Join The Honorable Andre Perez on tomorrow morning as he addresses both the Caye Caulker and San Pedro Community

"Join me Monday morning, as I address our communities of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. We will discuss the state of affairs of both the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation as well as how we will proceed as a constituency.
Monday, November 30th, LIVE on PUP Belize Rural South Facebook page, at 8.30am."

The Honorable Andre Perez is Live now as he addresses both the Caye Caulker and San Pedro Community



Hon. Minister Andre Perez would like to give thanks to everyone who tuned in for the morning live update on the state of affairs of our beloved country and also for Belize Rural south. We hope that this conversation shed some light to ongoing issues that our governmet is currently doing their best to address.

Hon. Andre Perez unveils plans for Belize Rural South and discusses challenges in his Ministry of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation

Area Representative for Belize Rural South (BRS) Honourable Andre Perez addressed his constituency via live feed on Facebook on Monday, November 30th, to discuss his plans to address issues affecting the coastal constituency immediately. As head of the Ministry of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Perez gave an overview of what his portfolio is all about and thanked his constituents for the opportunity to represent them in Central Government. Perez indicated that the Blue Economy portfolio deals with leading the way and finding a balance when accessing the wealth of the oceans. The aim is to grow the economy and create more jobs by responsibly using ocean resources. Perez said that they would work along with environmentalists and everyone in those municipalities that advocate for preserving the local environment. He emphasized finding the equilibrium to access the marine riches without harming this fragile resource.`

The Area Representative said that his team is working to bring back the flu clinic at Mar de Tumbo, which was affected by the recent floods caused by severe weather. The other main issue is the deteriorated conditions of the streets caused by the heavy rainfall. Perez shared good news saying that he managed to negotiate with different parties on the island and secured 500 loads of hardcore material to fix the badly damaged streets. Perez said that when the plan is ready on how this project will be executed, the San Pedro Town Council will be informed and invited to be part of the street rehabilitation. “We will be launching a massive road restoration,” said Perez. He added that expertise from the Ministry of Works would be contacted to add to the enhancement of the streets so they can count with proper drainage and more extended durability. A similar plan is in the works for Caye Caulker Village. Works are expected to start shaping up as soon as next week.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

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Blue Economy Minister Says Put A Hold On Waterloo

The public consultation for the proposed Port of Belize expansion project to include cruise ship terminal decks saw much opposition from not only the public but several environmental NGO's.

And taking all that very much into account in the new blue government is the new Ministry of the Blue Economy.

Blue economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods, and that's why they have been keeping a close eye on the Waterloo Investment Holdings expansion project. The CEO, Kennedy Carrillo, even called into the public consultation to ensure that the Ministry is involved in every step of the process.

And today, the Minister, Andre Perez, via a Facebook Live video, is asking for the project to be suspended while the country recovers from recent disasters such as the flooding and, of course, the pandemic. Here's how he put it:

Hon. Andre Perez, Minister, Blue Economy & Civil Aviation

"I will actively pursue this consultation to please take a break, take it easy. Yes I want to listen, yes we want to dialogue, listen to all parties involved, but at this point in time the urgency of our nation - there are many other matters of national importance that require immediate attention such as the floods that just occurred, we have damage in agriculture, livestock, floodings all over the place. Here in San Pedro and Caye Caulker we have badly damaged roads right here that is costing in the millions to repair, the economic crisis right now, unemployment is rampant in particular here in Caye Caulker and San Pedro - all of these things that we must focus on that these require immediate short term solutions and I will ask respectfully to the consultations and everything that we must put it on hold - although it is a long term project that may have some economic impact whether positive or negative to this country, I believe that we need to put it on hold to look at it."

The project has not been approved as yet, but the major concern is the amount of dredging and ocean dumping that is required and the damage to the barrier reef it may cause.

Notably, no CEO has been named for the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management which would have key inputs into any decision on this project.

Channel 7