Markhelm Lizarraga Appointed to NEAC Tribunal Amidst Changes in Private Sector Representation

The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Disaster Risk Management has appointed Markhelm Lizarraga to replace Paul Hunt Sr. on the NEAC tribunal after Hunt recused himself. Just this month, Hunt, who was appointed to represent the private sector on the tribunal for the review of the decision of the Department of the Environment on the Port Expansion and Cruise Tourism Project, stepped down. Hunt had replaced Lucy Fleming, who stepped down as the private sector representative on the three-person tribunal. The ministry says Lizarraga has extensive experience in the private sector. He is the Chair of the Southside Group and previously served as Senator for the Private Sector from 2012 to 2020. He also served as President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2002 to 2004 and serves as Chairman of Belize Telemedia Limited.