Environment
Department of the Environment opens office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
An official ceremony occurred on Friday, June 21st, to inaugurate the Department of the Environment (DOE) office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The office space will also accommodate the Belize Forest Department and will not only serve Ambergris Caye but Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel. The event was held at the Boca del Rio Beach Park and consisted of a brief ceremony attended by officials and guests. Area Representative and Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management, the Honourable Andre Perez, Minister of Sustainable Development, the Honourable Orlando Habet, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai, and Councilor Jose Castellanos were present to officiate this significant milestone for the island.
Local News
BEL managing delays in the installation of the San Pedro Mobile Gas Turbine
Despite the reduction in planned power outages by the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), the power supply remains unstable across the country. The power crisis has impacted San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, and BEL had hoped to install a mobile gas turbine by mid-June to bolster the power supply to the island. However, this plan has encountered setbacks due to the failure of one of the transformers connecting the gas turbine to the national grid. As a result, residents are informed that there will be a delay in getting the gas turbine up and running as the company needs to acquire a replacement transformer for the facility. The new expected timeline for the completion of the gas turbine installation is the end of July.
Local News
Mayor discusses solutions for heavy vehicles and traffic on the island
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, the fastest-growing municipality in Belize, is grappling with a critical issue - traffic congestion and the flow of large vehicles through its downtown area. Mayor Gualberto' Wally' Nuñez has stressed the situation's urgency, affirming that his administration is actively working towards solutions to this longstanding concern and ensuring all residents' safety.
Local News
Unsustainable power services may pose a threat to the tourism industry
The power crisis in Belize is ongoing, with planned power outages, also known as 'load shedding,' happening daily across the country. This measure, implemented by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), stabilizes the national grid and meets power demands. Power rationing is a concern in areas like San Pedro, Ambergris Caye as it impacts the tourism industry. Many stakeholders have reported losses due to this issue but remain hopeful that if the crisis is addressed correctly, it will not significantly affect the country's leading tourism destination.
Local News
Drought affecting Belize may cause further power rationing
The country is currently experiencing a severe drought, which is not only affecting the agricultural sector but also threatening energy as well. For the past weeks, the water level at the Fortis Dam hydroelectric reservoir has been dwindling, and its management has stated that there will be only enough water for about two more weeks.
Environment
The Department of the Environment to open office in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
After years of community requests, the Department of the Environment (DOE) is preparing to open an office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The tentative opening date is mid-June, and the office will have jurisdiction over Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Caye Chapel. The San Pedro DOE office will collaborate closely with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, further emphasizing the community's role in this endeavor.
Government
Informative session in San Pedro discusses World Bank project aimed at improving infrastructure planning on the island
An information session on a World Bank project, crucial for the future of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, was held on Monday, May 20th, at the San Pedro Lions Den. The 'Blue Cities and Beyond' Project aims to enhance access to the island's climate-resilient and sustainable water and sanitation services. The presenters also outlined that the project will bolster the island's and country's management capacity for sustainable development of the blue economy.
Environment
Sargassum Skimmers acquired for Ambergris Caye
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and other beaches across the country are currently dealing with an influx of Sargassum seaweed, and stakeholders and sanitation personnel of the San Pedro Town Council face challenges in removing the brown algae. On Wednesday, May 15th, Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez announced that two sargassum skimmers had been acquired and are now in the country. These skimmers, or harvester machines, are part of a collaborative project with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. They are boat-like machines designed to capture sargassum at sea before it reaches the shoreline.
Community and Society
San Pedrito Boulevard is coming along with the use of Sargassum
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is currently using sargassum as a landfill and mixing it with material to build a new boulevard in the San Pedrito subdivision. This innovative approach not only puts the seaweed to good use but also keeps the smell down, making the community a better place to live.
Environment
SPTC plans to expand wastewater services north of San Pedro Town
Access to proper water and wastewater services is crucial to the residents of Ambergris Caye. The administration in charge, led by Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez, is committed to expanding and improving these services in the northern part of the island in collaboration with various partners, including Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), the Ministry of Economic Development (DOE), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Belize Department of Environment, the Belize Forest Department, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Hydrological Service, and the Ministry of Economic Development, Belize.
Local News
Digi moves back to original location on Pescador Drive
Digi has relocated to its original location on Pescador Drive, next to the San Pedro Police Station and the San Pedro office of the Belize Electricity Limited on Ambergris Caye. The building was under construction, and due to several delays, were temporarily located at #10 Coconut Drive, where they operated and provided their products and services.
