Belize Times January 23, 2022- Faber Faces Criminal Charges

The Belize Times

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23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

Established 1957

23 JANUARY 2022 | ISSUE NO: 5284

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.facebook/belizetimes | $1.00

FABER FACING

CRIMINAL CHARGES Attempt to Cover up: The UDP in Shambles

Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber to be charged for Damage to Property and Assault. According to the Commissioner the police sought LOO Faber at his Ladyville house and Faber was not there. Faber who has well documented precedent for this type of behaviour makes it easy for there to be credibility to what he is calling rumour and private.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams: (When)” Faber is brought in, he will be treated similarly to anyone who faces similar charges and will not be specifically embarrassed: he will be given his charges, brought to court, arraigned, offered a plea and dealt with the same as in any other case. Faber will be ar-

rested as that is part of police procedure; if he attempts to leave the country, the Police will be on their toes at the Airport and other points of entry, though the Commissioner doesn’t believe he would go that far.

It was reported that there was intense pressure on Dr. Arnold, Faber’s Fiancée to recant. Police commissioner was clear that: “I know for a fact that all day yesterday and today, she has been under extreme pressure from many different quarters, trying to con-

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Restructuring the Court System - AG Speech at the Opening of the New Legal Year 2022

ECLAC PROJECTS 6.2% GROWTH IN 2022

Special Envoy Meets with Key Ministries

Hybrid Learning Schools are Ready

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UDP SHADOW CABINET JUMPS INTO DARKNESS Pg. 5

USE YOUR MASK PROPERLY WHEN IN PUBLIC; SANITIZE; VACCINATE, IT SAVES LIVES.

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23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

LOO FABER FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES Cabinet Brief

Belmopan. 20th January 2022. 9:00 a.m.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on 18th January 2022.

• Cabinet was updated on the status of vaccinations and the number of vaccines available in Belize. Currently, there are more than 338,000 vaccines on hand. As of 17th January 2022, 212,080 persons or 49.3 percent of the total population had received at least one dose of the vaccine and 201,930 or 46.9 percent of the total population has been fully vaccinated. Additionally, over 24,905 booster shots have been issued to date. Also, 24,683 Belizeans, aged 12 to 17 years old, have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

• The Minister of Education, Culture, Science & Technology informed Cabinet that as of January 17, 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) has approved the transition to hybrid learning for a total of 568 schools which represent 94 percent of all schools nationwide. Of the 568 approved schools, 402 schools are open for hybrid learning. This figure represents 71 percent of the approved schools or 66 percent of all schools. Two hundred three schools are open for remote learning and these schools account for 34 percent of all schools.

• The Minister of Education, Culture, Science & Technology also informed Cabinet that the safety of Belize’s education community remains the ministry’s top priority. Alongside personnel from the Ministry of Health & Wellness, MoECST are monitoring schools closely for any potential outbreaks of the coronavirus. Between 10th to 17th January, the ministry has, via its COVID-19 Reporting System, received confirmation of 313 cases of COVID-19 affecting teachers and 456 cases of COVID-19 affecting students, nationwide. Of the 313 cases affecting teachers, only 33 were recorded among teachers who were actively engaging in hybrid learning. When compared to cases among students, out of the 456 cases confirmed, 67 were confirmed among students who were actively engaging in hybrid learning. The cases recorded among teachers affected 1.4 percent of teachers actively engaging in hybrid learning. Among students, the rate was even lower, with cases affecting only 0.27 percent of all students actively engaging in hybrid learning.

• Cabinet gave its approval for a bill to be introduced at the next sitting of the House of Representatives to amend the Indictable Procedures Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Belize to add offences, which are to be tried by a judge alone and for pleas to be taken virtually. This is being done in an effort to address various issues arising from jury trials offences and to seek to clear the backlog of pending criminal matters. The offences to be added are abduction of a child, sexual offences, offences under the trafficking in persons and offence under the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (Prohibition) Act.

• Cabinet also gave its approval for the introduction of legislation for the repeal and replacement of the Libel and Defamation Act and will seek the approval of the National Assembly to strike a balance between the prosecution of the reputation of an individual and the freedom of speech and expression and to modernize the law of the tort of libel and slander.

• Cabinet gave its approval for Belize to apply for Non-Contracting Party Status of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization (SPRFMO) to allow for Belize flagged vessels to fish in the Southern Pacific Ocean region.

• In an effort to reduce the upsurge in traffic accidents on the nation’s major roads and highways and to improve enforcement and vigilance, approval was granted by Cabinet for the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Transport to increase the Department of Transport Enforcement Unit by increasing the number of enforcement officers and the vehicle fleet that patrol all highways in Belize.

• Cabinet gave its approval for legislative changes to the Money Lenders Act and Money Lenders Regulations for improved transparency and accountability as well as to strengthen entry barriers for new and existing money lenders.

• Finally, in the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 infections, the presence of the highly contagious Omicron variant and the continued presence of the Delta variant, Cabinet continues to encourage the public to wear masks in public, maintain physical distance, wash hands regularly, and for those not fully vaccinated, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccines save lives.

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vince her not to pursue the matter, and she has so far stood her ground, that she is going to pursue the matter, and so we go with what she wants.”

It is easy to question what UDP Secretary General Carol Babb was doing at the Police Station at the same time Wednesday.

Was she applying said pressure?

Carol Babb is known to be a rabid Faber supporter.

All the anger management therapy was as expected…for naught, it was a show. Last May 2021, Faber was caught emulating Flash as he sped towards a door just closed by the mother of his child. The viral video showed Faber is a frenetic rage which ended in the abuse of the Belizean people who got to swallow UDP’s worse of the glitter-less Shyne as Leader of the Opposition.

Now another viral video, shows Faber’s Leader of the Opposition taxpayers’ vehicle parked at the Queen Street police station. The story circulating was that Faber’s fiancée had the vehicle temporarily in her possession as she had to flee from an allegedly hammer-wielding Patrick Faber. With the passage of hours of Thursday, the indication was that the story was for real and that Faber has indeed showed his Faber fangs once more to abuse of a woman. This one was not

his wife nor mother of his child.

She was a medical doctor who had been seen publicly with him.

All that seemingly did not matter to him: Precedent, Therapy, New Commitment, the Belizean people.

This time he allegedly destroyed a laptop and hit on his fiancée’s hand with a hammer.

Patrick Faber Leader of the Opposition which is UDP got a warrant issued for his arrest to face charges of most likely Damage to Property and Assault. He might turn himself in but that does not assuage the charge.

The UDP is in political smithereens. If they were the government, they would be asked for new elections. But alas, they already are a damaged few that are politically extinct. They are not worthy of not even being Belize’s opposition. It is not even about Faber it is a collective culture within the UDP. All the UDP members of the House have some good reason why they do not belong leading Belizeans. It is a sad day for Faber and his fiancée. It is an even sadder day for Belize but we will move forward. We have lots to look forward to with John Briceño and the PUP.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo EDITOR

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Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD.

Did UDP SG Carol Babb go to the police station to pressure the alleged victim to keep quiet?

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23 JAN

2022

THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL Belizean Pudding!

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021 was about stopping the haemorrhaging of our economy. It also addressed the closing of the leaks, better handling of our balance of trade and focused on reducing the overwhelming national debt ratio threatening to devalue our currency and send us into a financial catastrophe. This PUP government had to act decisively and quickly. They first had to address the severity of the pandemic and the numbers which were already breaking the fragile health system which was inherited from the previous administration. The then Minister of Health, Hon Chebat and his team quickly assessed and rectified the insufficiency of the supply of vaccines in the country. The rollout and supply of vaccines and boosters have been unparalleled in the region. This allowed the country to ease restrictions and establish health and safety protocols that made possible the opening of the economy. Soon after travel restrictions were eased and slowly the Tourism Industry began to revive. The Agriculture Sector long ignored and abandoned had been during the worst of the pandemic, the lifeline of many displaced workers. As a result, this sector saw unprecedented growth especially in the cattle industry as the exportation process has been regularized.

The pandemic brought many challenges, but it also ushered in many opportunities.

Belize has taken advantage of one of those opportunities and has seen the unprecedented growth of its BPO (business processes outsource) sector. The Office of the Prime Minister held its first ever Investment Summit last year and hit an immediate home run. Under the theme “Belize is Open for Business,” the summit managed to bring important international investment interests to our shores. This can only mean that investor confidence is high in Belize, and this again is a strong indicator that the country is not only on the rebound but poised to take off in this second year. The International Monetary Fund has admitted that Belize has surpassed all expectations with their Home-Grown Recovery Plan. The construction sector has also recovered very quickly, and these are signs of a sound and robust economy on the rise.

In 2022, Belize, already in recovery mode, will spread its wings. The estimated GDP growth is a vigorous 6.2 according to ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) projections. This means that already the growth projected for Belize is above the average of our regional counterparts. Our economy will continue to grow and flourish in great part due to the investor confidence ushered in by the change in leadership.

The PM Hon. John Briceño is not afraid to make tough calls and does not shy away from difficult situations or decisions. He is also able to take advice and listen to his people. What to some may seem very strange, simply because they have never experienced it before, is that we have a PM that is attentive to the needs of the country. Hon. John Briceño brings his own brand of leadership, he knows that changing conditions and the volatile economic climate demand resilient and adaptive responses. Already there are plans to bring back some relief from the ten per cent cutback to the public sector. The proof of the pudding is in the eating they say. All the tangible proof of the effective leadership of this government and the Hon. John Briceño is in the blossoming Belizean economy.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

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23 JAN

2022

en Español

¡Pudín Beliceño!

l año 2021 se trataba sobre detener la hemorragia de nuestra economía. También abordaba el cierre de las fugas, una mejor gestión de nuestra balanza comercial y se centraba en reducir la abrumadora proporción de deuda nacional que amenazaba con devaluar nuestra moneda y enviarnos a una catástrofe financiera. Este gobierno del PUP tenía que actuar con decisión y rapidez.

En primer lugar, tuvo que hacer frente a la gravedad de la pandemia y a las cifras que ya estaban quebrando el frágil sistema sanitario heredado de la administración anterior. El entonces ministro de Salud, el Hon Chebat, y su equipo evaluaron y rectificaron rápidamente la insuficiencia del suministro de vacunas en el país. El despliegue y suministro de vacunas y refuerzos no ha tenido parangón en la región. Esto permitió al país suavizar las restricciones y establecer protocolos sanitarios y de seguridad que hicieron posible la apertura de la economía. Poco después se suavizaron las restricciones a los viajes y, poco a poco, la industria del turismo empezó a resurgir. El sector agrícola, ignorado y abandonado durante mucho tiempo, había sido durante lo peor de la pandemia el salvavidas de muchos trabajadores desplazados. Como resultado, este sector experimentó un crecimiento sin precedentes, especialmente en la industria ganadera, al regularizarse el proceso de exportación.

La pandemia trajo consigo muchos retos, pero también dio paso a muchas oportunidades.

Belice ha aprovechado una de esas oportunidades y ha visto el crecimiento sin precedentes de su sector de BPO (externalización de procesos empresariales). La Oficina del primer ministro celebró el año pasado su primera Cumbre de Inversión y consiguió un éxito inmediato. Bajo el lema “Belice está abierto a los negocios”, la cumbre consiguió atraer importantes intereses de inversión internacional a nuestras costas. Esto sólo puede significar que la confianza de los inversores es alta en Belice, y esto es de nuevo un fuerte indicador de que el país no sólo está en recuperación, sino que está preparado para despegar en este segundo año. El Fondo Monetario Internacional ha admitido que Belice ha superado todas las expectativas con su Plan de Recuperación Nacional. El sector de la construcción también se ha recuperado muy rápidamente, y estos son signos de una economía sólida y robusta en ascenso.

En 2022, Belice, ya en modo de recuperación, desplegará sus alas. El crecimiento estimado del PIB es de un vigoroso 6,2 según las proyecciones de la CEPAL (Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe). Esto significa que ya el crecimiento proyectado para Belice está por encima de la media de nuestros homólogos regionales. Nuestra economía seguirá creciendo y floreciendo, en gran parte gracias a la confianza de los inversores que ha generado el cambio de liderazgo. El primer ministro, John Briceño, no tiene miedo de tomar decisiones difíciles y no rehúye las situaciones ni decisiones difíciles. También es capaz de aceptar consejos y escuchar a su gente. Lo que para algunos puede parecer muy extraño, simplemente porque nunca lo han experimentado antes, es que tenemos un PM que está atento a las necesidades del país.

El Honorable John Briceño aporta su propia marca de liderazgo, sabe que las condiciones cambiantes y el volátil clima económico exigen respuestas resistentes y adaptables. Ya hay planes para devolver al sector público un poco de alivio del recorte del diez por ciento. Dicen que la prueba del pudín está al comerla. La prueba tangible del liderazgo eficaz de este Gobierno y del Honorable John Briceño está en el florecimiento de la economía beliceña.

23 JAN

05 5

THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

UDP SHADOW CABINET JUMPS INTO DARKNESS Is it of coincidence that Stephen Duncan is jumping from the shadows of the UDP into the darkness just as the going is getting tough—as his leader is being sought by police? The last time he exited the UDP in February of 2020 the UDP government was embroiled in another of their financial scandals.

One will recall that this was just after when Barrow government had “oops” spent 1.5Billion of the people’s money without parliamentary approval and this unconstitutionally.

This time the mysteriously embattled ex-Senator has what appears to be a screen shot from a Shadow chat group. This paper has long warned the public of the existence of fake UDP profiles so a shadow chat group is not too much out of the realm of remnant UDP corruption. The screen shot nonetheless affords the public more questions than answers. Such has been the reality of the UDP. The UDP was ousted from government now for 14 months and there has not been an iota of an apology from the UDP for terrorizing the nation for 13 years. Much less have there been resignations for the seats gained by electioneering and deceiving the Belizean people.

Who is Stephen Duncan? He has kept himself as a quiet UDP and one who is not accountable to the people since he has never even tried to be elected. At least Peyrefitte has tried to be elected but rejected multiple times.

Is it coincidence that Duncan is running due to the Faber addiction to domestic issues going public? Duncan was Faber’s shadow man in Finance. It must have been excruciating trying to shadow PM Briceño whose shining light on Belize’s finances has been brilliant and please let me emphasize to stellar and gaining brilliance.

The extinction of the UDP is now an afterthought. Belize is witnessing the burial.

Belize will move forward working to rebuild itself with the kind work of planBelize and its stewards.

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PUBLIC AUCTION SALE – APARTMENT COMPLEX PUBLIC AUCTION SALE – APARTMENT COMPLEX No. 13 Mex Avenue, Belize City, Belize District

No. 13 Mex Avenue, Belize City, Belize District

BY ORDER of the Receiver, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling

via belizepropertyauctions.com the following property. Sale currently running and will expire Monday

BY ORDER ofONLINE the Receiver, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizeproper7th February 2022 at 10:30 am. tyauctions.com the following property. Sale currently running and will expire Monday 7th February 2022 at 10:30 am.

REGISTRATION SECTION REGISTRATION SECTION

BLOCK PARCEL BLOCK PARCEL Albert/Mesop 4 919 (Being two residential apartment buildings: a.) Two Storey mixed Albert/Mesop 4 5construction Apartment 919 Building containing Ground Floor: 1 two-bedroom apartment + 1 fully furnished room; First Floor – 3-bedroom (Being two residential apartment a.) Two Storey mixed construction Apartment Building containing apartment b.) Fivebuildings: Storey mixed construction Apartment Building containing 2 apartments on GroundGround Floor, Floor: 1 two-bedroom apartment + 1 fully furnished room; First Floor – 13-bedroom b.)Third Five Storey Apartment Building containing 2 apartments First Floor & Second Floor + 4-bedroom apartment Apartment on Floor + mixed Terraceconstruction on Fourth Floor TOGETHER lotFloor [470.700 S. M.] Floor situate+at1No. 13 Mex Avenue, Belize Belize the freehold property on Ground Floor,with First & Second 4-bedroom Apartment onCity, Third FloorDistrict, + Terrace on Fourth Floor of TOGETHER with lot [470.700 S. Leonel Belize Cardona) M.] situate at No.Mr. 13 Marvin Mex Avenue, City, Belize District, the freehold property of Mr. Marvin Leonel Cardona) TERMS: STRICTLY CASH TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 223-4488 CASTILLO TELEPHONE Website: belizepropertyauctions.com Website: belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com FaceBook: Belize Auctions

FaceBook: Belize Auctions

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Development of an Emergency Plan Template for Tour Operators The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a consultant to develop an emergency plan template for tour operators in Belize, and to carry out training on the use of the template with tour operators.

Application Interested persons should submit a proposal based on the terms of reference (accessible via contact below), complete with: Full Curriculum Vitae (with two professional references); Proposed work schedule and description of approach/methodology for performing the assignment.

Demonstrated knowledge of skills in similar activities, and stakeholder participation techniques; as well as strong communication, documentation and presentation skills A technical proposal should be submitted to include at minimum the proposed approach to be taken to execute the consultancy, evidence of stakeholder participation, timeline and budget for completion.

Proposals should not exceed 10 pages in length (exclusive of CV and references).

Minimum Qualifications & Experience A minimum of five (5) years of experience in Emergency Response/Disaster/Risk Management and Plan Development or related field; A minimum of two (2) years of experience in Tourism Related Operations

Submit Electronically to: Mrs. Bernadette Ellis Bernadette.Ellis@belizetourismboard.org Labeled Re: Emergency plan template Any questions please submit to Bernadette.Ellis@belizetourismboard.org

Deadline: January 28th 2022 | 5:00 p.m.

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23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: AIRCRAFTS BritishPUBLIC Aerospace BAE 125 800 A SN 25806; Piper AIRCRAFTS Chyenne Turbo Prop AUCTION SALE: e Asset & Utilities Unit, Ministry of Finance, Government Belize, Licensed British Aerospace BAE 125 800 A SN 25806; Piperof Chyenne Turbo Prop A. Castillo is selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the of below

BY ORDER of the Asset & Utilities Unit, Ministry of Finance, Government Belize,described Licensed rrentlyAuctioneer running Kevin and will expireisWednesday 2ndvia February 2022 at the timesthe shown A. Castillo selling ONLINE belizepropertyauctions.com belowon the described aircrafts. Sales currently running and will expire Wednesday 2nd February 2022 at the times shown on the website.

1. British Aerospace BAE 125 800 A SN 258061:

2022

NOTICE

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE TREASURY BILLS ISSUE NUMBER 2/2022 Tenders are invited for an issue of Government of Belize Treasury Bills. The amount of the issue will be $64,391,800.00.

The Bills will be issued in electronic form only evidenced by an electronic book entry in the Central Securities Depository of the Central Bank of Belize in multiples of $200 and will be repayable at par 91 days after issue. They will be issued on Tuesday, 25 January 2022 and will be redeemed on Tuesday, 26 April 2022.

2.

Piper Chyenne Turbo Prop

Each tender must be for $200 or a multiple of $200 and must specify to five decimal places the amount, which is offered for each one hundred dollars face value of the Bills sought.

Members of the public who wish to participate in the auction must submit their bid to the Central Bank of Belize electronically or at the designated drop off box no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, 21 January 2022.

Terms of Sale: Terms of Sale:

The Auction in the Central Securities Depository System (CSD) will be opened from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Tuesday, 25 January 2022.

are for Cash fts are being sold ‘As Is’ 1. Terms are for Cash Successful bidders should arrange to settle via the Automated Payment & ng by appointments only 2. Aircrafts are being and soldUNABLE ‘As Is’ to fly Securities Settlement System of Belize (APSSS). fts are NOT LICENSED 3. Viewing appointments only submit their valid identification to be vetted by The ticipate in theseby sales, bidders’ MUST missioner of Police the sale.

Bank: Central Bank of Belize 4. Aircrafts are prior NOTtoLICENSED and UNABLE to fly tions5.of Sales for the aircrafts are available on request.

Account: GLICORP0402627 To participate in these sales, bidders’ MUST submit their valid identificaTERMS: STRICTLY CASH tion to be vetted by The Commissioner of Police prior to the sale.

KEVIN A. CASTILLO The Government of Belize reserves the right to accept or reject any and/ 6. Conditions of Sales for the aircrafts are available on request.

TELEPHONE 223-4488 or all tenders in whole or in part.

Website: belizepropertyauctions.com TERMS: STRICTLY CASH E-mail: belizeauctionsales@gmail.com CENTRAL BANK OF BELIZE KEVIN A. CASTILLO Face Book: Belize Auctions

TELEPHONE 223-4488 Website: belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: belizeauctionsales@gmail.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

CARTOON

Notices are placed on Central Bank of Belize Website (www.centralbank. org.bz) 6 January 2022

23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

OPENING SPEECH NEW LEGAL YEAR 2022

By Attorney General Magali Marin-Young, SC Introduction

Your Excellency, Ms. Froyla Tzalam, Governor General of Belize, Her Ladyship Minet Hafiz Bertram, Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Her Ladyship Michelle Arana, Acting Chief Justice of Belize, Justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Your Honour Ms. Sharon Frazer, Chief Magistrate and other Magistrates, Madam Solicitor General, Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Registrar of the Supreme Court, Commissioner of Police, Learned Senior Counsel of the Inner Bar and Learned Counsel of the Outer Bar, Superintendent of Prison, Members of the Clergy, Commissioners of the Supreme Court, Justices of the Peace, Members of the General Registry, Magistracy, and the Attorney General’s Ministry, Representatives of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen.

As we open the New Legal Year 2022, we take with us many lessons learnt in 2021, in having to adjust to the new normal that COVID 19 has forced us to accept and having made many sacrifices as a result of the financial crisis with public finances. But in 2021, we showed resilience. We demonstrated that we are law abiding people and that we can turn things around, despite our challenges, and, that as a country we can overcome anything.

Taking Stock It’s been one year in office and I have been able to get a proper assessment of the extent of the neglect and the many challenges facing my ministry and the judiciary.

Despite the austerity measures that the government had to implement in 2021, the government was able to find resources to repair two magistrate court buildings in Dangriga and Independence, which were woefully neglected and in serious disrepair, with mold infested walls, ceilings caving in, and bathrooms in unhygienic condition unfit for human use. The government intends to build a new magistrate court building in Orange Walk District and to repair the ones in the City of Belmopan and elsewhere.

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission has recently approved the appointment of four new magistrates to add to the complement of magistrates, and it is hoped that matters will move a little faster in this Court than before. Through the assistance of Impact Justice, a situational analysis of the magistracy is being conducted and should be completed shortly, which will enable the government to identify the areas in that Court that need to be reformed to improve the delivery of justice to ensure that justice is de-

livered not only in a timely manner, but in a professional, humane and dignified manner.

The Family Court is currently housed in a building ill-suited for such a Court, with no parking facilities and which, quite frankly, appears to be a fire trap with persons crammed into the limited space and a narrow stairwell for an escape. Luckily, the Family Court is soon to be relocated to the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building, where there will be adequate parking and more room for that Court to operate professionally, and for the creation of several mediation facilities. Additionally, through the assistance of UNDP’s Spotlight Initiative, software is being developed that will facilitate the collection and expeditious payment of child maintenance and also allow for better case management of that Court. This software is scheduled to be fully implemented this year.

When I assumed office, the Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Acting President of the Court of Appeal reported that their respective court rooms and chambers had leaking roofs that judges’ chambers were moldy and some infested with woodlice. We have now secured what was formerly called the National Bank Building on Regent Street, to relocate the Court of Appeal and several offices for the Supreme Court, to enable us to conduct repairs on the current buildings of that Court. In 2021, we were able to secure the Apex Attache software for both Courts to allow for online filing of court documents and online payments for court filings.

We intend to fully acquire other Apex software once we have secured the necessary video recording hardware to have trials fully video-recorded and to use video and audio recordings as transcripts. With the assistance of international partners, several court rooms in the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court were outfitted with video cameras to allow for the continuation of trials in that division.

In 2019, three judges had resigned from the Criminal Division and two had retired from the Civil Division. I therefore found a Supreme Court ex-

periencing a shortage of judges in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions. We have in the interim secured the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat for four temporary judges who are scheduled to arrive this month to assist with the backlog of cases in both the Civil and the Criminal Divisions. With their help, we are hoping to clear the backlog of cases and to enable this Court to have judges appointed on a permanent basis, once we have restructured the judiciary.

For the Court of Appeal, we were able to appoint three itinerant judges to that Court, all prominent Queen’s counsels in private practice from the region, namely Madame Justice Marguerite Woodstock Rile, Madam Justice Sandra Minott-Phillips, and Mr. Justice Peter Foster. The Court of Appeal was therefore able to resume the hearing of appeals and to hand down decisions of outstanding court matters. We intend very shortly to add more itinerant and resident judges to that Court to enable it to catch up with the backlog.

In the long term, the government fully intends to commence the construction of the judicial complex to provide adequate spatial area for the entire court system to operate with larger court rooms all having state of the art technology. This, Madam Acting Chief Justice, we hope to commence as soon as the economy fully rebounds and we have securely overcome the fiscal crisis. With Omicron on the horizon, we still have a ways to go before we see the light at the end of the tunnel, but there is hope on the horizon.

While we are addressing some of the infrastructural issues, there is much more that needs to be done in the area of reform. Admittedly, not much has improved as yet in terms of the speed of the delivery of justice, but we have used this first year to work on various legislative reforms to restructure the judiciary and we hope to start the consultation process on those legislative reforms very shortly.

As I had signaled at last year’s opening of the Court’s legal year, the government had promised in its manifesto to restructure the court system. Firstly, it is proposed that the Supreme Court is to be renamed as Belize’s High Court, since it is a misnomer to call it the “Supreme Court” when it is not our apex court. Under a newly restructured Court of Appeal and a new High Court, there is to be a Chief Justice, whose judicial function is to be re-casted to administratively supervise the performance of all High Court and Court of Appeal judges and allowing for him or her to sit on either

07 7 court from time to time in important matters of his or her choosing. Other countries in the region have restructured their court systems along these lines, such as the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the Barbados Supreme Court which comprises both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, and the Trinidad and Tobago High Court and Court of Appeal. In these jurisdictions there is one judicial leader for both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, namely a Chief Justice.

Similarly, under the proposed restructuring, there is to be one judicial leader, namely the Chief Justice, who will head both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, and will be assisted by two Senior High Court judges, one in the Civil Division and the other in the Criminal Division. In the Civil Division, there is to be a Public and Administrative Law Division, a Family and Trust Law Division, and a Commercial Law Division. The Chief Justice will continue to chair the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, but as chair, will ensure that matters are dealt with efficiently. That officeholder will be the person who provides the administrative and legal leadership for both courts.

We currently have persons acting as Chief Justice and as President of the Court of Appeal, and the only reason for this, Madam Acting Chief Justice, is because we have had to take our time to analyse the proposed restructuring of the judicial system and the legal drafters at the Attorney General’s Ministry have been busy working on a Senior Courts Bill, for which we hope to start consultations very shortly.

After the consultations, we hope to table the Bill and to then appoint a Chief Justice.

We are also currently advocating for the reform of our civil procedure rules, and we have been in consultations with your office and the Bar Association and have developed proposed draft probate and family rules that will be in harmony with the 2005 Civil Procure Rules, and in short order we will also be looking at the Court of Appeal Rules.

Despite the dire financial straits that the government found itself in, we have tried our best to improve the infrastructure and court filing system. We thank you very much, Madam Acting Chief Justice, your judges, and that of the judiciary, for your patience and cooperation and also the cooperation of the Bar Association of Belize. We will continue to need your patience and indulgence as we seek to carry out the proposed legislative reforms to strengthen the judiciary and the rule of law. Belize can only prosper if we can engender confidence in the judiciary from the business community and foreign investors and assure them that there is recourse to a strong and independent judiciary in the event of a dispute.

Perhaps even more importantly, the Belizean people must have confidence that the rule of law prevails in Belize, and that justice will always be delivered swiftly and justly.

I thank you.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

23 JAN

2022

ECLAC PROJECTS 6.2% GROWTH IN 2022

Just when you feel that the economic world of indicators have peaked, there comes another looking at Belize’s outlook for growth using positive numbers that have not been seen in the last thirteen destructive UDP years. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is projecting Belize’s Gross Domestic Product to grow some 6.2 percent in 2022. The ECLAC had projected Belize to grow much less in 2021 where it is now expected that we will record a growth of close to 15 percent GDP. This growth will shatter all projections including the International Monetary Fund’s projection of 2 percent and revised to approximately 10 percent.

The question of how does this translates to the man on the street is always asked. This is only the first year of the Briceño administration and yes the Belizean economy was dead and devaluation, the worse of economic castigations, was at the doorstep. All this was the criminal doing of the past UDP administration who by Supreme Court ruling and Prime Ministerial blab it was clear that the UDP knew that they were raping Belize of its economic life.

Covid-19 took us into the economic doldrums even before March 23rd 2020. The BTB which housed one of the obscene UDP contracts fired tourist officers way before the pandemic hit Belize. Covid-19 was the excuse for the UDP to continue milking the Belizean coffers.

Today, we have a free zone that has reopened with management that ride the Covid waves with near unscathedness. CEO Ramirez makes the brave decisions and 1000 people keep their jobs and food on the table.

BPO’s open every time we blink. Cruise ships sail in by the trios. Airlines land at unknown rates with international arrivals breaking and making new records. As the land and sea borders are poised to reopen, small business will again reap the bastion of not having to deal with middle men. Grocery shops do not need to worry. The economy will keep ablaze as the borders being open only revives the economy even more.

New hotels and new beds are coming and opening up on Ambergris Caye and ground is breaking for more.

Belize is already a destination of choice. There was a sound bite that said that there needs to be more hotels for Belize to be a destination; that might be true for that person, but the reality is that people already are coming to Belize and in numbers higher than even pre-Covid. The number of airlines warrant more beds and new airport landing hours. As Belize is poised to get an anti-narco radar, this will benefit the slowly congesting skies of the new Belize that is becoming a hub of entertainment and trade.

Agriculture and Belize are becoming synonymous. It had long been predicted that due to our forest and soil, Belize can be the breadbasket of the Caribbean and let’s extend that to Central America. Our involvement with Mexico and our Central American friends will dwarf the trade that we can have with extremely friendly-Taiwan who has been instrumental in Belize’s economic turnaround. Exportation of cattle and non-traditional crops has skyrocketed and there is no flattening of this curve in sight.

As we experience the high cost of importation and fuel, Belize is doing much better than most countries in the region. But Prime Minister, John Briceño will not rest until everyone is doing much, much better. Presently, he is busy with the Petville project and one of the items dear to his constituency. The expansion of his hometown is a microcosm of what he expects in the rest of Belize.

All Belize should be equitably electrified and with water access.

The economic turnaround will eventually return the teachers and Public officers the pay to the 2020 level.

PM has been on the airwaves stating that if the turnaround continues that the three year pay cut might be brought down and to a quicker reinstatement. Equally, the fuel tax, free education for more than only the Pilot at Southside, the 5 dollars minimum wage and many other planBelize commitments will be studied and implemented with all the care Belize needs. Nothing will be done in duress nor roughshod. The time for inaction is over; this is the planBelize Briceño administration with it 26 representatives and Cabinet serving the people of Belize. Six point two growth will be done and eclipsed easily. Belize is ready and working for everyone.

VACANCY: JOB OPPORTUNITY Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the following post in the IT Department. In the Port’s continued effort to promote diversity, both females/males, are encouraged to apply for the available post.

IT SUPPORT TECHNICIAN Reports to: IT Supervisor Summary of Responsibilities: The IT Service Desk is the central point of contact for all IT related incidents and service requests. The role of the IT Support Technician is to provide second line support for all team members Port of Belize Limited. An IT Support Technician is responsible for resolving complex support requests with computer hardware, software, and network systems, as well as meeting customer satisfaction and continuous service delivery demands. Provides research and support for new technologies to be used within our environment. IT Support staff work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment which provides services over the phone, through e-mail, phone, and in person.

Job Responsibilities: 1. Diagnose and resolve software and hardware incidents, including operating system and across a range of software applications.

2. Assist all users with any logged IT related incident when called upon.

3. Manage IT Department Inventory and Provide Monthly report.

4. Upgrade Windows Operating systems and Microsoft office applications.

5. Active Directory Management - Create and Manage Domain User accounts.

6. Administrate TOS (Terminal Operating System) OCTOPI and CMMS. 7. Coordinate with Software Vendors regarding application issues and new features, roll outs, etc.

8. Supervised daily backups and test weekly/monthly backup integrity.

9. Manage and control the implementation of new IT systems, and the ongoing refinement of existing systems.

10. Ensuring that systems and applications are optimized and effective, and that necessary support skills are in place.

11. Able to manage and troubleshoot VLANS Networking issues (Local Network, Surveillance Network, and VOIP network) 12. Able to run and create queries in SQL and produce reports when needed undertaking other duties not specially stated which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility.

13. You are required to assist the IT support functions at other Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd. entities from time to time any other duties that may be assigned of a related nature.

Job qualifications/Requirements: • • •

Associates Degree or equivalent Technical Certificates Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in (VOIP, VLANS, Network, Protocols, Virtual Environment-SQL/VB, MS Server environment, Windows Operating System) Knowledgeable in SQL/VB or equivalent (3-5 years) database/application development & manipulation

Skills/Competencies: • • • •

Ability to work independently Able to work flexible hours Strong analytical skills Critical Thinker

Compensation Package: Will be commensurate (in accordance with the Company's Salary Structure).

To apply: Provide updated resume, cover letter (addressed to Human Resource Manager), copy of valid social security card, Valid police record, name and phone number of two (2) previous employers.

Applications should be emailed to: jobapplications@portofbelize.com Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, January 31st, 2022.

23 JAN

VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN

HYBRID LEARNING

Schools are Ready Except BABB AND FABER WHO SHOULD BE ASHAMED!

By HILLY BENNETT The Honourable Francis Fonseca was fired-up on the Whip Morning Talk Show on Vibes Media Radio & Television on Tuesday 18th January 2022.

The platform also gave the minister an opportunity to tongue-lash the United Democratic Party administration, Carol Babb and the Leader of the Opposition for the abuse, neglect and failings of the education system. The discussion surrounded the reopening of schools in a hybrid learning setting involving some in-person classes and some engagement done on-line using Internet access. The impetus that was the concern by Fonseca, the ministry, and the Government is that the students have been out of the classroom for almost two years and that many of the students across the country have fallen below the requisite proficiency level. The Minister of Education, Science Culture and Technology and E-Governance Honourable Francis Fonseca emphatically, declared that upon coming into office the “number one priority was to return our students to the classroom in a safe and responsible way.” An education recovery task force was put together to plan for the reopening.

Being out of school has had a dramatic impact on Belizean students, not only academically but socially, and psychologically. Fonseca stated that “without wanting to sound dramatic” that Belize was at “risk of losing a generation of young people if we don’t return to classroom.”

Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the system of education globally. But, the education system has been on a downward spiral for over a decade with Patrick Faber, for the moment Leader of the Opposition, and henchwoman, Carol Babb, lacking the competence and creativity to improve the education system to levels held by the People’s United Party. Minister Fonseca indicted both Faber and Babb of presiding “over the absolute death of our education system.” He said both Babb and Faber should be ashamed!”

Faber balked at the accusations of the giving of absurd contracts to select members of the Julian Cho Technical High School and raping of the coffers at the Sports Council diverting funds to the Albert constituency pocket. The doings of former Albert area representative Herman Longsworth.

The present school reopening was not without controversy as the irresponsible media reports were suggesting that there were suspected COVID-19 cases among teachers and students who are enrolled in hybrid learning, particularly in schools in the Belize District.

Fonseca clarified it through a MoECST press release and on the Whip Morning Show. A per the Press Release, the Ministry has, via our COVID-19 Reporting System, received confirmation of 108 cases of COVID-19 affecting teachers and 125 cases of COVID-19 af-

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fecting students, nationwide. Of the 108 cases affecting teachers, only 17 were recorded among teachers who were actively engaging in hybrid learning. When compared to cases among students, out of the 125 cases confirmed, 43 were confirmed among students who were actively engaging in hybrid learning. Between the same time period, 1,626 teachers and 17,198 students were actively engaging in hybrid learning. Therefore, the cases recorded among teachers affected 1.04% of teachers actively

engaging in hybrid learning and among students, the rate was even lower, with cases affecting only 0.25% of all students actively engaging in hybrid learning. In responding to cases affecting both the teachers and students who were participating in the hybrid education all sanitization and cleaning protocols regarding guidelines on School Operations were followed.

Upon investigation information revealed that the cases found was a result of the attending of social functions or the affected coming in close contact with individuals and not as reported by the irresponsible media.

The Press Release gave assurance that Ministry is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our education community in the continued transition to hybrid learning. The Ministry emphasised that together we can and must make hybrid learning a success.

Additionally, Minister Francis Fonseca did not shy away from the issue of the recent firings of the five school wardens. Pre-empting the politically motivated attack from Juicy, Fonseca took the issue front and centre. Although Juicy and the UDPs attempted to portray the firings as political victimization, the MoE vehemently denied any such doing. Evidence was unearthed which showed that most of the school wardens were not reporting for work or working in some other UDP political office and remained on salary, getting paid to do nothing. Another episode of GHOST workers leeching on the taxpayers of Belize. Fonseca shrouded in nobility refused to do a mass firing of the 150 wardens ala the UDP Patrick Faber and has stayed the execution of anything liken to a mass firing.

For context, in 2008 after being elected to the High Stool of Office the Continued on page 10

MINISTRY OF

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND

HOUSING

NOTICE

Haulover Bridge Replacement Project January 2022 The Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing through its construction contractor for the Haulover Bridge Replacement Project, M&M Engineering Consultants Ltd., informs the general public that two permanent mid-river foundation piers will be constructed in the Belize River at a location just downstream of the existing bridge.

Multiple heavy lifting barges will be used as platforms for heavy equipment used in the driving of piles and the construction of the reinforced concrete piers. Commencing Monday 24th January 2022 the barges will be in the river executing the works. The barges will be mostly stationary but at times there may be movement while ferrying materials, equipment and personnel.

No wake signs will be erected to caution boaters to go slow when approaching the Haulover Bridge in both directions of the river.

We would like to thank the general public for their kind cooperation in respecting, abiding by these safety precautions and by exercising due attention and care when navigating through the worksite.

ENDS

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23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

Special Envoy Meets with Key Ministries at the helm of making sure that children and youth have their rights protected and that their development in society gets a better chance at what

2022

we call quality of life.

At this forum, the Special Envoy went to the decision makers to ensure that the year’s plan involves a concerted effort to making family and children the reason for the development of Belize. Everyone in the Cabinet is on board.

NOTICE Today we continued our collaboration with H.E. Rossana Briceno and the Office of the Special Envoy Belize meeting with key Ministers discussing putting children and families at the heart of policy and decision making. Making development family and children centered... making Plan Belize responsive to the needs of children and families.

Key Ministries present were Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry of Education, Culture, E-Governance, Science & Technology, Ministry of Health & Wellness, #MinistryofHomeAffairs, Min. Rural Transformation, Community Dev, Labour and Local Gov, #AttorneyGeneral and Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Belize.

Families and their development is an integral part of planBelize. The Women’s

HYBRID LEARNING

Continued from page 9 Minister of Education Patrick Faber was responsible for the mass firings of some sixty school wardens. At that time, it was clearly an issue of political victimisation, especially when considering the firing of Hirian Good the wife of the infamous Charlie Good on August 3rd 2008.

On August 3rd, Mrs Good was served with a dismissal letter. At the time, she asked the manager, Mr. Dale Anthony to give a “good reason” for her dismissal.

The reply from Anthony was that it was “politics” and because she was employed under the previous administration (PUP).

Mrs. Good was directed to Faber who she confronted at Brad’s store at the foot of the Belcan bridge. When she asked Faber to re-instate her to her job, he stated that he could not help her.

Faber added, she said, “in fact, you should have been gone from last year.

I cannot help you. I have my own people to put in.” Although a BNTU release asked Faber to reconsider his decision to terminate Mrs Good and to immediately re-instate Mrs Good to her post he remained unmoved. Contrary to the recent termination of these school wardens that was blatant political victimization in 2008 under the Faber regime. Simply put, the wardens were being paid for doing absolutely nothing!

Importantly, this occurrence is just one example of Honorable Francis Fonseca’s attempt to fix the problem and to repair a badly broken education system the residual effect of Faber, Babb and the UDP-13. Especially considering the four high schools on the South-side of Belize- Excelsior, Gwen Lizarraga, Maud Williams, and Sadie Vernon. They presided over the absolute death of our education system and should be ashamed.

agenda in tandem with that of Children has been at the forefront of the John Briceño Administration. Leadership positions are held all over the planBelize government. We can begin at the helm with the Governor General and move to Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.

CEO positions are held by women in different ministries including the Office of the Prime Minister himself.

The statutory boards and their committees have women at the highest levels participating. Minister Dolores and the Special Envoy are definitely

CHIN-I METAL CORPORATION #11,779 (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that the Company named CHIN-I METAL CORPORATION has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 5th January, 2022.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

VACANCY: JOB OPPORTUNITY

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the following post in the Marine Department. In the Port’s continued effort to promote diversity both males/females, able/ differently abled are encouraged to apply for the available post.

BOAT CAPTAIN

Reports to: Marine Manager Summary of Responsibilities: The primary duty of the Boat Captain is to safely navigate the vessel of which he has in command.

The captain has absolute authority relating to the safe conduct of his voyage and he alone shall make determinations regarding the safety of his vessel, crew and passengers, including when put to the sea. This post is fun and challenging, come prepared for a new venture.

Job Responsibilities: • • • • • • • • • • •

Operate and navigate all Port of Belize Limited vessels under command in a safe and efficient manner.

Ensure that the Pilots Launches are always in a state of readiness to perform its function. Be thoroughly familiar with the duties of a Captain/Engineer as contained in Belize Port Authority Mariner’s Handbook.

Provide proper accounting for all fuel and lubricants and for spare parts used in repairs and maintenance including a log Book for each vessel.

Ensure the safe handling of hazardous material in compliance with current safety precautions and environmental protection laws and regulations in the procurement, stowage and disposal of such materials.

Ensure that the Pilots & Stevedores embarking and disembarking from ship are done in a safe and efficient manner.

Follow proper and comprehensive preventative maintenance program for the Pilot Launches as provided and assist to effect repairs to engines of the Pilot Launch.

In time of emergency or danger, when in command, give proper and clear instructions.

Inspect Vessels, check fuel levels, major shipboard systems, navigational lights and sound devices.

Ensure all safety devices are onboard and in good working order.

Complete Pre & Post voyage check list.

Any other duties of a related nature assigned from time to time.

Job Qualifications/Requirement: • Minimum High School Diploma.

• 5 years’ boat handling experience preferred (minimum Class B).

• Possess a valid Boat Captain License Class C. • Knowledge of maritime laws and regulations Required Skills, Knowledge and Characteristics: To be selected applicants must possess the following important characteristics: • Firm Knowledge of marine craft communication and problem –solving skills.

• Must have the ability to adapt to changing conditions and respond to emergency situations.

• Able to easily multi-task and work independently.

• Team Oriented, Punctual, and Ethical Compensation Package: Will be commensurate (in accordance with the Company's Salary Structure).

To apply: Provide updated resume, cover letter (addressed to Human Resource Manager), copy of valid social security card, valid police report, name and phone number of two(2) previous employers.

Email to: jobapplications@portofbelize.com Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, January 31st, 2022.

23 JAN

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

Parcel No. 8261, Block No. 20, Belmopan Registration Section containing 464.612 Square Meters situate in the Maya Mopan Area, City of Belmopan, Cayo District held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of DELBERT AMOS RHABURN JR. —A Two (2) bedroom timber dwelling containing a bath, a living, dining and kitchen combined attached to a front porch.

Parcel No. 4012, Block No. 24, Society Hall Registration Section containing 795.226 Square Meters situate in the Roaring Creek Village, Cayo District held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of RAFAEL ANTONIO SALASAR. —One two (2) bedroom concrete bungalow dwelling containing a living and dining area combined and kitchen area attached to a porch.

Parcel No. 1813, Block No. 4, Ann Gabourel Registration Section containing 555.56 Square Yards, held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of CHRISTINE SHERRY HAWKINS —One Three (3) bedroom concrete bungalow dwelling containing 1 bath, 1 kitchen, 1 dining and a living area

Parcel No. 116/1, Block No. 1 San Jose/San Pablo Registration Section containing 657.6 Square Meters situate in the San Pablo Village, Orange Walk District and held under a Certificate of Lease being the leasehold interest of ORLANDO MONTERO.—One concrete bungalow residential home

All that piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 348 containing 956.733 Square Meters situate in the Maxboro Subdivision, Sandhill Village, Belize District as shown on Entry No. 5146 Register 21 held under a Minister's Fiat Lease being the leasehold interest of SHERLEE FRAZER — One -three (3) bedroom concrete bungalow dwelling with 1 living, 1 dining and 1 bath. Attached on both sides of the home by two porches.

Parcel 304, Block 16, Vista Del Mar Registration Section containing 696.54 Square Meters held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of KEVIN ENRIQUEZ & ANDREA ENRIQUEZ surety for ANKA LTD. Parcel 303, Block 16, Vista Del Mar Registration Section containing 696.54 Square Meters held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of KEVIN ENRIQUEZ & ANDREA ENRIQUEZ surety for ANKA LTD. Parcel 302, Block 16, Vista Del Mar Registration Section containing 696.54 Square Meters held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of KEVIN ENRIQUEZ & ANDREA ENRIQUEZ surety for ANKA LTD.

Parcel No. 1660, Block No. 45, Port/ Loyolaville Registration Section containing 325.953 Square Meters situate on Delarai Sanchez Street, Belize City, Belize held under a Land Certificate being the freehold interest of MARISOL LESLIE surety for GLENN FRANCIS LESLIE and MARISOL LESLIE — An incomplete two (2) bedroom concrete bungalow dwelling containing 2 bath, 1 kitchen, 1 dining, laundry and a living area.

All that piece or parcel of land containing 0.819 Acres, 25 Acres & 24.95 Acres respectively, situate in the Frank's Eddy Agricultural Layout, Cayo District and held under 3 Deed of Conveyances together with all buildings, erections and developments standing thereon and being the freehold interests of DEON DALE PASCASCIO. —Formerly known as PasguHal Eco-Lodge located in Frank's Eddy Village

Parcel No. 603/1, Block 1, San Estevan Registration Section containing 766.4 Square Meters situate in San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District held under a Certificate of Lease being the leasehold interest of HORTENCIA YANELLA CHAN & ROSENDO MELVIN CHAN.—One wooden bungalow styled dwelling measuring 110' x 75'. Set on a concrete slab containing 2 bedrooms a kitchen, dining, living area and 1 bath attached to a front porch.

All that piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 1 containing 696.48 Square Meters situate along the Northern Highway near Mile 12, Belize District, as shown on Register No. 24 Entry Plan No. 13447, held under a Deed of Conveyance being the freehold interest of CORNELIUS FRIESSEN. — One Unit with two stories - Ground Floor - I combined kitchen and dining area, 1 bedroom, 1 bath attached to an open office area (storage and assembly area), Level Upper floor - divided by a concrete partition with two sections that is incomplete.

A total of 2469.16 Square Yards containing 14 Apartments (10 One bedroom apartments & 4 two bedroom apartments) each with a living, dining, kitchen each attached to a private porch area and a shared laundromat area (22.5' x 40') which is situated at the front of the building.

Miguel A. Ellis P.O. Box 118, Belmopan, Ph: 634-9058 E-Mail: miguel_ellis@hotmail.com Please contact DFC for financing

Parcel No. 269/1, Block 23, San Ignacio North Registration Section containing 557.41 Square Meters situate in San Ignacio Town, Cayo District held under a Certificate of Lease being the leasehold interest of KENT WILLIAM FLOWERS. —One three (3) bedroom concrete bungalow dwelling containing 1 bath a combined living, dining and kitchen attached to a front and back porch.

Parcel No. 96/1, Block 4, Chan Pine Ridge Registration Section, containing 907.475 S.M. situate in Chan Pine Ridge Village, Orange Walk District, held under Certificate of Lease being the leasehold interest of DIANELA T. REYNOSO (aka Aurora Dianela Tzul) surety for Esdra Reynoso -- One Concrete bungalow Three (3) Bedroom, 1 Bath, 1 Kitchen, dining and living area.

Parcel Nos. 8965 & 8964, Block No. 7, San Pedro Registration Section containing 1 Acre respectively situate 3.5 Miles North of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize District held under Land Certificates being the freehold interests of MADHU ODHERMAL BABANI —Empty plots of land

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23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2022

2022

23 JAN

2022

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18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

RT. HON. GEORGE PRICE EXHIBITION The Man vs. The Politician On January 15 celebration of his Day PM John Briceño remarks

Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price’s personal items Opening of the Exhibition

Music Accompaniment

Mayor PM John Bernard Briceño Wagner remarks in attendance

Minister Henry Charles Usher in attendance

Opening Ceremony for the Exhibition

Minister Francis Fonseca remarks

PM with attendees enjoying the exhibit

Exhibit went on for the rest of the day

Senator Collet Montejo and BC Councilor Micah Goodin in attendance

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THE BELIZE TIMES

23 JAN

2022

25 SPORTS 2022 23 JAN

25 2016 2017 2022

21 29 JAN AUG 23

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

BELIZE GIRLS WIN in FFB Elite U-20 football

BZE U-20 girls win 4-3 vs Corozal

Belize City, January 15, 2022 The Belize District under-20 girls recovered from a 1-3 deficit to triumph 4-3 over the Corozal Elite U-20 girls in the opening match of the Football Federation of Belize’s Elite Under-20 national football tournament at the MCC garden on Saturday morning.

Shante Chacon’s lucky strike opened the scoreboard for the hosts in the 22nd minute of play. Aaliyah Herbert and Carlene Tillett pressed the Belize attack, with help of Kelin Pineda, Nataly Muñoz and Mignon Daniels at midfield. Ashari Zuniga anchored the Corozal defense with the help of Anahi Blanco, Jocelyn Sho, Ismari Catzim and Kimberly Santiago to help goalkeeper Joanna Moralez keep a clean slate up to the half.

Ashari Zuniga overlapped from defense to deliver the equalizer in the 31st minute. Saudy Rivera led the Belize defense along with Lorraine Stephens, Asharie Estrada and Leeah Haylock, but they could not prevent Blanco from scoring Corozal’s 2nd goal in the 49th minute, and Alisha CZL Kimberly Terry delivered a 3rd in the 63rd minute.

Santiago defends vs Aaliyah Herbert broke through the defense BZE Kelin Pineda to score Belize’s 2nd goal in the 75th minute.

Carlene Tillett got the chance to equalize from the penalty spot but missed! Then Chacon ran

through the defense to complete her hat trick in the 90th minute for the 4-3 win.

At the Victor Sanchez Union Field, Roshanny Narvaez became the top goal scorer in the league, with 4 goals in the 5th, 31st, 44th and 55th minutes to lead the Belmopan girls to a 4-0 win over the Toledo Elite girls.

At the Carl Ramos Stadium, the Stann Creek girls won 2-0 over the Cayo Elite, with goals by Shendra Casimiro and Jaelin Cacho in the 66th and 90th minutes respectively.

At the Ambergris Stadium, the San Pedro girls triumphed 3-1 over the Orange Walk girls, with goals

by Tanya Teul, Babee Lopez and Samira Sorto in the 19th, 32nd and 88th minutes. Only Kaite Jones scored for Sugar city in the 36th minute.

BZE CarleneTillett shoots PK

Belize U-20 men school Corozal 5-0 in FFB Elite football Belize City, January 15, 2022 The Belize District under-20 men held a football clinic for the Corozal Elite U-20 men: 5-0 when the Football Federation of Belize’s Elite Youth tournament kicked off at the MCC garden on Saturday.

Adrian Usher and Shemar “Sap” Gillett led the attack, supported by Eldon “Tuncy’ Reneau and Enoch “Monsta” Rhaburn on the wings, and Lawnie Leslie, Mikey Palacio and Jalen “Blocker” Clother at midfield.

The Corozal defenders Lloudian Hall, Carlos Mendez, Kendale Butler and Alexander Varela and Victor Carillo were hard pressed, and goalkeeper Damion Johnson could not stop Usher’s strike in the 33rd minute. Gillett made it 2-0 at the 44th minute.

Jair Williams and Eliceo Rosales tried to get an attack going for Corozal, with the help of Ryan Williams, Reginald Diego and Omar Flores, but they were completely neutralized by the Belize defenders Alender Herrera, Corey Perteau and Michael “Babique” Bradley, leaving goalkeeper Kemar “Pooh” James hardly any opportunity

Belize U-20 Elite men

Corozal U-20 Elite men

to get a touch on the ball!

Reneau and Leslie struck at the 70th and 74th minutes, and Brandon “Battery” Smith came off the bench to add a 5th goal in the 78th minute. Alden Nunez came off the visitor’s bench after the break, but to no avail.

In other matches around the league, at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village, the MidSouth Elite marched over the Benque Viejo Elite: 4-0 with goals by Edwin Gomez at the 32n minute, Kieron Cacho at the 55th minute, Marshawn Lozano at the 79th minute, and Shemar Roberts in the 90the minute.

At the Ambergris Stadium, Orange Walk’s Augustine brothers, Tyrese and Jaheim, and Belarmino Esquivel drilled the San Pedro Elite at the 5th, 55th and 66th minutes respectively for a 3-1 win. Jarret Rubio’s 56th minute strike was Isla Bonita’s only consolation goal.

At the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga, the Stann Creek U-20 men tamed the Cayo Elite: 2-0, with goals

by Stephen Noralez and Timothy Rubio in the 19th and 23rd minutes.

23 JAN

2022

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Hon. Usher Continues his Assistance to Small Businesses in Port Loyola 19/1/22 Earlier this week several more established small businesses in Port Loyola received needed boost from Area Representative Hon. Gilroy Usher with new equipment or a one time grant of $500.00.

Christopher McKoy, Dennis Horne, and Jaime Cassasola received new weed hackers. Gary Perez, Brian Martinez, and Devin Staine each received the grant for their carwash, meat pie, and laundry businesses, respectively.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Companies listed below have been dissolved and duly struck off the IBC Register as follows: NAME OF COMPANY

Date of Dissolution

GREEN WOOD INVESTMENT LIMITED ICCB (IRAQI CONSULTANTS & CONSTRUCTION BUREAU) LTD. RANGEL HOLDINGS LIMITED LOV20 LTD. ALMA CONSULTING LTD. FAIRWAY LTD. BELPICO CORPORATION ALANA INVEST & TRADE INC. MOTION TRADING LTD. BERLIN FINANCE LTD. HUGACK LTD. SAUFFE TRADING LTD. KIRKWOOD PROPERTY HOLDINGS LIMITED TRISTAN REAL ESTATE INC. FEB MARINE TRADING CO. LTD. SK MARINE CO., LTD. ERTY TRADING INC. OKRO INC. GARLAND COMMERCIAL LTD. LOGISTICA (AFRICA) LIMITED INTERNATIONAL PORTS SERVICES INC. XONTRA INVESTMENTS LTD. HILSTON INVESTMENT LTD. CONCORD SHIPPING CORPORATION

1st December, 2021 1st December, 2021 7th December, 2021 10th December, 2021 10th December, 2021 11th December, 2021 11th December, 2021 15th December, 2021 15th December, 2021 17th December, 2021 17th December, 2021 17th December, 2021 23rd December, 2021 28th December, 2021 28th December, 2021 28th December, 2021 28th December, 2021 28th December, 2021 29th December, 2021 29th December, 2021 29th December, 2021 29th December, 2021 30th December, 2021 31st December, 2021

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Ltd.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Companies listed below have been dissolved and duly struck off the IBC Register as follows: NAME OF COMPANY

Date of Dissolution

BYRNES FINANCE LTD.

31st December, 2021 31st December, 2021

WHITEMORE FINANCIAL CORP.

Belize Chairs Forty-Eight Meeting of the Community Council (CARICOM) of Ministers Belmopan. January 14, 2022. 3:45 p.m.

The Forty-Eight Meeting of the Community Council (CARICOM) of Ministers met virtually today, January 14, 2022, under the chairmanship of Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration.

Key among the issues discussed was the Plan of Action for CSME Implementation and the continued reform of the CARICOM Secretariat, with a view to enhancing efficiencies and minimizing costs.

Ministers recognized the need for greater collaboration with public and private partners in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic effects on global production and the surge in freight rates and its consequent effects on consumers and businesses alike. The Council noted the continued deteriorating political, security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, and renewed the Community’s willingness to assist Haiti, with a view to restoring a sense of safety and security to the country.

Ambassador Amalia

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Ltd.

Lost or Destroyed

Debenture & Share Certificates

Mai, chief executive officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, updated the Council on the preparations for the Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, scheduled to be held in San Pedro Town, Belize, from February 28 to March 1, 2022. CEO Mai also briefed on the preparations for the IV CARCOM-SICA Summit to be held on March 2, 2022.

The Community Council of Ministers is the second highest organ to Heads of Government and of State, and bears primary responsibility for the development of the Community’s strategic planning and coordination of the Community’s economic integration, functional cooperation and external relations.

Name

Debenture Certificate No.

Name

Share Certificate No.

16 2021 5 DEC

THE BELIZE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE

05 5 2022

23 JAN

MHW Belize National Day The Government of Cuba Awards Medical I GOT VACCINATED!!

Scholarships to Belizean HeldStudents at Expo 2020 Dubai New Incentive Raffle New Vax Pass App

Yesterday, January 13, 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Belize and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration held a ceremony at the House of Culture to give recognition to thirteen recipients of the Cuba-Belize Scholarship Programme 2022. Of the thirteen recipients, ten will be majoring in medicine, two in nursing and one in psychology.

The Cuba-Belize Scholarship Programme is an annual scholarship awarded to young Belizeans who are Qualify weekly by interested in pursuing careers in the Getting your 1st, 2nd shot Vaccine or the single Johnson and Johnson shot or a booster shot Prizes 1st place…$3,000 2nd place…$1,000 3rd place…$500

Death Ministry of

Announcement

Health Pass Josephine DeliaApp

Balderamos Price This is ready tonee be downloaded

for Android and Apple devices. Once this App is in the phone there is no need to walk around with your vaccination card. With your Social Security number OR Belize Health Information System number (on the Vax Card) for the App and a SSB card you can prove to the world that you are vaccinated.

The App can be used to verify that someone else has been vacciAugust 1, 1925 nated. This can be done by scanning January 17, 2022 the QR code to verify that it is authentic.

As said before, With deepest sorrow,the theSSB Bal- card is important confirm identity. deramosto family announces If you are unable to access the passing of Josephine Deliayour vaccination record using your Social Balderamos nee Price on MonSecurity or BHIS number you day January 17, 2022. Miss Jo, ascan text, whatsapp 669-8843 shecall wasor affectionately known, or 613-1096. is predeceased by her husband, Get Vaccinated!!

Leopold ‘Poly’ Balderamos; her sister-in-law, Doris Hyde; and her grandson, John David Loskot. She is also predeceased by her parents, William Cadle Price and Irene Escalante Price, and her sisters and brothers, Mina Price Arnold, Lydia Waight, Jane Usher, Rt. Hon. George Price, Meg Craig, Ann Price, Sam Price, Judith Price, and Dr. John Price.

She is survived by her sisters Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Canton and Katharine ‘Susie’ Price. She is also survived by her eight children, Therese Mill, Dr. Lydia Balderamos Loskot, Philip Balderamos, Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Dr. Josephine Balderamos Price, Mamie Martinez, Dr. Leo Paul Balderamos, and John Balderamos. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

May she rest in peace.

On December 1st there were 8 winners which included five 3rd place winners, two 2nd place winners, and one winner of the 1st place three thousand dollars. All this was won by getmedical field. during The scholarship is ting vaccinated the last week. awarded in full by this the Government The raffle including one is set for of theweeks.

Republic Cuba. goes into seven Thisoftherefore In year speaking the new 2022.to this year’s recipients, Minister of supervised Education,by This raffle is being Culture, Science Technology, the National Lotteryand Committee.

The Hon. Fonseca, first 1stFrancis prize winner is highlighted Ariel Duarte, thecould generosity theVaccinated Government this be you.ofGet with and2nd people of Cuba in light ofwill thebe 1st, or booster shot…This illegal and unjust embargo streamed on the Ministry of Healthimand posed onFacebook their nation by the United Wellness page every MonStates, and the current difficulties day at 2pm.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 30, 2021. Belize is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai which is being held under the theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” with the subthemes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability and today, a delegation led by Minister, the Honourable Anthony Mahler, celebrated Belize’s National Day. EXPO Dubai provides opportunities to finding solutions to the pressing challenges of our time by offering a journey inside a universal theme through engaging and immersive activities. Countries can participate in one of the three subthemes and Belize is participating under the Opportunity theme to showcase Belize as an ideal destination for investments and trade.

Belize’s participation comes on being endured globally as a result of the heels of its first Investment Sumthe COVID-19 pandemic. Minister mit which saw investment potential Fonseca motivated the awardees with countries from around the world, to be resolute in the pursuit of their including the United Arab Emirates studies despite challenges. He also (UAE), with whom we signed an Ecoencouraged them to respect and nomic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) embrace the Cuban culture, people in 2019. The ECA establishes a frameand values and experiences during work for expanding the economic retheir time there. lationship between the two countries Ambassador of Cuba to Belize, in a number of key areas; including inHer Excellency Mrs. María Caridad vestment, tourism, transportation, inBalaguer Labrada, also addressed frastructure and construction among

the awardees. She congratulated others. them The for the success theirfeatured eduBelize NationalinDay cation so far and wished them well remarks from the Minister of Tourism in the further pursuit of their studies and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler and home of country.

She and in theher Minister State of thehighUAE, lighted the commitment to building H.E. Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, who the human on resource commented Belize’s capacity opennessofto small developing nations like Belize, investment opportunities that are tied as one of the main goals of the Cuto biodiversity and sustainable practicban government since the revolues to protect the country’s ecosystem. tion.

The Belize National Day closed off with This year, Belize and Cuba a dinner hosted by the UAE andcelea gift brate 27 years of bilateral relations, exchange by Minister Mahler who was solidarity Over the presentedand withcooperation. a key to the city. courseScheduled of those toyears, 200+ Belizappear as the culean students have had the opportutural entertainment from Belize was nity to studyCollectives, in Cuba. We look forthe Garifuna who, unfortuward to continuing the development nately were not able to perform due to cooperation with our sister CaribbeCOVID-19 restrictions. an nation.

This is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East with participation from over 190 countries and is projected to attract 25 million visitors, with the Belize pavilion receiving up to 2,500 visitors in a day. The Belize Delegation Notice is hereby given that Alexalso included Dr. Leroy Almendarez, andra & Jason Valdes are applyExecutive Director of BELTRAIDE, Comingfor a General Shop Liquor LicenseDubai, to missioner for EXPO be operated at “Carnivore Belize” Mr. Evan Tillett, Director Belize Tourism located at # 31 Eve Street, BeBoard and Ms. Nikki Augustine, Marlize City, Belize District under the keting and Communications Manager Intoxicating Liquor License Ordiof nance BELTRAIDE, Deputy Revised EditionCommissioner 1980.

General.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICE

23 JAN

2022

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT ARTIST DOWN! ARTIST DOWN! Marlyn Vansen is one of Belize’s most talented singers. She is a super star.

She has what it takes to go places in the music world: Attractive, talented, good looks, intelligent, ambitious and determined.

In an interview a few years ago she is quoted as saying: “There are many negative things happening in our world.

I hope my music can bring something positive like joy and a smile to the face of some people. I love to see people’s face light-up because of what I am doing”.

The singer, song-writer, dancer and producer shared with the public and her fans this week that she is ailing with a serious illness. The diagnosis is that she has multiple sclerosis (MS) which is not curable. This is an auto-immune disease which attacks the spinal cord and the nerve fibers in the brain.

It causes loss of movements of the limbs, convulsion and seizures, fatigue and blurry vision.

Artists like Marlyn who are singers and song writers, are like poets, novelists and musicians, they are a special breed of human beings. It’s almost as if they have a God-given talent which yearns and burn inside to be developed.

They can become important musical Ambassadors for their country.

Marlyn needs our help. The medication needed to help control the disease and ease her pain is not available in Belize. It is also expensive.

If it were not covid times, we could have organized a concert or fund raising event where our artists would gladly perform for one of their own.

We have no artists association. Marlyn has nowhere to turn. We join in her appeal to the public to reach out to her family. Heritage Bank 1213301 or call her Mom at 614-372.

We ask God to give her strength and help her through her struggle.

PLEASE PATRICK, NOT AGAIN Patrick Faber, according to channel 7 TV news of Wednesday this week, is facing another domestic violence complaint.

Channel 7 is alleging that Patrick’s fiancée visited the police Domestic Violence Unit to make a formal complaint against the Leader of the Opposition.

The Complainant, says Channel 7, is different from the last Complainant who has a young child for the would-be, wanna-be Prime Minister. For that last scandal, Faber was caught on camera displaying anger management problems against his baby’s mom. It triggered an attempt to remove Faber as the Leader of the Opposition. An old, antiquated UDP rule caused Faber to survive but showed he barely had support among the UDP delegates who decided on a vote if he stays or goes.

Channel 7, a staunch, die-hard supporter of the UDP, headlined their newscast with this opening statement “Faber Finds Himself In Hot Water Following Allegation oF Domestic Violence”.

The actual reporting stated “Tonight, UDP Leader Patrick Faber’s inter-party critics are sharpening their knives-after another as yet unsubstantiated allegation of domestic abuse emerged against him today.”

The report called the name of Faber’s fiancée. We won’t mention her name. We don’t believe women should be named and inadvertently shamed when they are victims of any kind of abuse and have to seek Police or public intervention.

Channel 7 quotes Faber as saying there is no complaint against him. If it turns out he is lying and there is a complaint against him, his Leadership of the Opposition would be mortally wounded.

We can only imagine the enormous pressure that the fiancée is under.

Ah! this thing called politics in little Belize.

THE ROAD TO BARRANCO We were taken aback on hearing an official from the Barranco Village praising the new government for doing some road works on the journey to Barranco.

The road to Barranco is one of the worst pieces of road in the country. The whole surface is broken up and has been like that for years.

We thought, wrongly, that the millions upon millions the UDP were squandering on round-abouts and useless projects, Barranco would at least have had a decent road.

The South truly suffered under the UDP. The official was interviewed by Paul Mahung, and he explained that even as it was raining the heavy equipment was rolling and making the surface passable.

DEAN BARROW GOES TO COURT At the end of the last UDP government, information emerged of a firesale of government vehicles to their Ministers and some UDP cronies.

Belizeans were outraged.

The Public Services Union among others demanded of the new govern-

ment that the matter be investigated.

A Commission of Enquiry was formed. After almost a year, the hearings concluded and a 46 page Report was released.

One of those affected by the report is former UDP Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands Hugo Patt. His expensive 2020 Toyota Tacoma was part of the firesale and was sold in circumstances that appeared suspicious and highly irregular.

Hugo Patt now wishes to go to Court to get an Order that the findings or statements in the Report should be quashed. His reason among others is that the Report or draft of it should have been made available to him and he be allowed to respond to any adverse findings. It is the law that such should be the procedure to be followed.

But guess who Hugo Patt is getting as his lawyer? One Dean Barrow, the said former Prime Minister who approved the firesale of vehicles which had so enraged the citizens of Belize.

Barrow not only Ok’d individual sale of government vehicles for prices considered way below the market value. He and his UDP administration also did so without the vehicles being put to public tender as is the practice required by law. If the sum total of the overall sale of all the vehicles is more than a certain amount, Barrow would also be in violation of the Finance and Audit Act. And guess what, the said Barrow was also Summoned by the Commission and questioned on the sale of vehicles. Asked specifically about a particular sale to one cabinet Minister named Barnett, Barrow told the Commission that the Minister did not have money to buy a vehicle when the term of office ended, so he approved a cheap sale to her.

Dean Barrow needs to be censored. He should be forced to refund taxpayers if any loss occurred or if any crime or irregularity took place. He is the one who should be going to Court as a Defendant for all the alleged malfeasance or misfeasance he committed while in office.

If a Court finds the Report did not follow proper legal procedure and quash the findings against Hugo Patt, then by extension any findings against Barrow, if there is any in the Report, those would also be quashed. It would be like going to court for himself too.

On another note, general elections is 3 years 10 months away.

COST OF LIVING One of the burning issues troubling our people every day in every way is the cost of living.

The cost of items keeps going up, relentlessly. We understand what is happening with the cost of petrol, but the cost of other items is becoming a huge burden on poor people. There really is no proper reason why so much is being added to so many items.

The rising cost of items and goods in Belize needs to be stopped in its tracks and then beat back downwards.

MARILYN GARDINER The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank has retired. Mrs. Marilyn Gardiner-Usher retired quietly and without fanfare in keeping with her character and personality. She is known as a humble but effective Senior Manager.

Marilyn gave the best years of her working career to the Central Bank where she started in 1987 and who worked her way through her scholarship and dedication to reach the pinnacle of the institution and became its Deputy Governor. She holds a Master’s Degree from the University of the West Indies.

Mrs. Gardiner Usher received many awards and accolades from financial institutions and overseas courses during her tenure at the Central Bank. She is married to Edd Usher who holds a Master’s Degree in Law and Legal Drafting and is the most experienced Magistrate on the bench and presently works as Magistrate for Belmopan and the Benque Viejo Courts.

Big respect to Marilyn Gardiner and best of wishes for an enjoyable and fruitful retirement.

NOTICE Mega Selection Corp. #112,367 (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that the Company named Mega Selection Corp. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 6th January, 2022.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

23 JAN

2022

NEMO COMMENCES SHELTER INSPECTIONS FOR THE 2022 HURRICANE SEASON Belmopan. January, 2022. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has commenced its annual shelter inspections in the Orange Walk district and Belize City. The aim is to identify shelters across the country that are suitable for the general public in times of disasters and emergencies. The exercise is carried out based on the Shelter Inspections Guidelines.

The team is headed by an engineer from the municipal council or the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, and representatives from NEMO field office, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the school staff. The other locations around the country will be inspected based on the inspection programme.

Inspections are carried out before every Hurricane Season to ensure that the structural integrity of the building, safety, functionality, and the key amenities and issues regarding dedicated space, toilet, water, etc. are identified and addressed as early as possible.

Upon completion of the exercise, the national shelter list, before public dissemination, will be vetted by all coordinators and their inspection teams before submission to NEMO Headquarters. Thereafter, it will be presented to the Minister and CEO in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management. The list thereafter will be submitted to the Chairperson of the National Housing and Shelter Committee for final approval.

NEMO takes this opportunity to advise the general public, schools, churches, statutory bodies, businesses, and government ministries to start planning and implementing your 2022 emergency preparedness activities, namely inspections, training, emergency plan review, etc.

All COVID 19 protocols must be adhered to.

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is the primary distributor and the only licensed public provider of electricity in Belize. Our Mission is to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable energy solutions to enhance the quality of life and the productivity of enterprise and to support national development.

We are looking for a highly motivated, goal oriented, responsible and committed person to join our Company in the role of Supervisor, Financial Reporting & Analysis in the Finance & Accounting Department at our Corporate Headquarters in Belize City.

Duties: • Analyze business and financial data and create financial models for decision support to organizational leaders.

• Perform financial forecasting, reporting, and operational metrics tracking for regular leadership reviews and evaluate financial performance by comparing and analyzing actual results with plans and forecasts.

• Analyze past results, perform variance analysis, identify trends, and make recommendations for improvements.

• Work closely with the accounting team to ensure accurate financial reporting.

• Provide support to other departments regarding financial and accounting related matters.

• Assist with policy compliance by providing support to External Auditors for quarterly and annual audits and Internal Auditors for procedural audits.

• Provide budget planning support, analysis, and reporting.

• Formulate and implement policies and procedures where necessary.

• Engage, coach and mentor staff while fostering a work environment that is consistent with the Mission, vision and values of the Company.

Education and Experience: • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) certification is desired • Minimum of three years accounting experience with a focus on financial reporting requirements • Two years relevant supervisory experience Required Skills and Abilities: • Ability to analyze and interpret financial data • Extensive knowledge of accounting concepts and principles • Possess exceptional analytical and problem solving skills • Ability to grasp new concepts quickly, exercise sound judgement and decisiveness while maintaining high work quality • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines • Action and results oriented with excellent collaborative skills for pursuing shared goals • Strong supervisory, leadership and coaching skills • Ability to foster continuous learning through research and other forms of learning • Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate • Working knowledge of the Windows Environment and Microsoft Office applications • Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel (managing spreadsheets with large sets of data, creating charts and using advanced formulas) Salary: in accordance with Company Salary Structure.

Submit application letter along with resume, copy of degrees and certificates and three recent professional letters of recommendation via email to: Manager, Talent Acquisition & Development Email: career.opportunity@bel.com.bz In the email subject, please indicate the position: Supervisor, Financial Reporting & Analysis Only electronic applications are being accepted at this time.

For more information or queries, call 227-0954 Ext. 1415 or 1416 Deadline: Friday, January 28, 2022

23 JAN

2022

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

Fifteen Laptops to Students in Belize City

Ambassador David Kuan-Chou Chien had the pleasure to join His Worship Mayor Bernard Wagner of Belize City Council in handing over 15 Acer laptops to students and schools in the great municipality. The laptops were contributed by Kaohsiung City Government, Belize’s Sister City in Southern Taiwan to highlight the Sister City partnership established in 2005. As the new school semester just commenced, the opportune gift will help bridge the Digital Divide exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The donation today once again demonstrates the enduring bond and friendship between our two countries and peoples!

Blue Economy, Salt Production Seminar and much more

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE With sponsorship from the Republic of China Taiwan, the Caye Caulker Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association facilitates a vibrant forward-thinking group of 28 Hicaqueños to innovative sustainable livelihood opportunities utilizing island resources of Caye Caulker including the Blue Economy.

The 11-day program runs from 27 December 2021 to 17 January 2022 and includes the fields of interest and skills training led by the facilitators as follows: - Introduction to the Blue Economy, Maria Vega - Introduction to Smart Farming, Maria Vega - Marketing, processing, packaging for Export, Stacy Badillo - Coral Reef Awareness, Buddy Magaña Jr, Maria Vega - Sea Salt Production, Briony Ysaguirre, Dianira Enriquez - Seaweed Cultivation, Placencia Producers Cooperative Team - Wilbur Dubon, Marneesha Leslie, Leonel Tucker, Louis Godfrey, and assisted by the trained Caye Caulker Seaweed Cultivation team, Ronaldo Magaña, Buddy Magaña Jr and Maria Vega.

Project Oversight and Implementation Team: General Oversight – Maria Vega; Coordinator – Celina Jiménez; Finances – Akheil Badillo; Records – Buddy Magaña Jr.; General Assistant – Ronaldo Magaña

2022 TaiwanICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund) Scholarship Program

The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that the 2022 TaiwanICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund) Scholarship Program has been officially launched. This scholarship will allow Belizeans under the age of 50 to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree from a list of 34 available programs offered by 20 partnered universities in Taiwan starting from academic year 2022 (commencing in September 2022). Scholarship recipients will be provided with a round trip economy class airfare, housing, tuition fees, credit fees, insurance, textbook costs, and a monthly allowance, which varies due to different study programs. Applicants are required to apply simultaneously with both (1) the Embassy and (2) the University. Application documents have to be respectively submitted to the Embassy in person by March 15, 2022, and to the University before its respective deadline.

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been offering TaiwanICDF Scholarship Program to Belizeans since 2002. Every year there are around 25 to 35 Belizeans being awarded the Scholarship. In 2021, a total of 37 Belizeans received the TaiwanICDF Scholarship. Taiwan Embassy welcomes eligible Belizeans to submit their applications.

Continued on page 20

BY ORDER OF THE CHARGEE HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED, a Licensed Public Auctioneer will sell the following property at the place and time as listed.

At the Parking Lot of Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited, No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 10:00a.m.

SCHEDULE

ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Parcel 1039, Block 4 in the Carmelita Registration Section situate in the Posito Area, Carmelita Village, Orange Walk District easily accessible on the western side of the Philip Goldson Highway near Mile 43 ¾ comprising 12.29 Acres used mostly for agricultural purposes TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of RICARDO A. MARTIN, surety for DANIEL MARTIN. DATED this 10th day of January 2022 All sales are strictly cash and deemed final. For more information contact: HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

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THE BELIZE TIMES

23 JAN

2022

PlanBelize Visits to Southern Communities

On January 15 and 16 Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Dolores Balderamos Garcia and Minister of State Elvia Vega Samos along with Commissioner Gregory Ch’oc and their staff visited the FOUR Southern communities of Medina Bank, Golden Stream, San Jose and Crique Jute where they met and held consultations with Alcaldes, Chairmen and villagers. In all the villages the leaders and residents expressed their gratitude for the visit and useful discussions about the Judgement of the CCJ and other topics of concern.

It is the Ministry’s policy to reach out to the communities and to listen and engage. In all respects, the visits were very successful, and the Ministers pledged to continue their tour and outreach.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarship Program

Continued from page 19 The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that the Embassy is now accepting applications for the 2022 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Taiwan Scholarship Program. This scholarship will allow Belizeans between the ages of 18 and 35 to attend undergraduate or graduate program of their choice at universities in Taiwan starting from academic year 2022 (commencing in September 2022). An optional one-year maximum Mandarin Language Enrichment Program (LEP) can be included to allow recipients to be prepared to undertake their studies if taught in mandarin. Scholarship recipients will be provided with a round trip economy class airfare, and a monthly stipend to cover housing, tuition fees, credit fees, insurance, and other relevant expenditures. Applicants are required to apply simultaneously with both (1) the Embassy and (2) the LEP/ degree school. Applications have to be submitted to Taiwan Embassy in person

by March 31, 2022.

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has been offering MOFA Taiwan Scholarship Program to Belizeans since 2004, and the quota for Belizean awardees has been significantly increased. In 2021, a total of 14 Belizeans went to Taiwan under this Scholarship.

The Taiwan Embassy welcomes eligible Belizeans to submit their applications.

For more information, please visit the Embassy’s official website http://www.taiwanembassy.org/BZ, under the section of “Taiwan Scholarships” or contact the Embassy via Tel: 227-8744, 223-1862 or e-mail at blz@mofa.gov. tw.

23 JAN

21

THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

PUBLIC AND BANK HOLIDAYS, 2022

Belmopan. November 17, 2021.

IT IS NOTIFIED for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and Second Schedules to Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, will be observed on the following days during the year 2022 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act: Day Date Occasion Day Date Occasion Saturday 1st January New Year’s Day Saturday 15th January George Price Day Monday 7th March National Heroes and Benefactors Day

(in lieu of Wed., 9th Mar) Friday 15th April Good Friday Saturday 16th April Holy Saturday Monday 18th April Easter Monday 7 NOV Monday 2nd May Labour Day (in lieu of Sunday, 1st May) Monday 1st August Emancipation Day Saturday 10th September St. George’s Caye Day Wednesday 21st September Independence TOURISM MINISTRY | YOUTH & SPORTS | COP26: More than 100 Day Monday 10th October Indigenous FOOTBALL FEDERATION countries pledge to endPeoples' Resistance Day

(in lieu of Wed., 12th Oct) deforestation by 2030 Saturday 19th November Garifuna Settlement Day Continued from page 2 Sunday 25th December Christmas Day warming the climate.

Monday 26th December BoxingdisappearDay BERGER FIELD REHABILITATION Yet, this natural climate buffer is rapidly

05 5

THE BELIZE TIMES

2021

THREE 5-A-SIDE SYNTHETIC FIELDS

ing. The world lost 258,000 square kilometres (99,600 square miles) of forest in 2020, according to WRI’s deforestation tracking initiative Global Forest Watch.

Michelle Passero, director of The Nature Conservancy’s climate change programme in California, called the agreement a “terrific start”.

“We need pledges like this to kick off COP26,” she told Al Jazeera from San Francisco in the United States.

HORNG TERNG AUTOMATION CO., “This is a really good start. We also need to connect all (“the Company”) the dots all the way to the ground, to engage communities and Indigenous communities in solutions.”

Monday’s agreement vastly expands a similar commitment made by 40 countries as part of the 2014 New York Declaration on Forests and goes further than ever before in laying out the resources to reach that goal.

President Joko Widodo of resource-rich Indonesia said his own archipelago’s rainforests, mangroves, seas and peatlands were key to restricting disastrous climate change.

“We are committed to protecting these critical carbon sinks and our natural capital for future generations,” he said Under the agreement, 12 countries, including the UK, have pledged to provide 8.75 billion pounds ($12bn) of public funding between 2021 and 2025 to help developing countries, including in efforts to restore degraded land and tackle wildfires. (Aljazeera.com)

NOTICE

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

Hon. Anthony Mahler, Area Representative for Pickstock and Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, has teamed up with Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance, and the Football Federation of Belize for the rehabilitation of the Berger Field in Belize City. This is the first step in many that will see the transformation of neglected spaces into fields for recreational and competitive sport across the country. The long-term goal is to implement sports into education to nurture the talent in athletes so they can compete and represent Belize internationally.

Memory will serve many of the HUGE billboard erected in November of 2012 that made people imagine a football pitch at the corner of Vernon and Sarstoon streets. The fake inauguration was just eight months after the elections that has been mired in allegations of immigra-

LTD. #100,230

Notice is hereby given that the Company named HORNG TERNG AUTOMATION CO., LTD. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 5th January, 2022.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

tion fraud which netted the UDP a 2nd term entrenched now in infamy. This was also the time of ‘Sanctuary Bay’ when it was all hush as the Prime Minister Barrow chaired ALL the cabinet meetings. Well, Berger Field was also a silent scandal as Belize Water Services with Chairman Alberto August present at the ceremonial handing over donated thirty thousand of the pledge One Hundred Fifty thousand. In hindsight, we can see the tobe Consul General to New York Herman Longsworth taking a picture beside the over anxious demoted August. Longsworth was infamously terminated after an Auditor General’s Report of Faber’s Ministry showed money’s for the Marion Jones Complex somehow ended up in the UDP Albert Division’s coffers and also in Longsworth’s personal account. That was too much revelation for PM Barrow still reeling

over Vega, Saldivar, Penner, Castro, Marin, and other of his Ministers. So it was easy to simply terminate the Counsel General. Is Herman Longsworth guilty of more? Question: How were those 30 thousand dollars used given that the Berger Field only got the billboard and NOTHING else from the UDP—sheer infamy.

The planBelize government as promised is looking for Public/Private type partnerships as it move forward in making Belize work for everyone. In this case, three synthetic five-a-side fields will be constructed beginning early next year—that is Minister Bernard’s word. Minister Mahler’s heart moved quickly on the onset of this government’s tenure to bring in Minister Bernard and the FFB in a tripartite effort to bring sports and positivity to the Southside of Belize City. Minister Mahler belongs to Pickstock; Berger Field is in the Albert Division; both divisions were ignored and abandoned

by Uncle Boots and Tracy who are prime examples of UDP incompetence that reigned for 13 dreadful years. Berger Field has been said to have been the birthplace of multiple football stars. All three parties are looking forward to this effort yielding more of that past glory. The divide between Belize’s winning at the Junior level and then dropping off at the senior/professional level. The professional level is all but none existent in Belize. Skilful teens seem to disappear into sports oblivion. Belize is talented enough to bridge the divide but it takes more efforts like the rehabilitation of Berger Field. This is an excellent much anticipated jumpstart.

BELIZE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT MAP

From USA

Alaska Airline Seattle & Los Angeles American Airlines Miami, Charlotte, Dallas & Los Angeles Delta Air Lines Atlanta & Minneapolis Frontier Orlando & Denver Southwest Houston (HOU) & Denver Sun Country Minneapolis United Houston (IAH) Chicago, Denver, Newark & Los Angeles

Orlando

From Canada Westjet Calgary & Toronto

From Mexico & Latin America COPA Panama City

TAG Guatemala City Tropic Air Cancun, Roatan & San Salvador

22

23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that Alexander Babb is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Carmita’s Fast Food” located at # 1 Regent Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Annette Vernon is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Tru D Lee’s Cool Spot” located in Burrell Boom Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Karen Bain is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Bain’s Quick Stop” located at # 59 Kelly Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jose Nelson Mejia is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Cocktail Bar & Lounge” located in Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Rexis Mejia is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Long Island Bar & Lounge” located at # 1223 Blue Marlin Boulevard, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Nisha Pelayo is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Lamanai Riverside Retreat” located at Lamanai Alley, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Tomasita Adelina Teck is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Tommy Fast Food” located in Guinea Grass Village , Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Amie Lorinia Copo is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “The Mojitos Restaurant & Bar” located at # 71 St. Teresita Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Vilma Amira Chable is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Amira Shop” located in San Pablo Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Reyna Isabel Delcid is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Pupuseria Dianita’s” located at # 64 Otro Benque Road, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Eric Perez is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Aguilar Mini Shop” located on Princess Diana Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Nayeli Delgado is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Nana’s Mini Mart” located at # 14D Progress Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that BSCFA Service Station is applying for a Convenience Store Liquor License to be operated at “BSCFA Service Station” located in Tower Hill , Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Maria Del Carmen De La Fuente is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Hotel De La Fuente” located at # 14 Main Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Maria Del Carmen De La Fuente is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Maracas Bar & Grill” located on Naranjal Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Noelia Cawich is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “The Secret Garden” located in Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Sarah Estela Cocom is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “E&K Family Shop” located in San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Aleida Ortega is applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Aleida’s” located in San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Arturo Melendez is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Sound Warehouse” located at # 36 Tangerine Street, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Evaristo M Novelo is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Xunan Cristina” located at # 20 Lover’s Lane, Orange Walk Town, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Mark Howells is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Lamanai Outpost Lodge” located in Indian Church Village, Orange Walk District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

2022

NOTICE

DENALI LIMITED #26,598 (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that the Company named DENALI LIMITED has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 11th December, 2021.

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NOTICE POSTech International Ltd. #138,910 (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that the Company named POSTech International Ltd. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 28th December, 2021.

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NOTICE

LOREX FINANCIAL GROUP LTD. #30,646 (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that the Company named LOREX FINANCIAL GROUP LTD. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 30th December, 2021.

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NOTICE IZREX INVESTMENTS LTD. #30,647 (“the Company”)

Notice is hereby given that the Company named IZREX INVESTMENTS LTD. has been dissolved and struck off the International Business Companies Register with effect from the 30th December, 2021.

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23 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES

2022

23

SPECIFIC PROCUREMENT NOTICE

RRB.CS.48 – ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and In vestment REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Resilient Rural Belize Programme

Specific Procurement Notice (SPN) REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Individual Consulting Services Development of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Administrative AssistantDevelopment of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan Strategy and Action Plan 2000002301 for 30 targeted Producers’ Organizations for 30 targeted Producers’ Organizations

Project country:

Belize

Financing institution:

International Fund for Agricultural Development

Client: Project name: Title: Procurement type: Procurement Post: Loan/Credit/Grant Financing No.

Background: The Government of Belize (GOB), with financing from the International Institution: Ministry of Economic Development Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Institution: Ministry of Economic Development Climate Fund (GCF), has emCountry: Belize barked on a six-year Programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize Project: Resilient Rural Belize Programme Country: Belize Loan No.: 2000002301 the impacts of climatic and economic events on smallholder farmers while supporting susProject: Resilient Rural Belize Programme Deadline for Submission of Proposals: February 11, 2022 at 3:00 PM. tainable market access for their produce. The programme will help farmers employ climate Loan No.: 2000002301 resilient agricultural practices and technologies; integrate profitable smallholder participaBackground: The Government of Belize (GOB), through a financing agreement with the tion into the development of select vegetable, fruit, and honey value chains; and support Deadline for Submission of Proposals: February 11, 2022 at 3:00 PM. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Green Climate Fund (GCF), has smallholder production capacity through investments in public and private climate resilient

embarked on a six-year Programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the infrastructure and in the strengthening of smallholder farmer Producers Organizations and impacts of climatic andthrough economic a events on smallholder farmerswith while supporting sustainBackground: The Government of Belize (GOB), financing agreement the relevant GOB Departments. able market access for their produce. The programme will help farmers employ climate International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and and technologies; Green Climate Fund (GCF), has Scope of Service: The Administrative Assistant will provide support to the Programme resilient agricultural practices integrate profitable smallholder participation into the development of select vegetables, and value chains; Manager and the RRB Programme Management Unit Staff to ensure the and Programme, embarked on efficient a six‐year Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which fruits, aims to honey minimize the and support smallholder production capacity through investments in public and private climate resilient effective execution of all required Programme implementation tasks. impacts of climatic and economic events on smallholder farmers while supporting sustainable infrastructure and in the strengthening of smallholder farmer Producers’ Organizations and Duties and Responsibilities: market access for their produce. relevant The programme will help farmers employ climate resilient GOB Departments.

• Be responsible for day-to-day project correspondence, information sharing andfilpractices and technologies; integrate profitable smallholder participation into the ing ensuring that appropriate follow-up actions areagricultural taken.

Scope of Work: • Maintain a record and filing system as repository ofdevelopment all pertinent Project of documents select vegetables, honey chains; and support smallholder The fruits, scope ofand the work has value been outlined below but is not limited to following: at the RRB Office both in hard and electronic copyproduction capacity through investments in public and private climate resilient infrastructure and files.

• Assist in the encoding of Project documents and reports (e.g. minutes, agreements, a) Review the RRB Programme Design Report to familiarize and to understand the in the strengthening of smallholder farmer Producers’ Organizations and relevant GOB objectives of the Programme, the activities that will be implemented to achieve those ob• MOUS, and presentation), as necessary; Departments. jectives, and how women and youth issues may affect the Programme’s ability to achieve • Prepare minutes of meetings as necessary. those objectives. Other documents include Gender Assessment and Action Plan, Gender in • Assist with the procurement of and manage all office supplies and consumables.

Climate Smart Agriculture, and How to Integrate Gender Issues in Climate-Smart Projects, • Maintain records of stock inventory.

Scope of Work: including the Organizational Development Plans and Business Plans that have been devel• Assist the Procurement Officer in the bidding process, as necessary. oped.

The scope of the work has been outlined below but is not limited to following: • Assist the Procurement Officer with the maintenance of the Contract Monitoring b) Conduct a participatory diagnosis with each producer organization to understand

database. the real reasons why gender inclusion in membership is not being considered, including the • Maintain and Update the Supplier/Vendor Listing in para)withReview the RRB Programme Design Report to familiarize and to understand the objectives the Procurement Ofspecific corrective measures for women and youth to be integrated as group members and be able to participate in training programs. ficer of the Programme, the activities that will be implemented to achieve those objectives, c) Based on the identification of the real reasons why moving towards gender equal• Organize all workshop/trainings, programme oversight committee meetings and and how women and youth issues may affect the Programme’s ability to achieve those ity is hampered, prepare, and submit a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy & both mission and staff meetings.

Actioninclude Plan for each PO: why and how to and do it. The plan Plan, should Gender include a short objectives. Other documents Gender Assessment Action in report (i.e. a • Prepare Minutes of Meetings as necessary.

2- pages) for each PO on the identification of barriers for female and youth (male, female) • Plan all events including publicizing of events, assisting withClimate Smart Agriculture, and How to Integrate Gender Issues in Climate‐Smart Projects, creation of flyers and participation (i.e. why), and then include affirmative actions (i.e. how to do it) to overcome promotional material, following up with guests and attendees, logistics coordinathe obstacles.

The affirmative actions in the short report should contain concrete recomincluding the Organizational Development Plans and Business Plans that have been tion, venue preparation and communication with relevant suppliers. mendations towards the inclusion of youth and women in their membership and in their developed.

• Organizing travel arrangements for programme staff, consultants and IFAD mismanagement committees and should also include the identification of learning routes and Conduct a participatory diagnosis with each producer organization to understand the real exchange visits to achieve gender equality. sion members (including procurement of tickets, airportb)transport and hotel reserTomembership help the targeted towards social inclusion, implement vations); reasons why gender inclusion d)in is POs not move being considered, including the 2 specific sensitization, trainings, awareness sessions for members of each PO to help convince them • Liaise with project counterparts on day-to-day implementation of project activities. specific corrective measures for women and youth to be integrated as group members on the benefits of having women and youth as official members of their group. The social • Support the Programme Manager and PMU Officers/Specialists as needed andinclusion in membership is part of the Organizational Development Plans (ODPs) in each of and be able to participate in training programs. undertake any other activity that may be assigned by the Programme Manager. the producer organizations.

c) Based on the identification of the real reasons why moving towards gender equality is e) During the training present the Social Inclusion and Gender Equality Plan for each

Academic Qualification and General Experience: The Administrative Assistant must hampered, prepare, and submit a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy & Action PO receiving the training. possess. f) With the support from the CSAEO of the RRB, organize the execution of the conPlan for each PO: why and how to do it. The plan should include a short report (i.e. a 2‐ sultancy; • Minimum of an associate degree in Business Administration, Management, Ecopages) for each PO on the identification of barriers for female and youth (male, female) g) Provide to the Programme with training and sensitization materials, including temnomics, Agribusiness and/or related field. platesthen and other instruments so that itactions can be utilized in interacting participation include affirmative (i.e. how to do with it) the to POs. • Minimum of three (3) years’ experience providing administrative assistant(i.e. ser- why), and vices. Experience working with IFI funded projects will be considered an the asset.obstacles. The affirmative actions in the short report should contain overcome Objectives of the Consultancy

concrete recommendations towards the of inclusion of youth women in their The main objective GESI mainstreaming is toand develop an integrated Strategy & Action Reporting: The Administrative Assistant will work closely with all the RRB PMU Ofplan tailormade for each Producer Organization to promote equitable management of benmanagement committees and should also include the membership and in their ficers especially the Procurement Officer but will report directly to the Programme Manager. efits and to encourage their participation throughout the project phase. The specific objecidentification of learning routes and exchange visits to achieve gender equality.

The duty station for the position will be at the Programme Management Unit in Belmopan tive of the assignment is as follows: To assist the 30 producer move towards2 social inclusion (how to do City. d) To help the targeted POs a.move towards social organizations inclusion, toimplement specific it and expected benefits) to consist of 40% women and 20% youth (ages 15 to 24) by the Clarifications: Any request for clarification should be sent via sensitization, e-mail to the address trainings, awareness sessions for end of the Programme; andmembers of each PO to help convince below no later than January 19, 2022, at 3:00pm. The client will provide responses to all b. To strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterthem on the benefits of having women and youth as official members of their group. The clarification requests by January 26, 2022 at 3:00pm. prise personnel in order to incorporate gender mainstreaming in their work program. social inclusion in membership is part of the Organizational Development Plans (ODPs) in Resilient Rural Belize Programme each of the producer organizations.

Consultant’s qualifications and experience Attn: Nadia Vernon The Social Gender Inclusion Consultant and mustGender possess a minimumPlan of a for bachelor’s degree in Gender e) During the training present the Equality each PO Procurement Officer Studies, Sociology, Social Work, Development Studies and/or Agriculture. receiving the training.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procurement procedures set out National Agriculture Showgrounds by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and is open to all eligible f) With the support from the CSAEO of the RRB, organize the execution of the consultancy; Hummingbird Highway, Belmopan City Email: Nvernon.rrb@med.gov.bz

Application Submission: Interested candidates are requested to submit ONE PDF FILE that shall include a Letter of Interest, Curriculum Vitae, and two (2) recommendation letters along with a copy of the highest degree. The deadline to submit applications is February 4, 2022, at 3:00p.m. via the following File Request Link: https://bit.ly/3ITaBHS (Note: No application submitted via email will be accepted) A consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in IFAD’ Project Procurement Handbook that can be accessed via the IFAD website at www.ifad.org/project-procurement. Interviews will be conducted as part of the selection process.

bidders as defined in the policies.

Consultants interested in receiving the Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) document should register their interest by sending an e-mail (with subject: Request for Expression of Interest -Development of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan for 30 targeted Producers’ Organizations) to the Procurement Consultant at Nvernon. rrb@med.gov.bz giving full contact details of the Consultant. This will ensure that the Consultants receive updates regardingthis RFP. Please submit your application using the Request for Expression of Interest document provided for this purpose. Your REOI shall be submitted electronically using the File Request Link below no later than February 11, 2022 at 3:00 PM. https://bit.ly/3f5frnE. Attn: Nadia Vernon Procurement Officer Resilient Rural Belize Programme Ministry of Economic Development National Agriculture Showgrounds Hummingbird Highway Belmopan, Belize

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

23 JAN

2022