The reduction marked the end of a long running sugar protocol, which guaranteed much higher than world market prices, but which was ruled by the World Trade Organization (WTFO) to be contrary to global free trade rules. In Guyana, the Caribbean leading producer, workers have been staging industrial action to support higher salaries; Jamaican growers have had their own pay dispute while the ailing Belize industry was recently rescued by a government bailout.
According to the BBC Caribbean Report, the state owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guys) says It is heading towards Its lowest annual production In two decades as a result of strikes, heavy rain and operational problems at its newest factory. Chief executive officer, Paul IBM said Guys will likely to produce no more than 198,000 tones this year, well below the 254,000 tones target set at the beginning of the year. In Jamaica, sugar harvest began on December 10 with one of its eight companies starting production after a pay dispute with farmers was resolved.
The From Sugar Estate in western Jamaica began milling operations, while the remaining factories are expected to get going late December ND early January. Authorities expect to produce 145,000 tones of sugar during this harvest, which Is expected to end In July. Cane farmers In Northern Belize have been receiving parents for last year’s crop after a cash crisis forced the postponement of the start of a new harvesting season. This was made possible after the government stepped in with a IIS$5 million loan. The company that runs the industry, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, was unable to complete the so called third payment to farmers.
The cash-strapped firm’s bankers pulled a line of credit, leading Prime Minister Dean Barrow to say that the industry was on the brink of collapse. The farmers will use the money to help prepare their farms for the next crop, which was expected to start In late November, but has been postponed. To see more of Caribbean News Now, go to http://www. Crossbowman’s. Com Copyright (c) 2010, Caribbean News Now, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Distributed by McCarthy- 1 OFF offered by McCarthy-Tribune Information Services (MAC), visit www. Micrometeorites. Com. Copyright of Caribbean News Now (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) is the property of
The $10 million is ready for disbursement, but the government is waiting on the bank waivers before releasing the funds to BBS. A release from the Belize Press Office states that the government has no control over this process, but remains optimistic draw down on the loan before the waivers are received because that will trigger a loan default of BBS, which could lead to immediate foreclosure and collapse of the industry. It is irresponsible, therefore, the release states, for the opposition to call for an immediate release of the loan funds to BBS.
If these news sources are accurate, then Belgians must urge our government to conduct an environmental impact study and pass strict environmental laws to deal tit the possible consequences that will occur from drilling oil in our country before they issue licenses to these companies. I am saying this because of my life experiences living in Dangling and Orange Walk Town. During my childhood we use to go to the North Satan Creek River, which possesses one of the best drinking water in the country of Belize to fetch water for our home usage.
In addition, we would go to Vermouth and bathe with the entire family on Saturdays and Sundays. , Today, if you go to Vermouth and bathe you will be there all by yourself because Dancing’s have discontinued bathing there like they use to due to the condition of the water. When I was a police officer in Orange Walk Town, I went diving looking for a child that had drowned in New River by the Ferry Bridge leading to San Estates and Progress Villages.
After three days of constantly diving and swimming in the river, my skin became infected due to the chemicals that are constantly being discharged into this river from the Tower Hill Sugar Factory Plant. Not only was my skin infected but plants, fish and other living organisms are also affected by these chemicals. In the villages of Pomona and Alt Vista in the Satan Creek District, there are two citrus plants doing the same thing by dumping chemical waste into our rivers and streams.
I have never heard of the governments of Belize complaining or bringing these companies to court for their illegal disposal of toxic substances and chemicals into our rivers and streams. The rivers’ and streams’ water is now contaminated and unfit for human consumption. I pray and hope that the water companies in Belize are not getting water for people to drink from these rivers and streams. Also, the increase in diseases will occur from drinking this water and the people will not be told how they became sick with their illnesses.
Belgians who die from certain diseases, sometimes their family members are not being given the true brought against these companies by the relatives of the affected individuals, for polluting our rivers and streams which subsequently led to the deaths of their loved ones. The oil companies are in the business of drilling oil to make money. The government’s responsibility is to pass laws to protect the interest of Belize citizens. We cannot afford to wait for disasters to occur and then wonder what we are going to o next. Belize possesses beautiful beaches, which attract millions of tourists coming to Belize.
Our fish and lobsters are being exported to several countries in the world. Divers from all over the world go to Belize for scuba diving. All these industries bring in a large sum of revenue to the government of Belize that helps to boost our economy and GAP. This new Belize government inherited a tax system that was favorable to many companies currently drilling for oil in the country. On my recent visit to Belize, the Western, Humming Bird and Southern highways were busy with oil inkers carrying crude oil to Big Creek in the Satan Creek District to be refined abroad.
Yet, the price of gas is now $10 and the average Belize citizen cannot afford to pay that price. It is now time for us to refine the oil in Belize and reduce the exportation of our crude oil and the importation of the same oil back into our country. This in my opinion will bring down the cost at the gas pump and make all Belgians happy. I was reliably informed that in the Mennonite communities, the cost of their fuel is cheaper. There should be no special arrangements for any specific roof of Belgians because we are all citizens of one country Belize.
It is constantly reported that vessels that negligently land and damage our coral reef are being fined severely for their careless acts. However, offshore drilling will bring about more severe damages to our water and beaches if that were to occur. The enforcement of the laws will be another issue to monitor because as I had outlined earlier in my past experience that area was lacking. If all these issues are addressed adequately, offshore drilling could bring Jobs and additional revenues to our country that is badly added to provide for our citizens who are in need.
