On February 29, 2012, Oceana Belize, under the then Vice-President, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, held what the organization called the "People's Referendum" on offshore drilling. It was an independent attempt to GET A POPULAR MANDATE on what should be the policy on drilling in the country's offshore AREAS.
At the end of the exercise, OCEANA reported back to the public that just over 29,000 voters participated, and 96% said "no" to offshore oil drilling. Though, it was not an official exercise, it drove the message home, emphatically.
At the time it forced Prime Minister Dean Barrow - who was campaigning for a second term - to promise that if elected he would hold an official referendum - which hasn't happened. And so, on the verge of another election, OCEANA's new management is holding a free concert to commemorate the 2012 event, while still keeping it current. They have a lineup of popular local artists who have signed on to perform.
Communications Director Alyssa Carnegie told us more about today:
The concert takes place on Sunday, March 1, at the Memorial Park. Admission is Free.
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