Government prepares to transition Port of Belize Limited; stevedores ‘come up’ for Christmas

Published by BBNTEAM at December 11, 2023

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Posted: Monday, December 11, 2023. 1:39 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: As the Senate this morning debated the legislation that will confirm the settlement of the receivership of Port of Belize Limited, the office of Prime Minister John Briceño began preparations for its expected approval.

The interim board of directors has been named as follows: chairman Gilbert Canton, Sr.; Senator Elena Smith; attorney Pricilla Banner and accountant Warren Coye; businesswoman Leidi Urbina; engineer Carlton Young and the chairman of the Belize Port Authority, Major Lloyd Jones (Retired). A non-voting observer from the Ministry of Finance will also be appointed.

With the litigation between the Christian Workers Union (CWU) and the Port soon to be lifted, the $400,000 payment to stevedores issued last year that was frozen by court injunction should soon be available, the Government confirms.

Pending approval by the Senate and assent by the Governor-General, the Port’s assets and operations will be taken over, and urgent attention will be paid to engaging with staff and labor representatives and commencing a program of improvements to the Port facilities as pledged by Prime Minister Briceño during the House debate.

The Government also pledges that “No interruptions to the ongoing operations of the Port are expected as the ownership transition unfolds later this week.”

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