Another UDP politician who needs to clear things up is Manuel Juniour Herredia.
Last week, we told you about the sand situation in Caye Caulker, where sand is being removed and taken to San Pedro.
The company's representative, Damien Chamberlain, has smoothed things over with the villagers, but the real problem is the streets.
Those residents say they feel doubly neglected by Heredia; they claim that he's focused on San Pedro and ignoring their island.
During another event this weekend, was asked Heredia about their concerns:
Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
"When people react is because that they dont probably like, but of you can recall the rain is something natural that is all over Belize and all over our region and if you go to the island of San Pedro likewise and resources are limited. Our Prime Minister had made an extra effort to make sure they assist every single area of Belize and Caye Caulker and San Pedro will be no exception and I have given the goods and services, or sometimes even more than what San Pedro gets."
Daniel Ortiz
"One thing they want to know is that if the Government would be able to support buying the sand from the company and keeping it on Caye Caulker because it really came from their island; the dredging of their coastline."
Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism
"Let me be clear on that; anything that is on the sea bed is the property of the Government of Belize and not for the residents of any particular island. Likewise in San Pedro, they have done likewise; the dredge and an island in front of Belize were filled with sand that came from San Pedro. A perfect example: Cozumel has a sand bank. Playa Del Carmen and Isla Mujeres beaches from sand taken from Cozumel. It's not the property of the residents. It's the property of the Government of Belize and if you saw the chairman, he said it clearly that the sand is for Mr. Chamberlain, he does what he wants with the sand. Government will give them material, the right material to use in the streets that they need. With this rain, if you put that sand over there, it's a waste of money, a waste of time."
"We have the expertise, we have the people. Ministry of Works will be going over there shortly and will make sure they do an assessment and the government will provide some funding to be able to assist them."
Reporter
"They want to see you. They want you on the ground. Is there that possibility?"
Hon. Manuel Heredia
"When the time comes I will be there."
As part of the truce with Belize Marine and Sand Company, Caye Caulker residents have pledged that they will buy his sand to keep it on the island, and away from the upgrade happening on San Pedro.
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