Sunday, September 1, 2024
In another of her very comprehensive and inspiring monthly reports, Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida, USA, Ms. Janine Sylvester left few stones unturned in her August newsletter in which she summarized for Belizeans in the diaspora as well as those residing in, or visiting the Jewel, the government’s many milestone achievements and accomplishments over the past month alone, and captured the anticipated excitement of our upcoming September celebrations leading up to our 43rd Independence Day on September 21st. And it was a lot.
Indeed, despite the upheavals and controversies inside the Opposition UDP for much of this current PUP government’s term in office, the government has been racing forward with a long list of projects and activities that reflect a bold attempt to make good on as much of their very ambitious PlanBelize manifesto as possible. And they have accomplished much, as Consul Sylvester’s August snapshot illustrates; but like a track athlete in a long race being run at a very fast pace, this PUP government may be showing signs of tiring near the end, and in political jargon that could be due to reckless overconfidence and even arrogance in the presence of a weak and somewhat splintered Opposition, unable to rally significant “legions” in protest of a government action that has engendered major emotional responses from a number of strong union representatives; or perhaps it could be more than that—could it be a creeping impetus from corrupt self-seekers within the party/government, looking to capitalize on the Opposition’s weakness by pushing ahead with a transaction that may have some personal or party political rewards attached, the welfare of Belizeans at large be damned?
Belizeans should all be treated to the very well-structured and informative monthly newsletter coming out of the Consulate of Belize in Florida. Here are some snippets of the highlights of GoB activities in August that she shared:
After introductory pleasantries, including expressions of hope “that you enjoyed your summer with family, get togethers, long beach days and balmy star gazing nights,” and are ready for the “return to the humdrum of back-to-school days and workdays,” the Florida Consul noted that August marked “two important holidays” – August 1st being “ Emancipation Day in Belize, celebrated with a festival in Belize City’s Yabra Green neighborhood by the Eboe Town Festival; And International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on the 23rd, commemorating the anniversary of the slave revolts in Saint-Domingue (Haiti), which would mark a major turning point for enslaved peoples in the Western Hemisphere.”
And, anticipating the excitement of September, and the fact that we Belizeans do have a lot to celebrate, she reminds us that “Truly we are a blessed people and nation”; and “what makes Belize special is that its people live in harmony and peace.” So that, “While the world wages in war stemming from intolerance, hatred and discrimination, Belize has thankfully never had even a skirmish (not counting the Battle of Saint George’s Caye, when no casualties were recorded), much less a civil war.”
The newsletter is indeed worthwhile reading. But on to the GoB milestones in August alone, she first noted the P.M.’s actions: meeting “with the president and director of the Belize Red Cross to renew their commitment to working with the government to respond to natural disasters;” being “ present at the launch of a women’s animation boot camp sponsored by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), meant to foster women in art and allow for opportunities for employment and empowering families” and at “the launch of the Belize Economic Empowerment Project (BEEP), a pro-small business incentive providing business skills, financial literacy, and digital capabilities trainings;” and in Dangriga for “the opening of the Dangriga Multipurpose Park and the groundbreaking of the new Commerce Bight Port, a deepwater port just outside of Dangriga Town;” and leading “a delegation to Guatemala City at the invitation of H. E. President Bernardo Arévalo … to strengthen the trade and government relations between the two countries.”
Meanwhile, his wife, Special Envoy, Rossana Briceño was “co-hosting a consultation session aimed at ending child marriage in Belize alongside the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC) and the National Women’s Commission;” and she also “hosted the official signing ceremony for the ‘Engaging Men and Boys to Advance Gender Equality and Help Prevent Gender-Based Violence’” project.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the best and brightest of Belize’s youth during the Belize Youth Dialogue on the Summit of the Future …”, the newsletter also reported.
It went on to mention, “This month, we highlight a great Belizean worthy of the title: Ms. Althea Leslie …”; and “Another Belizean is making waves this month, as Belizean-born composer Errollyn Wallen CBE was appointed Master of the King’s Music …” in the U.K.
The newsletter continued, “Under ‘GoB Movers and Shakers’, please read about how the various government ministries have embarked on several intriguing projects to better the lives of everyday Belizeans,” and then it goes on to list some of them, including “a project spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics and E-Governance that provides pig farmers with Pico Solar kits to promote renewable energy and sustainable farming practices.” It also listed others: “The National Climate Change Office has announced this last week of August as Belize Climate Week 2024 to inspire actionable climate solutions across Belize to preserve our Jewel for generations to come;” “The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing inaugurated the completed upgrade works on the Banana Bank-Farmers Express Road …;” and The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Technology inaugurated “the Belize Music Project”. And it goes on with more details and highlights. (It failed to mention what has become the most controversial step of GoB in August, the purchase of private land for a new hospital in Belmopan.)
In Belize, what looked like a stellar achievement (and it may still be), the launching of the Saudis-sponsored UB hospital project, has been met with some controversy following the announced $6.9 million purchase by GoB of a privately owned, different plot of land than was originally earmarked on UB property, which came without any price tag. After representatives of the NTUCB and member unions including CWU, BNTU and PSU as well as some prominent activists came out swinging in protest against the expenditure and GoB’s change of plan, and a GoB press conference had tried to explain the pros and cons that led to their decision, the matter has not died. This week, two email letters from diasporan activists Mario Lara and Aria Lightfoot have been circulating on social media, where they pose some relevant and constructive questions to both the Auditor General and the Contractor General concerning the process of the land purchase. Although, following last Friday’s protest outside his Belmopan office, P.M. Briceno had dismissed the criticisms and proclaimed that the transaction was already done and we needed to “move on”, the questions by Mario Lara and Aria Lightfoot may strike a chord of discomfort for the government at this time, but they should not be ignored.
Perhaps the GoB has been moving too fast, and figured there would not be a problem. If so, that carelessness will need some fixing and maybe some “mea culpas”, if they are not to suffer some damage to their political craft in the journey ahead to general elections. Lara’s and Lightfoot’s questions need some answers or explanations. Will GoB admit some fault in the process and “baeg paadon”; or will they, in light of an Opposition in shambles, just “move on” and take the road of arrogance, which was once the undoing of “that other crowd”?