By Belize Live News Staff: Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Julius Espat, has issued a strong call to Belizeans to take greater responsibility for the nation’s cleanliness, citing the growing financial burden of highway garbage collection during his address at the 2025 Budget Debate.
“Our Ministry is spending too much money collecting garbage on our highways,” Espat said, highlighting the alarming levels of plastic waste accumulating along Belize’s roads. “I’m asking the Belizean people to have some more civic pride. The amount of plastic that we see is horrendous.”
The minister’s remarks point to a growing frustration within government over the cost and environmental impact of littering, which has been a long-standing issue despite public awareness campaigns.
Espat’s statement also hints at the broader problem of civic engagement and national pride. While infrastructure improvements continue under his ministry, the recurring challenge of litter undermines those efforts and drains public resources that could be directed toward development projects.
The call comes at a time when the country faces mounting economic pressures, and ministries are being urged to spend more efficiently. Espat’s message was clear: keeping Belize clean isn’t just the government’s job—it’s everyone’s responsibility.
