2 months ago
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The Government of Belize today brought forward a significant financing proposal to the House of Representatives: a US $34.5 million loan motion from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to fund the rehabilitation of the George Price Highway from Belize City to Hattieville. The project, spanning approximately 15 miles, aims to modernize one of the country’s busiest road corridors. The Government says the funds will upgrade the highway to international standards, improve drainage, elevate vulnerable sections to withstand climate hazards, enhance safety for motorists and pedestrians, and finance the full replacement of the Burdon Canal Bridge. Under the proposed agreement, US $25.98 million would come from the Bank’s Ordinary Capital Resources at 4.9% interest, repayable over 68 quarterly instalments beginning five years after signing. An additional EU €8 million (US $8.56 million equivalent) would be sourced from the Bank’s Special Funds Resources at 1.4% interest, also over 68 quarterly instalments after a five-year grace period. Prime Minister Briceno gave an introduction of the loan motion.
John Briceño, Prime Minister: “This project is the improvement, as I mentioned, of the 24-kilometer section of the George Price Highway from Belize City to Hattieville to improve its safety, accessibility, and efficiency in Belize. The expected outcome of the project is improved efficiency, accessibility, safety, and resilience of the George Price Highway again from Belize City to Hattieville. This will, among other things, improve this road to international standards. We all travel that road, most of us several times a week and we can see how dangerous that portion of the road has become. And we have to improve the drainage and increase the road elevations at selected locations to enhance resilience to climate hazards and to improve safety for all road users. We know that whenever we have a big storm hitting this area in the Belize City area, that area is the first year that gets flooded out. And the hurricanes, many instances, Belize is cut off from this part of the country. So it’s important, as the minister, and I’m sure he will be able to explain more for infrastructure development, as pointed out that the amount of water now that we are having the drains that were put in there probably about 50 years or so ago cannot withstand that deluge that’s coming through these drains and these culverts.”
The government maintained that the road rehabilitation project is essential for public safety, national infrastructure resilience, and economic mobility for commuters and commercial transport. However, the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, raised concerns during the debate, alleging that the Government is not sufficiently transparent about the full scope, costing, and commitments attached to the loan.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “This $69 million represents $4.6 million a mile. And the government comes to us in this honorable house, simply expecting another clap and approval, no questions are to be asked. No information is provided as though we are negotiating chump change as many of us would say. This, Madam Speaker, if my information is right and I believe it is, represents the most expensive stretches of highway the country has ever seen.”
Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “I do admit the shoulders need a little patching but definitely it shouldn’t cost $69 million dollars. And it’’s not even hot mix they will use Madam Speaker, it’s not hot mix, there’s not mention about hot mix in the details. It was just a summary Madam Speaker. Belcan to Buttwood Bay Boulevard roundabout $2.4 million dollars. La Democracia to Belmopan $3 million dollars a mile. Belize City to Hattieville $4.6 million dollars a mile Madam Speaker. My God that person that did the estimation must have really overestimated something or some zeros or something went wrong. It makes me wonder sometimes if this is a part of the package for retirement for the guys you know ? Where are the cost benefits reports? The drainage designs? Engineer assessment ? Procurement plans ? Who is on the tender list ? Let the people of Belize know. Stop treating Belizeans like we do not know better.”
The Opposition is calling for more detailed disclosures before the motion is approved, arguing that Belizeans deserve clearer financial breakdowns and long-term repayment implications. Meanwhile, the Government insists the loan falls squarely within the framework of the Loans (Caribbean Development Bank) Act and is necessary to modernize the country’s most heavily travelled highway. Responding to the LOO and comments made by the Area Representative for Mesopotamia, Lee Mark Chang was the Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat.
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing: “I keep hearing here that both, not both, three members are speaking about. prime minister, about accountability and transparency and that we don’t share information with them. But the last administration had to be taken to court because they spent $1.5 billion and refused to bring any information to court. I must say, illegally too Madam Speaker, because it is against the law, it is a criminal offense to not bring these loans, because not only do you have to bring the loan request you have to bring the loan request, when you’re done signing the contract you have to ask permission to spend the money, it’s a whole process and we have tediously come…..”
Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “Madam Speaker, point of order.”
House Speaker: “What is your point of order ?”
Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “It has nothing to do with the bridge or the loan Madam Speaker, it has nothing to do with it. Thank you.”
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing: “Don’t let any bush lawyer over there tell you that it doesn’t have feasibility study, no environmental, these international financial institutions do not lend loans if you do not provide the necessary documentation and studies. All of those studies are there.”
The motion was further deliberated in the House and is set to be passed to the Senate for ratification. /
English (US) ·