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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, September 9, 2012
PUP Northern Caucus calls on GOB to support cane farmers August 29, 2012 The Northern Caucus of the People’s United Party (PUP) expresses its full support for the financing request made by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) to the Government of Belize for assistance in controlling the Frog Hopper out break and for the damages brought on by the flooding in the North due to Depression Number 7. Cane farmers in Corozal and Orange Walk are extremely concerned as their fields are being decimated due
to heavy infestations of froghoppers which will have serious adverse effects on sugar cane productivity for the 2012/2013 crop. The control of this pest requires urgent attention as experts forecast that the infestation will expand and intensify in September. The BSCFA and individual cane farmers have already invested and exhausted substantial resources in an effort to control the spread and impact of this pest but additional finances are urgently required to continue the control programs. We remind the relevant authorities
of the negative impact that the recent flooding brought on by the passing of Depression Number 7 has had on cane fields, sugar roads and communities. Our farmers and the people in the North require immediate assistance to normalize their lives as soon as possible. The PUP Northern Caucus calls on the Prime Minister and the Government of Belize to do everything possible to assist this vital industry and the people of Corozal and Orange Walk. (Press Release)
Hon. Jose Mai: waiting for GOB’s olive branch Belize City, September 4, 2012 The past four years have been the worst for the agriculture sector in over a decade. Not only have external pressures created tough challenges for our local producers, but the worst came when our very own decision-makers turned into red plagues on our farmers. That’s just what the UDP has been to poor hardworking farmers. Like plagues, they slowly destroyed certain small industries. Remember when onions were imported from Netherlands? The GMO scandal, the incompetence in getting cattle exportation started? Remember when they imported potatoes from Mexico and rice from elsewhere? Remember when the Mennonite growers from Shipyard chastised the Government for making things so bad for them that they compared the challenges to the days of 1970s. That’s how bad the UDP have made things. The bad news is that the UDP is still in power, and so their hare-brained Ministers are still making decisions. The good news is that the PUP has more muscle now, more men (and women) to stand up to the incompetent UDP when they are screwing up.
Hon. Mai appeared on Vibes Radio Morning Show on Tuesday. Flanked by Albert Vaughan & Marshall Nuñez
And because there have been enough almighty screw-ups already, the PUP has flexed. Several weeks ago, Hon. Jose Mai, who is experienced on the agro-productive sector, schooled the UDP on how to get meaningful results on the agriculture sector at the House of Representative. Hon. Mai had explained that the $23 million for the Agriculture sector is a far cry to what is needed by the industry. Today, Hon. Mai was back on the
offensive as he appeared as the guest on the Vibes Radio Morning Show. He discussed a wide range of issues, from cane farmers to threats in the poultry industry and customs tariffs for the productive sector. Hon. Mai expressed grave concern that the cane farmers of northern Belize have been denied assistance from the Government to offset an estimated $7 million in Continued on page 12
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Rt. Hon. Said Musa calls BWSL to restore Pickstock Apartment water supply September 5, 2012 Mr. Alvan Haynes The CEO Belize Water Services Ltd. 7 Central American Boulevard Belize City Dear Sir For decades the residents of the Pickstock Apartments (off Pickstock Street and Lovely Lane) have been able to access water from a stand pipe which was installed during the administration of our first Prime Minister, the Rt. Honourable George Price. This stand pipe provides an essential service to many poor families in the neighbourhood. And while it is true that from time to time the stand pipe would be vandalized and water wasted, the Office of the Fort George Area Representative has always worked along with the families in the apartments to fix the problem and get the children to understand that water is precious to life and healthy living. Having a stand pipe to provide water in a poor neighbourhood is not unique to the Pickstock Apartments. There are and have been for many years several stand pipes serving the disadvantaged areas of Belize especially on the South Side of Belize City. Last Friday, B.W.S.L. took the arbitrary and misguided action to cut off the water supply from the stand pipe in the Picktstock Apartments. This heartless decision with no regard for the serious terrible consequences to the health and welfare of the people in the area should immediately be reversed. As the Area Representative for these citizens, I am calling B.W.S.L. to act immediately to restore the supply of water at the stand pipe in the Pickstock Apartments. Sincerely, Said W. Musa Area Representative, Fort George
THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR
Alberto Vellos LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST
Chris Williams Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com
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