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An Update on Proposed Stake Bank Causeways

The conservation community has come out against the proposed causeways that are a major part of the Stake Bank multibillion-dollar cruise port project in the Belize City harbour. Earlier this year, it was revealed that approval was issued by NEAC years ago, giving developers the green light to proceed as planned. That document is now before Cabinet for its review. Sustainable Development C.E.O. Doctor Kenrick Williams gave an update on where that project stands.

Dr. Kenrick Williams, C.E.O., Ministry of Sustainable Development

"That's another ongoing process. There is a document indicating that there was approval for the causeway via the ECP of 2019; I think August of 2019. A report was requested by cabinet from Mister Alegria; that was provided and now that is being reviewed by cabinet to see the veracity of those claims and how do we move forward with this process."

Reporter

"From what you've seen in those documents produced, is there in your mind a clear permission that NEAC gave to Stake Bank that would give them this assertion that they have this position to move forward with what is a major part of their project?"

Dr. Kenrick Williams

"Right. Well I mean the Chief Environmental Officer has certain powers within the law. The Environmental Protection Act empowers him to grant certain approvals through the ECP process and so there may be some value to that. Again, that is being looked at by cabinet."

Channel 5

Waterloo Cites Bribe Solicitation In Appeal

Things are heating up in the battle of the cruise ports. As you may recall, Waterloo Investments Holdings' contender was rejected by the DOE on the recommendation of NEAC. Waterloo then issued a press release accusing some NEAC members of soliciting bribes from them, and insisted that their refusal to pay up is what caused the members to vote against them. Now, these were just accusations and as the Minister of Sustainable Development had said, proof was needed to start an investigation. Well, Waterloo is now taking the matter to court. In a recent release, the company said that it has formally lodged its appeal against the decision of the DOE with the Minister, Orlando Habet. They remain convinced that, quote, "the reasons provided by the DOE for denying environmental clearance of its proposed project at Port Loyola are flawed, legally unsound and unable to withstand judicial scrutiny."

In its appeal, Waterloo has set out the grounds on which they are challenging the decision and is hoping to present their case at an early and fair hearing of the appeal on a date scheduled by the minister.

The company feels as though they were scrutinized on a different standard than their proposed competition and as such believe the process was fundamentally unfair to them.

In a statement by Waterloo's CEO, Steward Howard, he said, quote, "Our commitment to this project is manifest from the BZ$10 million already invested in preparatory studies and unprecedented, scientific analysis. To have denied environmental clearance to this project on the basis of spurious allegations of incomplete information rather than requiring any perceived deficiencies to be addressed is unreasonable and against elementary principles of fairness." End quote.

They will be seeking an order reversing the decision of the DOE to accept the recommendation of the NEAC not to grant the ECP.

Channel 7