Public Officer to suspend without pay for breaching vehicle use policy

Ministry notes that the public officer involved breached the internal vehicle use policy

28th of April 2021

Belize: Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing issued a statement on Traffic incident in Belize.

At this moment, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing clarifies the features of a traffic incident that occurred on April 23, 2021, including one of its vehicles, reports revealed.

On Friday, April 23, a civil-engineer engaged with the Ministry of Infrastructure-Development and Housing for the past 11 years was on a field-trip to monitor and inspect ongoing contract jobs between miles 8.5 and 13 on the Philip Goldson Highway and miles 1 & 4 on the George Price Highway, Belize-District.

While returning from Belize-City to Benque Viejo, where he lives, he lost control of his government-assigned pickup-truck (CYB 3301) between miles 64 and 65 on the George Price-Highway. The driver ran into a concrete culvert-headwall and overturned near the ITVET-(CET) School in San Ignacio Town.

According to officials, the incident happened around 10:50 p.m. (according to officials) and was reported to police, who responded and investigated the matter along with Scenes of Crime.

Based on the investigation, the Ministry notes that the public officer involved breached the internal vehicle use policy and therefore intends to write to the Public Services Commission recommending that the public officer be suspended without pay and be surcharged for damages to the vehicle.

Notwithstanding the incident occurring after working hours, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing clarifies to the public that some of its technical officers are on call at any time of the night, including weekends, to respond to road-related emergencies. These public officers are assigned vehicles to enable them to conduct their duties.

The Ministry laments the incident but assures the public that the use and security of its vehicular and other machinery assets are of paramount importance to the Ministry and shall be maintained and protected in acquiescence with the relevant stores and financial orders. Government of Belize released this information.