Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“My understanding and coming out of the same meeting that we had with MIDH, my understanding is a more permanent fix will be executed to that entire thoroughfare, right? What happened is with the replacement of the BelCan Bridge, the Chetumal – that bridge and the entire boulevard will become extremely important as it will serve as an alternate route, right. And so MIDH recognizes it. Us at the city, we recognize that this boulevard will need to be completely rehabilitated. They have done some work there recently, as you have seen, and we have promoted that work on our page as well and we remain thankful for it. But a more permanent upgrade to that boulevard is necessary and MIDH has committed to executing that work ahead of the replacement of the BelCan Bridge, as it will again serve as an alternate route into and out the city noh.  And so we have received a commitment from MIDH that those works will be done as you have, as we’ve faced some challenges with that especially when we’re faced with inclement weather. But we’re very much happy to hear that are more permanent solution will be executed.”

Miller says the real relief will come once that full rebuild of Lake‑I Boulevard starts, giving drivers a sturdier route before the bridge shutdowns hit.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

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The post Major Works Planned For Lake Independence Boulevard first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                          Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“We also have Iguana Street in the Collett constituency which is underway. We have Arlington Drive in Port Loyola which is underway. It received the first quote of chip and seal. So we are very happy about how that project is coming along. Then there is Lakeview and Seagull which were rehabilitated just a few days ago in the Queen Square Division. Then we have Western Avenue, which is something that I am personally excited about. Western Avenue is being rehabilitated as well, that started last week. So I know at the moment they are working on the drainage and then they will actually start with the street works. It is a critical artery in an out of the Lake Independence Area. So that highlights some of the major infrastructural projects we have ongoing.”

City Hall Hosts Town Hall on Major Upgrades

As City Hall pushes ahead with street repairs across Belize City, from Iguana Street to Western Avenue, residents will soon have a chance to weigh in on even bigger projects reshaping the Old Capital’s infrastructure. The Belize City Council has scheduled a town hall to update the public on plans for the George Price Highway upgrade and the replacement of both the Swing Bridge and Belcan Bridge, and Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller says the session will help residents understand how the works will affect them and what rerouting to expect.

                     Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“Coming out of that meeting , one of the suggestions shared is that we should have a public consultation to share this with the wider community, share all the details of these three projects with the wider community so that they know what to expect as these are major projects that will to some extent impact their day to day navigation of the city while these projects are begin executed. So again I must give thanks to MIDH for their partnership. We are very excited about these projects. They will certainly be beneficial to the city and our residents and that remains at the forefront for us.”

Belama Street Dispute Awaits Government Decision

As Belama residents press for answers on the future of El Celaso Street, City Hall is juggling another community concern, this time tied to major infrastructure projects already in motion across Belize City. Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller says the petition over the Belama roadway is now before the Ministry of Natural Resources, even as the Council prepares to brief the wider public on major upgrades, including the replacement of the Swing Bridge and Belcan Bridge, at an upcoming town hall meant to help residents understand how the works will affect their daily routines.

                           Eluide Miller

Eluide Miller, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“A petition was submitted that was shared with us at the City. I know the Ministry of Natural Resources was looking at this case, specifically. But I will not have much of an update at this time. I will need to do some follow up and share some more information with you. I am very much familiar with the area, with the case. In fact a number of residents reached out to me pertaining to that case before the petition was submitted and so I keep in tune with the area representative in that regard. That area as I understand it was designated to be a street and some private owner got tittle to those land ahead of the 2020 elections and the residents have communicated their interest in having that area remain a street and they would like to have that street in their immediate community and we support them in that position.”

Miller says he’ll be following up with the ministry, noting that residents remain determined to keep El Celaso as a public street, a position City Hall fully supports.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

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The post Pothole Plague Prompts Citywide Repairs first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Mahler explained the inspiration behind the idea. “Whenever I travel, I like to go and see the fish markets. And so that came from an idea that I saw in the United States. That, why can’t we have a nice fish market for people to go to?”

The market will feature small booths serving local favourites alongside fresh seafood. “If you want your fry jack and you want your flour tortilla and yo beans and thing da night or da day, da morning; whenever it is, you could go there and get it, but it’s a fish market,” Mahler said.

He also plans to introduce a weekly “fish fry” as part of the project. Mahler says the idea comes from Caribbean traditions he has observed, where communities gather around fried fish and local dishes with music or entertainment.

There is no clear date yet for when the fish market and weekly fish fry will open.

The post Weekly “Fish Fry” Coming to North Front Street? first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The San Estevan Water Board received pipes and a generator valued at about $54,000, equipment that officials say will allow more households to be connected to the village’s water supply. The generator is expected to provide backup power to the system during outages, helping maintain water access when parts of the national grid are down.

Water board officials say the additional pipes will support connections for new customers, as demand for reliable water service in the village continues to grow.

The ministry has indicated that similar assistance is planned for other rural water boards as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen water systems in rural communities.

The post Government Provides $54,000 Worth of Equipment for Rural Water System first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The project will connect Indian Church, San Carlos, San Benito Poite, Jalacte, and San Vicente to safe, reliable electricity for the first time. It is a partnership between the European Union, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), and the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics.

At the inauguration ceremony, Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat said, “This project is a clear demonstration that rural communities matter… no village is left behind.”

What started as a smaller micro-grid plan later shifted after consultations showed that long-term needs would be better met by linking the villages directly to the national grid. As part of the project, BEL funded a ten-mile interconnection to the grid, while additional infrastructure such as poles, transformers, distribution lines, street lights, and home wiring was jointly financed by the EU and BEL.

BEL’s General Manager for Distribution and Energy Solutions, Karique Marin, added, “We are not just turning on power; we are powering progress together. Electricity has the power to transform how families live, how farmers operate, and how young people plan for the future.”

The project began in 2021, and more than 150 homes are now being connected, opening doors for farming, small businesses, and everyday life.

The post New Power Lines to Reach 150 Homes in Five Villages first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The market is located at the El Embarcadero site on Nurse Shark Street and was completed in January. Built with durable, coastal-appropriate materials, the weather-resistant facility can accommodate up to ten vendors and meets required safety and accessibility standards. Oversight of the site will now fall under the San Pedro Town Council.

Speaking at the ceremony, Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez said the market is intended to connect visitors directly with Belizean culture. “Every item hopefully that when they buy here will tell a story. A story of our home, our heritage and most importantly the honest Belizean work that comes along with it.”

Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler said the project forms part of a wider national effort to strengthen the tourism sector. “These projects that we’ve been working on all over the country have been focused on how, one project at a time, we can improve the tourism product,” he said. His comments follow other recent initiatives, including the upgraded community centre in Bullet Tree Falls. 

San Pedro’s mayor also welcomed the opening, describing the market as a space dedicated to local talent and community pride. “To our artisans and vendors, this market is for you,” he said.

Despite the official opening, some local artisans have expressed concern about the transition, noting that vendors have been relocated several times over the years and that the new facility may not be able to accommodate everyone currently selling at the existing market.

The post Mahler Says Tourism Upgrades Being Done “One Project at a Time” first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Renovation works began in April 2025 and included new bathroom fixtures, upgraded windows and doors, electrical rewiring, roofing, and fresh paint inside and out. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Chebat noted the centre’s role in building unity. “For generations this centre has been more than just a structure of concrete and steel. It is a place where memories were made and lives were celebrated. It has hosted countless community gatherings, quinceañera celebrations, weddings, birthday parties, family reunions, and events that brought us together as one people,” he said.

While Mahler addressed questions about why tourism funds were used for the project. “I’m often criticised for projects like this…Why is tourism investing in a community centre? And I often say, ‘I’m not investing in a community centre; I’m investing in the community. I’m investing in our people,’” he said.

The ceremony had cultural performances, including music by the Los Hijos del West marimba band, and participation from local schoolchildren in leading the national anthem and prayer.

Beyond serving as a hub for cultural and community programmes, the centre will also function as a designated hurricane shelter when needed.

The post Bullet Tree Falls Gets Upgraded Community Centre first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                    Evondale Moody

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“The contractor has commenced his mobilization whereby he is constructing his construction camp and offices that will be located along the highway. And thereafter, he will start next week with the setting out of the road width itself whereby we will establish the boundaries of the new width of the highway from Belmopan to La Democracia. His current program basically shows us that he will start works from Democracia coming towards Belmopan. And he will also have a team working from Belmopan towards Cotton Ttree. And he has a third area that he wants to focus on, which is the construction of a new bridge at Mount Pleasant. That is the area that is usually inundated by flood waters whenever we have excessive rainfall within the Belmopan area. And so there at that location at approximately mile forty-five, he will be constructing a new bridge while doing this new bridge. Yes, he will have to construct a diversion whereby traffic will be diverted on the left hand side going east towards Belize City to ensure that we still have a path for vehicle traffic to maneuver on the highway while he construct this new bridge. The intention is to try and start the new bridge within the dry season, which is now so that we could take advantage of the dry season and dependent on how the situation goes in terms of weather pattern for the raining season. Then we will see how that progresses throughout the year. But that bridge itself will take approximately a year and a half for him to construct. We also have major junctions. That the contractor will be constructing. We have a major on the boat that will be constructing at the intersection of George Price Boulevard with the George Price Highway that will bring traffic into Belmopan. So we’ve seen that, that has been a major intersection on the highway and we want to make sure that we improve that junction at least We also have a major junction that we need to build for the new hospital. Which we are incorporating into our design. And so the contractor will also have to do those works as well along the highway.”

The post Three‑Year Upgrade Planned for George Price Highway first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Nicole Usher-Solano, explained that Belize City remains a critical destination for cruise visitors and stressed the importance of making the city more welcoming and better equipped for tourism.

“Generally, Belize City is a destination that we need to continue to improve because of the cruise industry. We have to make sure that the city is prepared for visitors,” she said.

Solano further emphasised that plans to develop go beyond the Southern Foreshore. Areas like Yarborough and the surroundings near the port also need significant attention. According to Solano, any project that enhances the waterfront or creates new visitor experiences is a step in the right direction.

“There is a lot that needs to happen in the city, and if the Belize City Council is able to contribute in that way, I think waterfront activities are always positive,” she added.

Although the BTB is no longer involved in discussions on the proposed boardwalk, the organisation says it views developments of this kind favourably. They believe projects of this nature would add value to the city and support Belize’s reputation as an appealing destination.

The post BTB Welcomes Plans for Floating Boardwalk in Old Capital first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The proposed boardwalk would stretch from the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts down to King Street, creating a new public space while also protecting the city’s seawall from erosion.

The design has been tested against extreme weather conditions, including hurricane-level waves and winds, and has proven technically feasible.

While funding has not yet been secured, Mayor Bernard Wagner described the initiative as part of his vision for a climate-smart Belize City. He noted that the site is currently underused but could become a hub for recreation, tourism, and local entrepreneurship.

The idea first emerged in 2023, and the project has since gained support from the European Union.

Public reaction has been mixed. One social media user said, “This is a great idea. It would add a modern look to the city as well. But Baron Bliss lighthouse and the sea wall needs immediate attention…” Others emphasised more pressing priorities, commenting, “There are more pertinent needs like proper infrastructure, low-income housing and poverty alleviation that need to be addressed before far-fetched EU-funded/inspired ideas can come to the forefront…”

The post Belize City Council Plans to Build Floating Boardwalk first appeared on Greater Belize Media.