Section 1

Commissions of Inquiry 7 Ch.70. [26th November, 1990.] WHEREAS, an explosion occurred on the night of Friday, 16th November, 1990 at the warehouse belonging to the Belize Sugar Industries Limited located near Chan Pine Ridge Village, Orange Walk District, used for the storage of chemicals and other materials; AND WHEREAS, as a result of the explosion and the accompanying fire, harmful gases and fumes emitted into the atmosphere posing a health hazard to the residents of the surrounding villages, leading to their emergency evacuation from their homes; AND WHEREAS, several persons are known to have suffered from the ill-effects of gaseous substances emanating from the said warehouse, resulting in their hospitalization; AND WHEREAS, it seems desirable to the Prime Minister that a Commission of Inquiry shall issue as hereinafter mentioned; NOW KNOW YE that by virtue of the powers and authority in me vested by Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 70 of the Laws of Belize, 1980, I do by 8 Commissions of Inquiry this Commission appoint you the said LUKE ESPAT, DR. ERASMUS FRANKLIN, DR. VICTOR GONZALEZ and WENDEL PARHAM, to be Commissioners for the purpose hereinafter mentioned with all the powers by the said Act conferred and I do authorize you the said Commissioners in the manner in the said Act provided to make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the explosion and fire which occurred on the night of Friday, 16th November, 1990 at the warehouse belonging to the Belize Sugar Industries Limited located near Chan Pine Ridge Village, Orange Walk District, with specific reference to the following matters to wit– (a) to determine the cause of the said explosion and fire; (b) to determine whether there were adequate safety procedures for the storage of chemicals and other hazardous materials at the said warehouse; (c) to determine the long-term and short-term effect of the explosion and fire and the consequent emission of gases and fumes on the inhabitants of the area, as well as on the surrounding land (including crops) and the environment; (d) to determine the effects on fish, wildlife and other fauna and flora of the chemicals or other pollutants generally discharged into rivers and other waterways by the Sugar Cane Industry both in Orange Walk and Corozal Districts; (e) to determine the adequacy or otherwise of the hospital and fire services in the area of the explosion; Commissions of Inquiry 9 (f) to make specific recommendations for the proper storage of chemicals and the control of pollutants in the Sugar Cane Industry, with particular reference to measures for preventing a recurrence of such incidents. I DIRECT THAT you the said LUKE ESPAT shall be the Chairman of the said Commission to hold the Inquiry aforesaid, and I also direct that each of you having made and subscribed an oath or affirmation as required by law and having deposited the same with the Secretary to the Cabinet, you do hold your meetings at such place or places and at such time or times as you the said Commissioners may appoint and that you the said Commissioners do make report as soon as may be practicable of the result of your Inquiry with such comments and recommendations as you may think fit, furnishing me with a full statement of your proceedings and of the reasons leading to the conclusions and recommendations at which you may arrive or report. I DO HEREBY DIRECT that the Inquiry shall, except when you deem it necessary or advisable to do otherwise, be held in public. AND I DO HEREBY REQUIRE AND DIRECT that all public officers and other persons to whom you may apply for assistance or information for the purposes of your inquiries and investigation to render all such assistance and furnish all such information as may be rendered and furnished in that behalf. MADE at Belmopan this 22nd day of November, 1990. Prime Minister