7 AUG
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
STATEMENT BY PUP LEADER HON. JOHN BRICEÑO ON THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE EARL Belize City, Thursday, 4th August, 2016 Hurricane Earl is now behind us and while assessments of the extent of the damage and destruction are underway, we are thankful that, so far, there have been no reports of any loss of life directly associated with the hurricane. Early reports show that Belize City and the neighbouring communities were the areas with the greatest damage. Homes were lost, some structures were damaged, farmers lost crop and animals and many families lost their hard earned properties and assets. On some of our Islands and in communities on the Coast, piers were destroyed and beach erosion occurred. In Belize City and in surrounding communities, businesses suffered loss due to high winds and flooding and there is damage to our electrical infrastructure and other important services, mainly in the communities and areas hardest hit. We are confident that the hard working men and women of BEL and our other service providers will do all possible to restore power and services to the affected areas as soon as possible and that the cleanup in the affected areas has started. In times of National Emergencies we are one nation and one people working together for the good of everyone. We in the People’s United Party offer our support and assistance to the Government and to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and will do our part in supporting the recovery efforts. We are also confident that organizations like the Belize Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Religious Organizations and other Social Agencies have already started to provide assistance. We encourage all who are able to support the clean up and recovery effort to do so. We call for calm and cooperation and encourage all Belizeans to work with the police and the other agencies and authorities. We also extend congratulations to the brave men and women of our uniformed services, especially the members of the Belize Defence Force, The Police Department, the Belize Coast Guard and all those essential services providers for their brave and heroic work. Reports of a number of rescue operations, during the height of the storm’s peak, displayed the bravery of our first responders who risked the dangerous elements to rescue Belizeans who were in distress and danger. We also wish to acknowledge and thank the Belizean people for listening to the authorities and following the directives issued by the National Emergency Management Organization. While Hurricane Earl is past, let us remain vigilant, especially those who live in low lying communities and along the banks of our rivers. Extra caution must be taken as we await the rising waters of our rivers, which will no doubt cause more flooding. Belizeans are resilient people, and in times of need we have always helped each other. As with past disasters, we will get through this one together. Homes will be repaired, crop will be replanted and our lives will return to normal. We give thanks, for lives were spared, and we ask for God’s guidance and continued Blessings upon our beloved Belize.
Man chopped to death in Hattieville
Hattieville, Belize District, August 5, 2016 A Guatemalan national has been detained for the vicious chopping murder of 40 year old Goevanni Rosales, who was discovered at his work site with brutal chopping wounds on his arm, should and neck. Rosales and the unnamed suspect were reportedly socialising at their worksite at mile 14 on the George Price Highway in Hattieville Village when a violent altercation started on July 31st. The suspect claims that Rosales charged at him with a knife, so he has to defend himself. In doing so, he picked up a machete and swung at Rosales inflicting deep cuts. The cuts to Rosales’ neck almost demonstrate an attempted beheading. The suspect has been detained for questioning. The Police say they have found the machete that is suspected to have been used as murder weapon. It had blood on it.
07 7
Questions to Ministers!
Will the Prime Minister say when he will appoint an Independent Investigator to investigate the Pastor Llewellyn Lucas murder? Can the Prime Minister confirm reliable reports that his decision to do a Cabinet shakeup followed a conversation with GSU boss Mark Flowers? Can Minister John Saldivar say if he ended his relationship with William Mason in September 2015 as a result of learning that Mason was a conman, then why didn’t he warn his Cabinet colleagues right up to the convention for Deputy Leader? Can Minister John Saldivar say if senior Police Edward Broaster had warned him about William Mason since the Police learnt about his actions since 2014? Can the Minister of Agriculture say if he is on the side of our cane farmers against BSI’s attempt to pass heavy financial losses on their shoulders, or if he is on the side of the rich, foreigners who the UDP gave the sugar industry? Will the Foreign Minister come clean about what agreement he has made with the Guatemalans over Sarstoon and why it is that Guatemalan fishermen are being allowed to rape our waters of fish resources? Can the Minister of NEMO give a comprehensive report on the state of readiness of his Department and why rescue efforts were disorganised and under-resourced throughout the country during the Hurricane Earl?