The Reporter (Belize)

June 3, 2001

BACONGO – the Belize Alliance of Conservation NGOs – calls on Canada’s Fortis, Inc. to commit to openness and transparency.

The Reporter, a leading Belize newspaper, featured a full-page report earlier this month by BACONGO – the Belize Alliance of Conservation NGOs – about their visit to Canada at the invitation of Probe International and other environmental groups, to focus public attention on the economic and environmental impacts of Belize’s proposed Chalillo dam, backed by billion-dollar Canadian corporation Fortis, Inc.

Concerned Canadian environmental groups invited BACONGO to Canada where they discovered that a Newfoundland company was actively engaged in a hydro development in a tiny Central American country called Belize. These groups had spent the better part of seven years fighting such developments in Newfoundland and this resulted in a moratorium on ANY hydro development in that province. So one can imagine their shock (and embarrassment) to find that the company is turning to a fragile ecosystem in Central America to continue their destructive ways.

During the one week in Canada, BACONGO representatives had the opportunity to dispel the false information disseminated in that country and paint a true picture of the obvious path to Belizean energy, economic and environmental sustainability. Upon arrival in that country, it was clear that the Canadian press, public and Fortis shareholders had been misinformed that Belize’s only alternatives to an energy solution were dams and burning diesel, and that Belizeans were in full support of the proposed dam. The five-day visit by two BACONGO representatives Sharon Matola and our engineering consultant Ambrose Tillett, was successful in meeting BACONGO’s overall advocacy goal as it relates to the Chalillo project. This goal is to continue responsibly, fairly and truthfully educating the public on the economic and environmental implications of the proposed dam and to highlight better alternatives.

By weekend, the light bulbs had been illuminated in the minds of Canadians that Chalillo is an economic and environmental millstone and Belize’s true direction to national energy, economic and environmental sustainability was the sugar industry and its capability to burn bagasse and produce electric energy.

During its visit, BACONGO was invited to attend and support the efforts of the local environmental groups. One such activity was to meet and inform Fortis shareholders through a demonstration organized by Canada Environment Action and held in front of the Holiday Inn in St. Johns Newfoundland, the venue for the company’s shareholders meeting. Although quite a cold, rainy and windy day, over 50 Canadians assembled outside the meeting venue, handing out flyers and information leaflets about the project and its impacts. Many Canadian drivers also blew their vehicle horns and gave the “thumbs up” as they drove by, in support of the struggle against Chalillo.

BACONGO through its Canadian and US partner environmental NGOs, also had an opportunity to meet with Canadian International Development Aid (CIDA) representatives, informing them of Fortis/BEL’s non-committal attitude to disclosure, transparency and open discussion on the proposed project. CIDA is funding the Fortis/BEL consultancy to the tune of US$250,000. The purpose is to complete a justification study and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Chalillo project.

BACONGO was interviewed by at least five Canadian media houses including print, radio and television, giving us yet another opportunity to educate the people of that country on the issue facing us. BACONGO and its partners met with Stan Marshall (CEO of Fortis), several vice presidents of Fortis, Lynn Young and Norris Hall. By meeting’s end it was clear that Fortis was prepared to move steadfastly ahead with the Chalillo project and was paying only lip service to public disclosure, transparency and commitment to other more economic and environmentally sound options for energy production.

Marshall continued to deny BACONGO access to pertinent information and was non-committal to any environmental standards in conducting the environmental impact assessment for the project. He commented that clearance for the project to proceed rests with the Government of Belize; a comment BACONGO views as disrespectful to the legally established environmental processes, which gives authority to the National Environmental Assessment Committee of technocrats, not directly to the “Government of Belize.”

Most recently in Belize, BEL finally adhered to the law and followed the advice of the Department of Environment by holding three public consultations for the Cayo district. We congratulate BEL and continue to challenge the company to even higher standards of consultation, by agreeing to form part of a panel of presenters that would discuss the issue and field questions and concerns from the public.

We call upon Fortis/BEL to demonstrate worthiness of the public support as the monopoly electricity company in Belize and issue a challenge to the company to re-commit to openness and transparency.

BACONGO was invited to Canada by six international environmental organizations and served as a key resource and Belizean face on the Chalillo issue at the events organized by Sierra Club, Probe International, Environment Action, Moblization for Global Justice, Conservation Corps, Petitcotiac Riverkeepers and Natural Resources Defense Council.