Court of Appeal decision regarding Telemedia

Press Release - Saturday, June 25, 2011 - Belize Press Office - On Friday June 24, 2011 the Belize Court of Appeal ruled that the acquisition of Belize Te-lemedia Limited by the Government of Belize, is unconstitutional. As a consequence of that decision Mr Dean Boyce, one of the successful appellants, went to Telemedia's headquarters on St Thomas street in Belize City and purported to take back the company. Government then got immediate legal advice as to the full import and consequence of the Court of Appeal decision. On the basis of that advice Government concluded that it was not open, without more, to Mr Boyce to assume control of the company. The Court of Ap-peal judgment is declaratory in nature, and by itself does not deprive Government of its de facto possession of the company. For that to happen the appellant Boyce would have to go back to court for an enforcement order telling Government to give up possession. Gov-ernment thus instructed its appointee, the Executive Chairman and the Telemedia Board, to continue in command of the company unless presented with a court order specifically placing the appellant Boyce in control.

Government stresses that in resisting Mr Boyce government is acting strictly in accor-dance with the law. In fact It was Boyce and his lawyer who tried to circumvent the court processes by moving without the specifically required order. And government actually waited until it could be absolutely sure of its legal ground before it decided to resist Boyce.

Government also makes clear that it will fight any application for an enforcement order, and that it has several bases on which to do so. Government has also taken steps to ap-peal to the CCJ the Friday decision of the Court of Appeal. And regardless of the outcome of Boyce's application for an enforcement order, the appeal will be carried on.

The Government of Belize is naturally extremely disappointed at the ruling of the Court of Appeal. It is at a loss to understand how, in all the circumstances, the Court could have come to its decision, which has the effect of thwarting the will of the Belizean people as exercised by a sovereign Government. Nevertheless our system of democracy and rule of law is such that the decision must be respected, even as Government exercises all op-tions which that very rule of law gives to government.
Government also regrets the uncertainty that the legal developments have caused, espe-cially to the staff of Telemedia but also to the wider public. But Government will now use every recourse to preserve the status quo.

Finally, the Government of Belize thanks the Belizean people for what Government is cer-tain will be the continuing solidarity with, and support for, the entirely just and necessary struggle against Billionaire arrogance and disrespect for national pride and national sovereignty.

The fight will be carried on and one way or another Belize will prevail.

End

Update from Ministry of Education

As a follow-up to our earlier release in light of the disruption in the transportation system, the Ministry of Education and Youth hereby updates parents, guardians, students, principals and managements of schools of the following with respect to the scheduled CXC Examinations today:

1. Students taking CXC Examinations today should make the effort to reach their examination centers without taking undue personal risks.

2. The Ministry of Education and Youth has been advised by the Caribbean Examinations Council that scheduled examinations are to begin on-time for students who arrive on time at the examination centers.

3. Students who are delayed because of the transportation disruption are to still make every effort to reach the examination center without taking undue personal risks. Once at the center, students will be allowed to start the examination late and will be given full-time to complete the examination.

4. Where a student is unable to reach his/her examination centre because of the transportation disruption they are advised to go to the nearest examination centre with their registration information/documentation and where arrangements can be made for them to sit the examination at that center.

The Ministry will remain in contact with the Caribbean Examinations Council to inform them of any further developments and to get further guidance from them. We will advise students sitting examinations and schools accordingly.

(ENDS)

Notice from Ministry of Education - Re: Transport System Disruption

Press Release - Belmopan, Ministry of Education - May 27, 2011 - In light of the disruption in the transportation system the Ministry of Education and Youth hereby informs parents, guardians, students, principals and managements of schools of the following:

1. Parents and guardians are advised that, while classes have not been called off, they are to take into due consideration the safety of their children in making a decision whether or not to send their children to school today under the circumstances.

2. Schools and managing authorities are to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of their students and members of staff present at school.

3. The Ministry of Education and Youth is seeking the advice of the Caribbean Examinations Council on how to proceed with respect to the CXC Examination that is scheduled today. Pending such advice from the Caribbean Examinations Council, students taking CXC Examinations today should make the effort to reach their examination centers without taking undue risks. As we get such feedback from CXC we will be making a public announcement via the radio stations. Parents, guardians and students are asked to listen to their radio stations for updated information on this.

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Marcel Cardona no longer considered a member of UDP...

In a letter leaked out of the United Democratic Party (UDP) office, Honorable Marcel Cardona is being chastised and effectively expelled from the UDP. Click on image below to view image larger.

Honorable Cardona declined comment, simply stating that he needed to review the letter with his legal advisor before commenting on the issue.

From Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD)

DO YOU AGREE WITH OFFSHORE DRILLING FOR OIL IN BELIZE?

ACCSD is part of the Belize Coalition against offshore drilling for oil. We are working on gathering enough signatures to call for a national referendum on the issue.

If you are a registered voter in Belize, We URGE you to come to the ACCSD office above Blu on Barrier Reef Drive opposite the Holiday Hotel and sign up to get the Government to listen to the people.

Our office hours are Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thanks in advance for your support.

Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development
63 Barrier Reef Drive
San Pedro Town
Belize
226-2799

Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development

Website - www.accsdbelize.com

Embracing development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Oceana Declares: "Government must immediately amend Petroleum Act"

Press Release - January 28, 2011 - Oceana - In the interest of good governance and good faith towards the people of this country the Barrow Administration needs to immediately amend Section 13 of the Petroleum Act.

There is need for comprehensive revision of the entire Petroleum Act Chapter 225 Laws of Belize but there are sections that need to be amended immediately. Section 13 of the Petroleum Act has been abused by both government administrations, so much so that all, except one, petroleum contract have been and continues to be given out behind closed doors at Cabinet.

Section 13 provides for open competitive bidding, but also has proviso three which removes this layer to transparency and accountability and allows the Minister “with the approval of the Cabinet, [to] select contractors other than through competitive bidding procedures in the following cases-
(a) where the technical or economic circumstances make it advisable; or
(b) where he determines that the circumstances so require.”

The recent revelation in the 2010 Petroleum contract Maps obtained by Oceana from the Department of Petroleum & Geology is a clear indication that companies such as Paradise Energy, with no Petroleum experience in violation of Section 11, will continue to obtain oil leases unknown to the Belize people, who are the true owner of oil rights in this country.

“The government only holds these rights on trust Belizeans”, explained Oceana VP Audrey Matura-shepherd. “We must continue to demand accountability and transparency, but sadly every government has sought to ignore subsections 1 and 2 of Section 13 of the law because it suits their purpose, which is not to be transparent and not to be accountable to the people of Belize when entering these deals”

Section 13 Petroleum Act says that “selection of contracts should be carried out through public competitive bidding or such other competitive procedure as may be determined by the Minister”. It also states that the minister “shall publish in the Gazzette a description of the areas for which bids are to be solicited along with the procedures and rules relating to the submission of such bids”.

Matura-Shepherd explains that “this is never done because the open competitive bidding process is completely circumvented and the Minister applies the exception which is to go behind closed doors in Cabinet unknown to the unsuspecting Belizean people and using Section 13 (3) it appears that the Minister always seems to “determine that the circumstances require” secret issuing of contracts…. this cannot continue!”

Oceana is concerned that the now relinquished OPIC block vacant since October 2010 can secretly be given out again using the provisions of the law, which must not stand.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Audrey Matura-Shepherd

610-0702.

Urban Agriculture Program in South Side Belize City

- Press Release - Belmopan - December 7, 2010 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in conjunction with RESTORE Belize Programme is pleased to invite members of the public to attend the launching of the “Urban Agriculture Project in South Side - Belize City” to be held on Thursday December 9th, 2010 commencing at 10:00 a.m. at the Wilton Cumberbatch Field, Cor. Faber's Road and Caesar Ridge Rd., Belize City.

This collaborative effort between the Belize District Agriculture Department and RESTORE BELIZE PROGRAM is aimed at establishing backyard/home and school gardens to grow short term vegetables/condiments/herbs that will help citizens supplement their diet. This initiative is in line with the Ministry’s mandate of promoting food security; income generation; and poverty reduction.

Edmund Castro is no longer a Minister of State

- Press Release - Office of the Prime Minister - Belmopan - November 24th, 2010 - The Office of the Prime Minister announces that the Prime Minister has, with immediate effect, removed Hon. Edmund Castro as a Minister of State. The decision was taken following a report made to the Prime Minister about an incident involving Hon. Castro. The Prime Minister was satisfied, after due consideration, that the report was substantially accurate; and that Hon. Castro had engaged in behavior inconsistent with the high standards of propriety to which the Prime Minister seeks to hold his ministers.

Accordingly, in keeping with his personal commitment to the electorate, and the UDP Administration’s general determination to practice good governance, the Prime Minister has acted.The question of a replacement Minister of State in the Ministry of Works, is one to which the Prime Minister will later give his attention.

Edmund Castro

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Costa Rican Ambassador presents Credentials

-Press Release - Belmopan - 22nd November, 2010 - An Ambassador today presented her credentials to the Governor-General of Belize at Belize House in Belmopan.

Her Excellency, Dr. Ingrid Herrmann Escribano, on presenting her Credentials as Costa Rica’s ambassador to Belize, told His Excellency Dr. Colville Young, that she felt extremely distinguished and honoured to have been given this privilege to represent her country in Belize. She pledged to do everything possible to continue fostering the already excellent relations between the two countries.

For his part, the Governor-General told Ambassador Escribano that Belize is honoured to have a representative from Costa Rica of her caliber and distinction. He invited her to set aside some time from her professional schedule to visit the many natural wonders Belize has to offer.