OCEANA: Offshore Oil Exploration is a Definite "NO" for Belize

Press Release – Oceana – May 11, 2010 - Oceana is opposed to any offshore drilling in Belizean territorial waters and says all it takes is one spill of the magnitude of the Gulf Oil spill for Belize to lose everything. The recently released map prepared February 2010 by the Geology and Petroleum Department has confirmed previous speculation that massive oil exploration concessions have been granted throughout the country of Belize. This map shows that even the territorial waters of Belize has been divided up amongst eight of the seventeen companies which are grantees of these lease.

Oceana is gravely concerned with the concessions already granted in Belize’s territorial waters especially seeing that they include declared reserves and national parks. A decision of this magnitude that can wipe out our tourism and fishing industry, eliminate our marine food security and devastate the viability of coastal communities, should be a transparent process with input from all social partners and the general public. It is therefore necessary for the Government to promptly explain the rational behind the massive parceling of our marine territory including areas encompassing our reef and atolls.

Oceana’s VP for Belize, Audrey Matura-Shepherd stated that “while we wish for our country to develop and progress we cannot do so to the detriment of our long-term survival. The recent spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana has shown us that even a rich and highly advanced country like the great USA is not equipped to handle such disaster, and thus this should teach us to proceed with much caution as one accident ten times less can wipe out our entire coastline and send Belize into an economic depression never seen before.”

In addition Oceana calls on the people of Belize to become more informed and involved in this issue since it will not only affect those living along the coast or near inland wells. The people of this country stand to gain very little from any oil exploration since as the recent disclosure of BNE’s operation and agreements have shown the bulk of the wealth from oil extracted does not remain in Belize. Belize as a country has not become any richer; nor any more developed as a result of the ongoing oil extraction taking place since the returns do not measure up to the risk taken. This risk is even more grave in our waters because of the ocean currents and the fragility of the marine eco-system.

Oceana calls on the Government of Belize to place a complete halt on all planned offshore exploration and to revoke all leases presently granted on our territorial waters.

(See Map Attached)

GOB JURISDICTION OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL ABOLISHED

GOB Press Release – May 11, 2010

The jurisdiction of the Privy Council to hear appeals from Belize has been abolished with effect from 1st June 2010.
This follows from the Orders issued by the Prime Minister, Hon Dean Barrow, to bring into force the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act and the Caribbean Court of Justice Act with effect from the said date. These Orders were published in the Belize Gazette dated 1st May 2010.
The Caribbean Court of Justice will now replace the Privy Council as the highest Court of Appeal for Belize. This will not, however, affect any appeals pending before the Privy Council on the 31st May 2010.

The Caribbean Court of Justice, commonly known as “CCJ”, was established by Caribbean countries on the 14th February 2001. So far, only Barbados and Guyana have joined the CCJ. Belize will be the third country to do so.
The present seat of the Caribbean Court of Justice is in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. However, the Agreement establishing the CCJ provides that the Court may sit in the territory of any other Contracting Party as the circumstances may require.

The removal of the age-old Privy Council as the highest Court for Belize and its replacement by the Caribbean Court of Justice represents a major landmark in the constitutional and legal history of Belize and has been widely welcomed among the Caribbean Community.

Caye Caulker shooting leaves one dead, one officer detained

Alpheus Parham

At around 5:20pm on May 9th 2010, P.C. #437, Alpheus Parham and a special constable responded to reports of a male person behaving in a disorderly manner at The Split area in Caye Caulker. As a result, a male person by the name of Alex Goff was detained and escorted to the Police Station.
Shortly after, a second incident occurred at the police station. Acting upon information received, the Police responded to the eastern cell block of the Caye Caulker Police Station where the lifeless body of a dark skinned male person was seen in a sitting position against the wall, suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the forehead.
The body was later identified as one Alex Goff, 31, of #33 Mopan St., Belize City. Initial Investigation revealed that the victim was detained and escorted to the Caye Caulker police station where he was placed inside the cell block for disorderly conduct and assaulting a Police Officer.

After Goff was placed inside the cell, he continued to make noise, and P.C. # 437 Alpheus Parham re-visited the cell block and began speaking to him. The diarist reported hearing a loud bang then immediately saw the officer exit the cell and placed a .38 revolver inside the diarist desk [drawer], subsequently the officer left the station.

The other officer on duty then made checks inside the cell where he reportedly saw the victim bleeding from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the forehead. The body was transported to K.H.M.H. where it awaits a post mortem. The .38 revolver has been recovered. As is customary when a shooting involves a police officer The Office of Internal Affairs and Discipline is conducting an intensive investigation. Officer Parham is detained pending charges.

ABC Pre-School celebrates Mommies

ABC Pre-school students had a special Mother's Day treat for their mommies this morning as they sang a special song, gave them hand-made roses then joined them in creating some beautiful arts and crafts. Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommies on the island and throughout the world!!

May 10th is celebrated by many as Mother's Day.

SP mothers enjoy a night of fun and laughter

Every year, The San Pedro Town Council puts on a fabulous show for mothers across the island, complete with a comedian/singer/actor to entertain on stage. They are fed a delicious meal and treated to ice cold drinks throughout the night. Young volunteers help out with serving all the lovely mothers who come out for a good time. This year was no exception, as Angel Velasquez, "El Tauch" and company, from Merida, Yucatan, kept the good times rolling. Saturday night (May 8) saw hundreds of mothers seated at the old football field (Saca Chispas), taking in the show and enjoying a night of fun and revelry. At the end of the evening, as is traditionally done, the 2010 Mother of the Year was announced. Taking the title this year was Mrs. Leonor Trejo.

Mother of the Year, 2010 - Mrs. Leonor Trejo

Tauch kept the crowd roaring with laughter with his irreverent jokes. Audience participation is a must, and always brings big smiles...

Mothers delighted in the show, which was a blend of naughty and nice, and kept them laughing through the night.

The stage was filled with music, dance, special routines, and at times the act would hit the audience, as The Mask did...

Paquita la del Barrio

Michael Jackson's thriller

Pimpinela

This special mother, Patti "Yeye" was not happy until she got on stage for a photo with Tauch

An eager fan, Luis, made sure to go backstage for his picture with the entire cast.