We’ve got it all wrong in Belize. And it is time for our economics experts to speak out, “spill the beans,” if you will. “The king is naked,” and it’s about time he put on some clothes.
I’m talking about the viruses, the leeches, that are sucking away, devouring all the life fluids of the Belizean economy. I’m talking about telecommunications and electricity, two of the vital “engines” of development.
How often have we heard of investors changing their minds about setting up industries in Belize because utility costs, meaning operational costs, are too high?
Now, everybody needs utilities. Every production enterprise needs power and communications. Without power you can’t do anything; and without communications you can’t get anything done.
Now, let’s pick sense from nonsense. Utilities – power and communications, electricity and telephones — these things are essential by law, vital for the growth and survival of every other enterprise that produces the necessary goods and services in our country’s economy.
These essential utilities used to be provided by the government. They were then sold to private entities.
The rest of us are now a captive market for these utility companies. The P.U.C. (Public Utilities Commission) was supposedly set up by the past government to regulate these utilities. But for years the PUC did nothing, under the last administration. The PUC under the new administration and its new chairman, has been trying to bring the utility companies “to heel”, but with great resistance from these utility companies.
The least risky business is in these essential utilities which are virtual monopolies. They are guaranteed successes.
Other business ventures are not guaranteed success. It is a battle and a struggle to survive in this world of competition. Some “make it” after a few years; some don’t.
Presently, many businesses are barely surviving in this global recession. Many have lain off employees to try to remain viable.
The utilities are maintaining rates that not only allow them to survive, but are making huge profits. This is absurd; ridiculous.
The utilities, which are vital for the survival of all other enterprises, should make the bare minimum of profit, because their survival is guaranteed. That way, with lower utility costs, all other businesses, services and production enterprises can do better; it’s as simple as 1 + 1 = 2. Besides, all citizens can keep more of their money in their pockets to spend with other goods and service providers for food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, entertainment, etc.
Fifteen percent (15%) guaranteed profits for essential utilities that are monopolies is criminal, from a common sense and moral standpoint; but it is legal, because their “friends” in the last administration set it up that way.
We need changes, serious changes in the way we think in this country. The PUC is trying, but they have limitations within the law drafted by the past administration to feather the beds of their friends and cronies.
Someone once talked about a “peaceful, constructive Belizean revolution.” We need to have a “revolution” in Belize, to set things right, in this and many other areas – education for industry and environmental sustainability; health care and social welfare; agriculture, arts and sports development for world export; immigration policy and land security, etc. etc.
Right now, our society is anything but “peaceful”. But if “constructive” changes are made in our laws dealing with these absurdities, starting with our utilities, perhaps such a “revolution” can help to bring some hope to the hopeless, and re-awaken the potential for progress, peace and love in our blessed Belizean communities.