Senate Majority Supports B.T.L. Settlement

Joy Grant

The fact is that despite the fire and fury over the B.T.L. settlement today, any debate has been rendered purely academic because the government has the majority in the Senate. And that’s what happened today after a discussion which lasted almost three hours before ending with one statement of support and the wrap-up by the leader of government business. 

Joy Grant, Senator, United Democratic Party

“Belizeans have benefitted tremendously from the services of B.T.L. from when the government decided to take it over and let us not forget that it was under this new B.T.L. that we have VOIP Services and that we all enjoy it and that the plans for what they are going to do are going to bring us better internet services at cheaper prices. Of that I am sure. Let us also not forget how imperative it was for the government of Belize to take over B.T.L. at that time and that it was supported by the Belizean public. I think maybe a month ago or so, Channel Seven repeated the video of what happened at that time and I was able to see the brave Belizeans who put their physical selves at risk for making sure that this government was able to take over B.T.L.; I felt nothing but pride. Mister President, I want to assure the Belizean people that the prime minister has the full support of the cabinet and that we were told several times about these negotiations. I also want to say that the prime minister made very clear at his press conference that there was a team of people that were supporting him and that were giving him information….this was not sitting down one day and coming up with an agreement…he did. I don’t have to name the names. Go back and hear the names that the prime minister said in his press conference of the team that was supporting him. And this is nothing strange for two principal people to get into a room and have some discussions with their teams supporting them and giving them information. I don’t know what this whole big deal is about.”

Godwin Hulse

Godwin Hulse, Leader of Government Business

“I will say simply this, I will say simply this…that it is not perhaps or maybe it is…I too am troubled about the element of uncertainly. I think anybody would be—I heard the senator talking about it and I hope it comes in our favour or better yet. But I am satisfied of two things….we are finally coming to a conclusion of this thing, but I am more satisfied Mister President of one thing that sticks our—regardless of who shouts, regardless of who clap, regardless of who criticise, regardless of who condemn—it has all been put in the face of the public so they could talk about the Barrow brother, they can talk about the arrogance of the prime minister and everything.”

So in a matter of days, there is a settlement for compensation for B.T.L. even though the final price is yet to be determined by an international tribunal.