Belmopan. 07th November 2024.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met on November 5th, 2024.
- Demonstrating Belize’s firm commitment to delivering justice, Cabinet supported the establishment of a Criminal Justice Board, a multi-sectoral body that would undertake a comprehensive review of the nation’s criminal justice, with the goal to develop practical solutions to address issues plaguing the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice Board in reviewing the existing inferior appellate regime has encountered an issue that requires legislative intervention. In this regard, Cabinet approved an amendment to the Senior Court’s Act to allow for expansion of the provision for substituted services through public advertisement. With this amendment, the Senior Courts will be able to effectively deal with the backlog of inferior appeals and to give notice of the date, time, and place of an appeal and reasonable opportunity for the appellant appearing before the court.
- Cabinet endorsed the Belize National Electrification Plan, developed through a partnership with the Government, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and stakeholders in the Energy Sector to create a least cost rural electrification roadmap to ensure universal access by 2030, in accordance with #PlanBelize and the sustainable goals committed to by Belize. Through this plan, unelectrified households, including residential, small commercial buildings like schools and clinics, should all be electrified by 2030.
- Cabinet endorsed the decision by the Minister of Human Development, Families & Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to change the name of the Women’s Department to the Family Support and Gender Affairs Department. This new name will more clearly reflect the Department’s mission and aligns with the Ministry’s guiding principles of equality and inclusion, as well as the strategic goals outlined in #PlanBelize.
- Cabinet approved the designation of San Pedro as a port for enhancing maritime governance, safety, and operational efficiency in San Pedro and its surrounding waters. This will enable the establishment of clear port limits, stringent safety and security measures, and the provision of essential port services.
- Cabinet gave its approval to introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives for the National Assembly of Belize to join the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an organization that promotes peace through parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development around the world.
- Finally, Cabinet extends its condolences to the family of Ms. Nadia Cattouse and pays tribute to the life and work of this true Belizean patriot, who lived in the United Kingdom and helped many Belizeans and other Caribbean Nationals to settle when they moved to the UK. Nadia will be remembered for her role in helping the Father of the Nation, George Price, and his delegation to return home from the UK when discussions with the British broke down in 1957 over Belize’s right to self-determination and independence.
Ends
