Every term we are promised that electricity will be placed on the north side of the island as well as other parts where residential areas are being built. Residents who build where there is no connectivity to electricity have to create their own form of electricity therefore resulting in more expenses.

BEL claims to lose money on Caye Caulker because they don't make enough from the customers to subsidize the cost of the plant. Should the Government of Belize intervene? Some residents think that if the Government would intervene and help the islanders expand the island, it will definitely make a difference with the progress of the island. We have to accept the fact that more tourists are coming to Caye Caulker and if these issues don't get attended to, we will remain "stuck" and the island will never expand for the betterment of everyone as tourism is what we depend on.

A resident who lives at the South Point near the airstrip was hoping to get neighbors to get power to their residential area but BEL had given them a quote of $401,000.00 Belize Dollars for lines to run along the airstrip. If quotations are given at this rate, the island will never develop. Isn't this the job of the Village Council to push this issue to the Government especially to the Area Representative, for electricity to be placed in areas where it is needed? Yes they might have transferred underwater cables to the other side but is that it?? A plan needs to be done and push this issue so that it can be done and get the progress of the island moving instead of the topic being conversed and publicized around election time, sitting and waiting for something to start.

Would the Government of Belize allow for a private solar company to come in and fulfill the power needs on this island? Would they give such access to such company to dig the roads and lay wires and other necessary things to have this up and running? There are many possibilities to get power to where it is needed.

It is necessary to ease the congestion of the 1 mile town center which is quickly becoming commercialized, forcing people to move to the outskirts of the village or on the north side where there is no power. The Government of Belize had allocated lots some 10 years ago but since there is no power they are still hesitant in moving because of the hardships they would endure because of no electricity .

For once let's leave politics aside and get together as an island and work for what needs to be done for our island to be what we want it to be.

Caye Caulker Chronicles