The Moya Ruin of Bikal

Another embarrassing episode for expiring UDP Mayor Zenaida Moya

Belize City, December 21, 2011

Belize City’s embattled UDP Mayor Zenaida Moya’s ascent on a tower of controversy and shame reached a peak yesterday with the unveiling of a privately-funded, alien-looking structure in Belize City we could best title the “Moya Ruin of Bikal”.

The 10-foot structure has been the center of criticism and disdain ever since the UDP Belize City Council approved and started its construction several months ago. The Council did not consult city residents before erecting the structure, continuing its stubborn six-year practise of disregarding the views of residents. It then turned into a guessing game as residents had to figure out what possibly was the intention, as layers of concrete surrounded by cannons directed at residents’ homes were placed.

The Council let the cat out of the bag when it announced that it was erecting a Maya ruin. That attracted further criticism that focused on the oddly-designed structure. If it was a Maya ruin, it certainly depicted no familiarity with any of the sacred temples in Belize. Instead its height and design closely resembled Tikal, which is in Guatemala. This infuriated residents even more. Not only were the UDP Mayor and Council placing menacing cannons directed at residents, but they were also erecting, of all things and places, a Guatemala look-alike.

With all that controversy, it was not surprising that not even a UDP Councillor, UDP representative and even UDP supporter showed up at Tuesday’s unveiling ceremony. Even Moya loyalists (Moyalists) like Finnegan, Councillors Philloughby, Samuels, Espejo and Usher abandoned the Mayor like she had let off a stink-bomb. In fact, not a single resident attended.

The Mayor played it coolly though. It was just her and the erection. She was joined by her generous benefactor, Hans Bhojwani, who also convinced Moya to name the structure on his behalf and even rename the Marine Parade sidewalk the “Hans-Nandini Bhojwani Promenade”. Again, the Mayor and Council submitted, without consulting the residents.

While it has become clear that the incestuous Moya/Bhojwani relationship has resulted in multiple erections throughout the city, including five roundabouts and two other structures all bearing the Bhojwani nametags, what is not known is how the relationship has benefitted the businessman. Could it be tax write-offs or some other special favour from the UDP? Moya has never uttered a word about it.

City residents don’t even know how much Bhojwani donated for the structures, since the UDP Council has never been accountable or transparent. Whether Moya under-deposited any of funds, we will never know.

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