Office of the Prime Minister

Cabinet Meeting of February 7, 2006

Belmopan - 07 February, 2006.
Cabinet met in regular session on Tuesday, February 7, 2006.

The following items are submitted for public information:

GOB to re-structure local bus transportation industry

Cabinet has approved proposals to re-structure the bus transportation industry in Belize to promote a policy of managed competition while ensuring continuity, reliability, safety and convenience for commuters.

The new policy will include zoning of routes, public management of the terminals, the formation of a Transport Authority and re-structuring of the existing Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications.

For administrative purposes the national transportation system will be demarcated into three zones (A. Western Highway – Belize City to Benque Viejo; B. Southern and Hummingbird Highways – Belize City to Punta Gorda; and C. Northern Highway – Belize City to Corozal). Providers will be able to apply for permits for an entire zone at one rate, or for a sub-zone. There will be no national exclusivity under consideration in permit approval.

An important change in the structure of the industry is the decision to have publicly owned and managed bus terminals in all municipalities, as well as designated, properly designed and constructed bus stops along the major highways. The terminals will be managed through a Bus Transit Unit, which will be under the direct charge of the new Transport Authority.

Cabinet has authorized the Ministry of Works to proceed with the transition process, which will begin immediately with the terminal management and conclude with the setting up of the Belize Transport Authority by April of this year.

$6.5 millions spent on social projects

Cabinet received a report from the Ministry of National Development reviewing the status of outstanding approved community sub-projects managed by the Social Investment Fund over the past year.

As at December 31, 2005, expenditure for community sub-projects funded by the Commonwealth Debt Initiative Programme (CDI), Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF 5) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) loan amounted to $6,583,948. Of this amount, $1,798,708 was spent on education; $89,104 for health; $84,138 for skills training; $98,000 for maintenance; $52,000 for economic infrastructure; $22,228 for social services; and $100,000 to St. John’s Credit Union for housing loans in the Collett, Lake Independence and Port Loyola areas of Belize City.

Future works under these programmes will concentrate on rural water systems, construction and expansion of primary schools countrywide, and social projects benefiting the elderly as well as rural road upgradings.

Schools out for municipal elections

Cabinet agreed that all primary and secondary schools in the cities and towns of Belize will be closed on Municipal Election Day, March 1, 2006.

The next Cabinet meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2006.

For further information contact:

ROBERT LESLIE
Cabinet Secretary

February 7, 2006.