Belmopan. April 26, 2021. 5:00 p.m.
Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing hereby clarifies the details of a traffic incident that occurred on April 23, 2021, involving one of its vehicles.
On Friday, April 23, a civil engineer engaged with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing for the past 11 years was on a field trip to monitor and inspect ongoing contract works between miles 8.5 and 13 on the Philip Goldson Highway and miles 1 and 4 on the George Price Highway, Belize District.
While returning from Belize City to Benque Viejo, where he resides, he lost control of his government-assigned pickup truck (CYB 3301) between miles 64 and 65 on the George Price Highway. The driver ran into a concrete culvert headwall and overturned near the ITVET (CET) School in San Ignacio Town.
The incident occurred around 10:50 p.m. and was reported to police who, along with Scenes of Crime, responded and investigated the matter. Based on the investigation, the Ministry notes that the public officer involved breached the internal vehicle use policy and therefore intends to write to the Public Services Commission recommending that the public officer be suspended without pay and be surcharged for damages to vehicle.
Notwithstanding the incident occurring after working hours, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing clarifies to the public that some of its technical officers are on call at any time of the night, including weekends, to respond to road-related emergencies. These public officers are assigned vehicles to enable them to perform their duties.
The Ministry regrets the incident but assures the public that the use and security of its vehicular and other equipment assets are of paramount importance to the Ministry and shall be managed and protected in compliance with the relevant stores and financial orders.
Ends
