Today, Wednesday, 20th March 2024, Honourable Members gathered in the Chambers of the National Assembly Building in Belmopan for a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives, Day One of the Annual Budget Debate. The meeting began at 10:30 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer offered by Mr. Richard Smith.
Next, Honourable Speaker Woods made a short announcement on receiving official notice of absence by Members of the House.
Hereafter, the following THREE (3) Reports were presented and ordered to lie on the Table:
No. HR249/1/13 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Bill, 2024.
No. HR250/1/13 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Alternative Sentencing Bill, 2024.
No. HR251/1/13 – Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Bill, 2024.
Before commencing the second reading of the General Revenue Appropriation (2024/2025) Bill, 2024, the Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Blue Economy, Civil Aviation and Immigration moved that at its rising, the House suspends to Thursday, 21st March 2024 at 10:00 A.M.
The Budget debates began with the Hon. Leader of Opposition and Member for Mesopotamia voicing scrutinizing observations on the budget and the ways it can be improved to further develop the country in his speech.
After the Leader of Opposition’s speech, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining and Member for Lake Independence gave his speech touching on matters relating to his portfolio, specifically matters concerning Natural Resources.
Next, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science, and Technology and Member for Freetown included in his speech affairs concerning education and ongoing international events.
Following, the Hon. Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs and Member for Belize Rural Central provided an update on the works done in the Belize Rural Central communities in her speech.
After, the Hon. Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management and Member for Cayo North East shared some of the efforts made to address the climate crisis.
Hereafter, the Hon. Minister of Youth, Sports and Transport and Member for Stann Creek West included upcoming plans to improve transportation countrywide and the accomplishments made in sports over the past year in his contribution to the budget speeches.
Subsequently, the Hon. Minister of Public Utilities, Logistics and E-governance and Member for Cayo North disclosed the developments in multiple communities as it relates to water and internet access in his speech on the budget.
Next, the Hon. Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government and Labour and Member for Toledo West delivered a speech mentioning the current unemployment rates and the initiatives done to improve the quality of life for his constituents.
Lastly, the Hon. Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security and Member for Belmopan spoke on plans for his constituency and the results of efforts made over the year.
This summarizes the events of day one of this Special Sitting of the House of Representatives with the meeting suspended at 5:46 P.M.
For further information on the Orders of the Day, please see the link below:
For access to the broadcast of the Sitting, kindly see the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/live/njaSuWqlDv4?si=ezTnjI24xA-YQC6T