with fence, sliding gates. For more sector/ general farm employee; disappointment in having to celebrate the Government of Belize. information call: 602-1815. interested candidates must possess a the 2021 Laboratory Professionals Laboratory technologists, who are FOR RENT: Office suite of current police record and be social Week, a week dedicated to the work aware of the critical role they play approximately 315 ft. available. security registered. Call 650-9083 that they do, while being aware of in battling the coronavirus pandemic Suitable for small office in for an appointment. the risk they face of losing income and thus preventing the loss of life, professional environment. Located in due to salary cuts and increment have agreed to lend support whenever the heart of Fort George surround by freezes. A release from the it will not drastically reduce our St. Catherine Academy, Central Bank VACANCY association states, “It is truly with national response to COVID-19. of Belize, Belize Tourism Industry great sadness and disappointment The Association of Clinical Association, Taiwan Embassy, NOTICE: This is to advise that that these Medical Laboratory Laboratory Science of Belize thus Tourist Village, both the Princess the Motor Vessel registration Professionals and the Association of states in their release, “The Medical Hotel and Casino, and Radisson certificate issued by Belize Port Clinical Laboratory Science of Laboratory Scientists/Technologists, Hotel. Last remaining unit. Asking Authority for MV ASHANTI is lost. Belize find ourselves involved in this Laboratory Aides, Phlebotomists and price $3.00 per square foot. For more NOTICE: If drinking is a problem current impasse as it is materializing the Association of Clinical information call or text 629-3162. and the problem is drinking. There is in the midst of Medical Laboratory Laboratory Science of Belize wishes a solution. A group of us who have Professionals Week 2021 to inform the Government of Belize recovered from drugs and alcohol are Celebrations.” and the general public that we are VACANCY here to help. Call 633-2849. The ACLSB believes it is unfair saying a resounding no to salary cuts for those who are risking their lives and an increment freeze, and thus are VACANCY: An employment daily for the greater good of the prepared to make necessary actions opportunity exists for an accountant. LIQUOR LICENSE country, to be punished with the to reflect this decision.” Responsibility includes the supervision and daily monitoring of NOTICE the whole accounting system via QuickBooks. Interested persons are LIQUOR LICENCE NOTICE: Scientists Find How AstraZeneca asked to send resume with related Notice is hereby given that Nikita documents to [email protected] Marin is applying for a Restaurant Vaccine Causes Clots VACANCY: Employment Liquor Licence, to be operated at opportunity. Flowers by Alma is Reggae Café, Luciano Reyes St., looking for a florist that has a minimum Caye Caulker, under the Intoxicating by Brenda Goodman, Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, of 2 years formal work experience in Liquor Licence Ordinance Revised MA — www.webmd.com University Hospital Greifswald, the industry. Interested persons may Edition 2000. Germany, who was among the first April 22, 2021 — Scientists in scientists in the world to link the rare Germany say they’ve worked out the clots to antibodies against a key protein with the rare clotting reactions is that it would hold clinical trials to two-step mechanism by which the in platelets. likely to apply to other vaccines that get more answers about the reactions. AstraZeneca vaccine causes rare but “This is what scientists usually think also use adenoviruses to ferry In his new study, Greinacher and devastating blood clots that gobble up is confirmatory evidence,” he said in a instructions for making the virus’s colleagues describe a series of events the body’s supply of platelets. call with reporters hours after spike protein into cells.“My that has to happen in the body before So far, European regulators have publishing his study as a preprint ahead assumption is, and that’s a hypothesis, the vaccines create these large clots. reported more than 220 cases of of peer review on the Research that this is a class effect of vaccines He explained that while everyone has unusual blood clots and low levels of Square server. using adenovirus,” he said. He added the basic immune machinery that platelets in patients who received the Greinacher said he felt an urgent need that he could not be certain because leads to the unusual clots, it is almost vaccine, called Vaxzevria, which was to get the information out as soon as he only studied reactions to the always kept in balance. The body developed with funding from the U.S. possible. He said his team had worked AstraZenecaAstraZeneca vaccine. uses a series of checks to prevent any government’s Operation Warp Speed around the clock for 5 weeks to get But previous studies have shown that step in the process from getting out program to spur development of a suite answers, “because we are in the middle adenoviruses can cause the type of of control. of vaccines to protect people from of the vaccination campaign. This was platelet activation he saw in the In some cases, however, there’s a COVID-19. AstraZenecaThe the driving force for us and the big reactions he studied. perfect storm where each stage AstraZeneca vaccine has not yet been motivation to provide these data as fast Greinacher said that he had worked progresses to the next and the end authorized for use in the United States. as any other possible,” he told reporters out an agreement with Johnson & result is very hard to control. That “This is, in my opinion, rock-solid on the call. Johnson about an hour before the call autoimmune attack, which causes the evidence,” said Andreas Greinacher, Greinacher said that he believes to collaborate on studying its COVID- body to go into a hyper-clotting state, MD, head of the Institute of the mechanism linking the vaccine 19 vaccine. The company had typically burns itself out after a few previously been unwilling to share weeks. So if patients can get rapid information, he said. The J&J treatment, the condition nearly always vaccine is also adenovirus-based. goes away. BNTU gives notice of strike At least seven cases of the same He said he only knew of one case pattern of unusual clots have been of an autoimmune syndrome like this Continued from Page 1 economic fallout facing the country. documented in people who received lasting 10 years, but that was in a „ The letter goes on to state, “We the one-dose Johnson & Johnson patient who had taken the blood disappointment and dissatisfaction also insist that our government listens vaccine. Over 7 million Johnson & thinner heparin, which can cause a with the Government’s intended to the call of our people and move to Johnson vaccines have been given in nearly identical syndrome. draconian measures of exorbitant immediately address and eradicate the United States so far. This full article can be viewed at: salary cuts and increment freeze for the corrupt practices which have While the reactions are extremely https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/ the next three years,” the letter states. brought us to where we are today.” rare, they can be serious. One person, covid-19-vaccine/news/20210422/ The BNTU is demanding that the The release ends by reiterating the a 45-year-old woman in Virginia, has scientists-find-how-astrazeneca- negotiations between the government union’s willingness to work with its died. That led the CDC and FDA to vaccine-causes-clots and the unions recommence and that the government counterpart to “bring an call for a pause on administering the parties be allowed to find a “workable amicable solution to what can only Johnson & Johnson vaccine last This article was first published by and reasonable solution” to the be referred to as an impasse.” week. The company also announced www.webmd.com Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 33 Page 34 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021 Explained: The significance of Earth Day 2021

Earth Day 2021: This year’s theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.

April 22nd 2021. Today (April 22) is Earth Day, an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection. The year 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations. This year’s theme for Earth Day is ‘Restore Our Earth’. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’. “Recovery from the COVID- 19 pandemic is a chance to set the world on a cleaner, greener, more sustainable path,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Let’s remind more 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote than ever on this International harmony with nature and the Earth KHMH staff might Mother Earth Day that we need a to achieve a just balance among the shift to a more sustainable economy economic, social and environmental that works for both people and the needs of present and future escape salary cuts planet”. generations of humanity. Earth Day was first observed in This day provides an opportunity Continued from Page 9 the formation of the KHMHWU and 1970, when 20 million took to the to raise public awareness around the „ the start of the trust fund. According streets to protest against world to the challenges regarding Blake, stated that the union had sent to Blake, during her meeting with environmental degradation. The the well-being of the planet and all a letter to Hon. John Briceño Prime Minister Briceño, she event was triggered by the 1969 the life it supports. immediately after the announcement reminded him of this MOU as well Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as According to earthday.org, this that public servants would be as of all the hardships the employees other issues such as smog and year’s theme focuses on natural receiving salary cuts. Blake states have endured from the onset of polluted rivers. processes, emerging green that technically the workers of the COVID-19. Blake stated that they For over the next half century, technologies, and innovative KHMH are not considered public then received a document stating that Earth Day continued to play an thinking that can restore the world’s servants “when it is convenient”; the KHMH employees’ subvention important role in environmental ecosystems. however, there was still concern would be cut, which prompted the activism. “In this way, the theme rejects the regarding their status and whether or union to prepare a Covid-19 Cost- The landmark Paris Agreement, notion that mitigation or adaptation not they would be subject to the Cutting document outlining certain which brings almost 200 countries are the only ways to address climate salary cuts. sacrifices that could be made in order together in setting a common target change. It is up to each and every “As you all should know, the to preserve the wages of the to reduce global greenhouse one of us to Restore Our Earth not KHMH workers fall under what is employees. This document was emissions, was signed on Earth Day just because we care about the called a Statutory Body. We are not presented to the Board of the KHMH. 2016. natural world, but because we live deemed public servants when it is Hon. Briceño was apprised of all According to earthday.org, Earth on it. We all need a healthy Earth to convenient. And the KHMH Workers these developments by the Day aims to “build the world’s support our jobs, livelihoods, health Union since 2015 has been in KHMHWU, and he, in response, largest environmental movement to & survival, and happiness. A healthy negotiation and had to clear this pledged to exempt the employees of drive transformative change for planet is not an option — it is a matter, if we are or we are not the KHMH from the salary cut, said people and the planet.” The necessity,” it says. deemed public servants, because if the KHMHWU president. movement’s mission is “to diversify, This year, seven major climate- we are public servants, then like any “In the meeting today, he has educate and activate the related events are taking place in other public servants out there we are acknowledged the MOU. He has environmental movement parallel on April 22, including the deemed pensionable. And we are not acknowledged to review the MOU worldwide.” Leaders’ Summit on Climate hosted pensionable. In fact, about 400 of us that has expired and see the According to the United Nations, by the United States, and the pay 3% of our salaries to what is recommendations that should have International Mother Earth Day is Exponential Climate action Summit called the Employee Provident Trust been followed. They have the cost- celebrated to remind each of us that on Financing the Race to Zero fund, which is a contributary trust cutting document that is up to review the Earth and its ecosystems provide emissions. fund so that we can have something with the Board and the Minister has us with life and sustenance. This Day in case we retire,” Blake explained committed to review it. And they also recognizes a collective This article was first published to the media as she tried to highlight have committed also to us that this responsibility, as called for in the in The Indian Express. some key differences between Government under this Prime employees of the KHMH and other Minister along with the Minister of public workers. Health will try their utmost best to Blake drew attention to the MOU exclude us from the 10% salary cut Our email address for business & advertising is signed by former Prime Minister, Rt. because of all we have presented and Hon. Dean Barrow, in 2015, which all that we have done and keep on [email protected] stated that although the employees of doing at KHMH,” Blake said. the KHMH weren’t public servants, The Prime Minister has also the employees were still entitled to a reportedly stated that he will do his Our email address for news, letters and articles is 14% retroactive compensation under best to ensure that the KHMH [email protected] certain conditions, based on the work employees’ subvention will not be the employees had done. This led to cut. Friday, April 23, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 35 Unions picket House Meeting

Continued from Page 1 that the unified stance of the „ unions should send a clear eyes of police officers on the ground. message to the administration This did not stop them from of the day: “corruption must echoing chants that called for the end be put to an end.” of corruption in government — chants He further stated that the which reverberated even inside the position they are taking is being National Assembly. expressed through peaceful The president of the NTUCB, Luke protest and is necessary for Martinez, granted the media an nation-building. interview, during which he shared “This is a nationalistic movement, nation-building; this is what nation-building is about. We must fight corruption. We are here to defend our property, we are defending our territory, that the 10%, we are defending our wages and we will defend it to the end. It is country’s economic woes. He then statement this morning in which it important for these good governance added that the Ministry of the Public urged the government and unions to issues to be implemented. It’s going Service is within its right to invoke go back to the negotiation table in to save the country millions of section 106(3) of the Constitution, good faith to find a solution. They dollars.” Martinez said during the which gives them the power to fix even offered to act as mediators if interview. salaries, but noted that while they needs be. He said that the unions had may believe that the unions lack funds The NTUCB president remarked expected that by now the Government to take a challenge to the court, they that it is a pity that the government is of Belize would have stopped the are prepared to challenge the not seeing the added economic effects waste of public finances and ended decision in the court of public of the impasse. some of the outright corrupt practices opinion. “It’s a pity the government is failing in government. The members of the “If it is, they believe that they have to realize that the longer we stay in unions were out in numbers as large received the strongest interpretation this deadlock, it is going to have an BCCI says, as could have been permitted, given from the Attorney General’s Ministry effect on the economy, if we decide the Covid-19 regulations. Martinez and they believe that the union that we are going to shut down this resume outlined that the support from across doesn’t have the financial resources country, it is going to cost the the workers groups has been to challenge them in the courts, we government, more than the 80 million tremendous. are prepared to challenge them in the dollars that they are trying to get from negotiations “There is a lot of support. The court of public opinion also, and we us,” Martinez warned. numbers that you see here, absolutely sure that the Belizean people are not He shared that they will not let up Continued from Page 1 the restriction with the SI. Of course, going to let us down,” he said. in their resistance and demand for „ we are in a pandemic, we have to be He further said that illicit good governance reform until the government continues on the current responsible people, public officers, enrichment legislation has to reach discussions take place and legislation path, it “will add more strain to an teachers, APSSM, we are civil all corners of Government, including is enacted. economy already under severe stress.” people. Remember we are civil the public officers who have enriched “We are going to continue to insist The BCCI release stated that with a servants and so we understand that themselves by facilitating corrupt on the good governance discussion. decline of 14% in the economy last we cannot be out here by the hundreds practices in government. We are not going to move away from year, and an expected projected and the thousands. You have seen the “The truth is that a lot of public the good governance discussion, and recovery of only 2% in 2021, both sides unions out here before by the officers are also involved in the if it is that we are going to shut down must be cautious in their decisions hundreds and the thousands when pilfering of government resources. this country to ensure that the good going forward to avoid worsening an there is not a pandemic,” Martinez Some of us are unable to explain our governance discussions are already dire situation. said. wealth. We have very wealthy public materialized...that is what is going “”As we stated earlier this year, He remarked that the removal of officers, and some of them work hand to happen,” vowed Martinez. while the economy may need the 80 million dollars from the economy in hand with some of these Late this evening GOB release a preservation of as much spending would be “tantamount to criminal” unjustifiable actions that occur in this Cabinet brief which outlined,” The power as possible (to help in the speed and expressed the hope that the country,” Martinez highlighted. Minister of the Public Service, of recovery)… it must also be parties can still come to the table to The Belize Chamber of Commerce Constitutional and Political Reform acknowledged that Belize’s fiscal find the best possible remedy for the and Industry (BCCI) released a informed Cabinet that he would fix space is especially constrained,” the the salaries of public officers having BCCI pointed out in its release. “These regard to the deteriorated state of are inescapable realities, the solution Commerce Bight Port public finances and the views and to which cannot be found if negotiations suggestions raised by the Joint break down,” the release stated. Unions.” The Cabinet brief stated. The release said that the BCCI has dispute rages on The Briceno administration is been engaged with leaders from both adamant that they will stick to the sides and believes that a feasible Continued from Page 4 declaration penned by Gobie that proposal set forward March 30th solution can still be arrived at, if „ states that he made an error when he letter but have now offered a grant a negotiations continue in good faith. company’s articles of association. purported to transfer 20,000 shares land credit to those public officers “The BCCI, whose vision is geared The document issued by RSL then of RSL to the Froese brothers’ affected by the cuts. towards ‘promoting economic vitality makes four serious allegations company, Belcaribe Enterprise The brief went on to state, and quality of life in Belize,’ calls on regarding Mejia. In essence they Limited. He shared that on October “complementing the decision of the both the Government and the Unions to claimed that she was complacent in 18, 2019 he transferred the shares in Minister of the Public Service, return to the negotiating table so as to carrying out her duties as the legal contravention of the Articles of Constitutional and Political Reform, resolve the difference and find solutions representative for the company. Mejia Association of the company, Cabinet decided that it would take that not only ‘do no further harm’ to an told 7News that she is prepared to effectively making the transaction null such steps as necessary to grant a already devastated economy but that, sue anyone who publishes the details and void. He said he was later land credit in favour of the affected in fact, address its long-developing ills of those allegations, calling them informed of his mistake. public officers equivalent to 50% of with a view to bringing Belize back to false and libelous. She calls on her Abram Froese is adamant that the the salary adjustment, which credit real sustainable growth,” the BCCI accusers to present written proof of reversal of that transaction was never may be exercisable on the release said. the allegations. effective and is insisting that the acquisition of land from the The release states that the BCCI Annexed to the lengthy release documents at the Companies and government. Cabinet remains remains ready to assist in the mediation issued by the Managing Director of Corporate Affaires Registry will list committed to the points set out in its of a settlement. RSL, Paul Martin, is a written him as a shareholder. letter of 30th March 2021.” Page 36 AMANDALABelize Friday, April 23, 2021