CONTRIBUTION OF THE HON. GILROY USHER

2023/2024 BUDGET DEBATE

Part Three

saying that the increased allocations for the most basic things for a better life in this new budget will indeed make life better for the people in my division as it does for Belizeans in the other thirty divisions across the nation.

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE BELIZE SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND III PROJECT INVITATION FOR BIDS Amendment

and Republication of the notice published on March 24th,2023

Madam Speaker: With only 5% unemployment almost all persons, who are serious about finding a job to care for their loved ones, can succeed in doing so. As I speak the Karl Hauser Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is in urgent needed of several entry level security guards.

Madam Speaker: This administration was able to achieve that remarkable decrease in the rate of unemployment in only two years by introducing policies that motivated local and foreign investors to expand existing businesses and start new ones across the country. The fact that this administration was able to achieve those and many other things in only two years with only two budgets without over $400 million from oil, without over $600 million from PetroCaribe, and without millions of dollars from completely new loans is significant.

Madam Speaker: Those achievements are a remarkable success story of empowering families to overcome the cycle of poverty and crime. They are a remarkable story of helping people to achieve their dreams in life.

Madam Speaker: Those achievements are a remarkable story of making people proud to say “we are Belizeans”, and they are undeniable proof that with Hon. John Briceño as Prime Minister of the country, we have an administration that truly cares about making life better for Belizeans in the cities, towns, and villages throughout the nation. Those achievements for the people were unheard of when the Opposition was in office for 13 years, because they cared only about themselves.

Madam Speaker: As a Minister of State Mark King summed up his party’s philosophy in government best when he proudly stated “This administration is UDPs first.” It was during those dark days of neglect of the people that the then Minister of Works used public officers and government’s heavy duty equipment to improve his large pasture instead of building needed roads for the Belizean people.

Madam Speaker: Brighter days for Belize are ahead in this fiscal year, because with this new budget much more funds are allocated for roads, housing, education, and land for first-time land owners among other things to help free people from poverty.

Madam Speaker: The Budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 was good for the residents of the Port Loyola whom I represent, and I have no hesitation in

Madam Speaker: By using the Community Development Fund (CDC) for Port Loyola in conjunction with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) and the Belize City Council, many streets that were left in the most deplorable condition in the division by the previous government have been upgraded, and funds in the new budget will be used to continue the upgrade of streets in the area including streets in the Jane Usher, Caesar Ridge, and Pen |Road areas of the division.

Madam Speaker: By working closely with Deputy P.M. and Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Cordel Hyde, I have obtained over 125 lots for first-time lands owners in my division. And am happy to say no one is selling his/ her lot. Many of those proud firsttime land owners have already secured titles for their lands and are in the process of building their homes on their properties.

Madam Speaker: This new budget includes funds to make over 10,000 additional lots available for first-time land owners across the country as well as funds for a land clinic in Port Loyola. I am therefore confident that in this new fiscal year, I will be able to assist scores of more persons in Port Loyola to become first-time land owners and resolve many other land issues.

Madam Speaker: It is true that education is the best weapon to overcome poverty. Am therefore thankful to Minister of Education, Hon. Francis Fonseca, for assisting the residents of Port Loyola with a record number of grants for schools fees at the primary, secondary, and tertiary level. Because of this educational assistance, parents have more funds for other important things in the home, and more students are on their way to becoming fully qualified in their chosen careers and builders of the new Belize.

Madam Speaker: In addressing the housing needs of Port Loyola, the Ministry of Infrastructure handed over six starter homes to single mothers of the division. One of the homes is in the Jane Usher area of the division, and five are located at Black Berry Estate, which is a government housing site near Burrell Boom.

Madam Speaker: MIDH also assisted scores of families in Port Loyola with construction materials for home repair after Hurricane Lisa caused tremendous damage to many houses across the division. Residents of Port Loyola can look forward to more housing assistance in this new budget as it includes more funds for starter homes and housing grants.

This new budget also includes funds for the completion of four starter homes in Port Loyola proper. That’s

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The Government of Belize (GOBZ) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to USD$10,000,000 towards the cost of the Belize Social Investment Fund III Project and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under this contract. Payment by CDB will be made only at the request of (GOBZ) and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than (GOBZ) shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development through the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF). BSIF has contracted Consultants who will assist with delivering the project.

BSIF now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the Completion of the Corazon Creek Technical High School Building, Corazon Creek Village, Toledo District, Belize. The works include, but are not limited to the following:

The proposed scope includes the construction of a two storey ferro-concrete building measuring 164’-11” long by 42’-2” wide complete with eight (8) classrooms, two (2) administrative spaces, two (2) male and female students’ bathrooms, two (2) male and female teachers’ lavatories, storage spaces and an access ramp up to the ground floor of the building to accommodate users with disabilities.

Works shall include but not be limited to the following activities: proposed compacted backfill to existing foundation; construction of reinforced concrete ground floor and upper floor slabs; construction of masonry walls; construction of reinforced concrete columns and beams; construction of a reinforced concrete roof; construction of concrete staircases; application of concrete rendering; construction of ceilings; installation of windows and doors; installation of electrical, plumbing, water supply and wastewater systems; application of surface finishes; and the undertaking of landscaping activities. Adherence to the contract’s environmental and safety protocols during construction is of paramount importance.

Consideration will be limited to firms or joint ventures of firms, which are legally incorporated or otherwise organised in, and have their principal place of business in an eligible country and are either: (a) more than 50% beneficially owned by a citizen or citizens and/or a bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country, or by a body corporate or bodies corporate meeting these requirements; or

(b) owned or controlled by the Government of an eligible country provided that it is legally and financially autonomous and operated under the commercial law of an eligible country and otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of the CDB Guidelines for Procurement (2006).

All countries are Eligible.

Eligible bidders will be required to submit full qualification information with their bids establishing their eligibility to bid and qualification to perform the contract if the bid is accepted. Tender and qualification information are to be submitted in the English Language on the prescribed forms inserted in the Bid Documents. Submissions that do not provide the information required, or do not demonstrate the prospective contractor’s ability to perform satisfactorily, will not qualify and will not be considered for further evaluation. Qualification requirements include, inter alia:

(a) an average annual turnover (defined as certified payments received for works in progress or completed) within the last 5 years of at least One Million Four Hundred Thousand Belize Dollars (BZ$1,400,000.00) (US$700,000.00)

(b) a demonstrable cash flow (including access to credit) for One Hundred Fifty Thousand Belize Dollars (BZ$150,000.00) (US$75,000.00)

(c) experience as a prime contractor, joint venture member, management contractor, or subcontractor, of at least four (4) assignments of a nature, scope and complexity comparable to the proposed project activity within the last five (5) years (to comply with this requirement, works quoted should be at least 80 percent complete).

Bidding Documents may be obtained by eligible bidders from the first address below for a non-refundable fee of BZ$150 (USD$75). Requests may be made by written application including email. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Request for Bidding Documents for the Completion of the Corazon Creek Technical High School Building, Corazon Creek Village, Toledo District, Belize.”, along with the name, address and contact information of the bidder for which Bidding Documents are being requested. Payment should be by cash deposited to, or Bank transfer to BSIF’s Bank Account only. Banking details can be requested at the address below. Cash payment will not be accepted at the BSIF Office. Applicants who request that documents be forwarded to them must submit an account number from a local courier agent that accepts freight collect charges. Documents will be promptly dispatched, but under no circumstance will the Government of Belize or their authorised agent be held responsible for late delivery or loss of the documents so transmitted.

Submissions in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Bid for the Completion of the Corazon Creek Technical High School Building, Corazon Creek Village, Toledo District, Belize.”, must be received at the second address below not later than 10:00am (Belize Local Time) on 22nd May 2023 Bid opening will take place immediately after the deadline for submission at the address below in the presence of bidders representatives who choose to attend. Qualification information only must be simultaneously submitted electronically to the third address below.

All bids must be accompanied by a “Bid Security” of: BZ$8,000.00 (USD$4,000.00). Late bids will be rejected. The Government of Belize reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to annul the process and reject all bids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected prospective bidder(s) or any obligation to inform the affected prospective bidder(s) of the grounds for the Government of Belize action. The Government of Belize will not defray any costs incurred by any bidder in the preparation of bids.

1.Address for Correspondence Senior Procurement Officer Social Investment Fund 3rd Floor, #1902 Constitution Drive Belmopan Cayo District Tel: 8220239/822-0508 E-mail: angeles.itzab@sifbelize.org cc: carlos.tun@sifbelize.org kyla. cho@sifbelize.org

3. Email Address for Completed Qualification Information Only Procurement Officer Email: procurement@caribank.org

2. Address for Bid Submission and Bid Opening Social Investment Fund 3rd Floor, #1902 Constitution Drive Belmopan Cayo District Tel: 822-0239/822-0508