Possession of water supply by the Government in emergencies

(1) Where a state of emergency under the Constitution of Belize has been declared in whole or in part in Belize, in which it is necessary and expedient in the public interest that the Government should have control over water supply, the Minister, by warrant under his hand may direct or cause such water supply as is specified in the warrant to be taken possession of and/or to be used for the service of the Government, and subject thereto, for such ordinary service as may seem fit, or may direct and authorise such person or persons as it thinks fit to assume control of such water supply and cause it to be used in such manner as it may direct in the warrant. (2) Any such warrant issued under sub-section (1), shall be effective for a period not exceeding thirty days from the date of issue and shall be deemed to have expired on the cesser of the emergency. The Minister may, where the emergency continues after thirty days, by a like warrant extend the warrant for a further period not exceeding thirty days. 67 (3) The Government shall pay to the licensee, or the owner of any water supply taken possession of under this section, as compensation for any loss of profit sustained by the licensee by reason of the exercise of the powers conferred by this section, or for any damage caused by the wilful or reckless act of the Government, its agents, or servants, such sum as may be agreed between the Government and the licensee or in the case where the parties cannot agree, or, failing such agreement by the parties, by arbitration by a fit and proper person to be agreed upon by the parties, by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Act. CAP. 125.