House meeting runs until midnight
To say that the debate of the 2004-2005 budget was long, would be and understatement. The marathon session had parliamentarians from the lower house in Belmopan until twelve-thirty on Saturday morning, a full fourteen and a half hours after the meeting was called to order. But before the debate proper got underway with the response from the Leader of the Opposition, members of the U.D.P. side took the government to task on a number of issues ranging from interconnection to I.M.F. to transportation. Here is a summary beginning with Minister of Tourism Mark Espat responding to a question about concession granted to Print Belize Limited.
Mark Espat, Minister of Tourism
“The incentives approved are no different from those provided to other companies through the fiscal incentives programme, where the applicant company commits to upgrading substantially the level of technology in that sector and create new jobs for Belizeans. Madam Speaker there is on other comment I will make in regard to this issue. The Opposition press, both radio and television, have made suggestions about the ownership of this company as they have done in framing this question today. There are clippings and tape recordings of these suggestions. They have mischievously misrepresented a standard legal practice of legal assistance temporarily holding a company’s initial shares. In the case of Print Belize, the records will show that substantial owners of the company at this time are Lawrence Nicholas, the former government printer, and his wife who have also committed to offering shares to other managers and employees. It is my understanding that the arrangement between this company and the Development Finance Corporation and the Government of Belize has made new Belizean owners for an asset that can and now is being managed more efficiently without offering any assurances of exclusive business from government. And I will say this, the Opposition have complained about the backlog of cases in the courts of Belize, they are also actively engaged in the raising money to support their various political activities. I have answered today publicly their charge for the first and final time regarding the ownership of Print Belize. The next response will place them in queue outside the courtroom and keep them busy on the fundraising circuit.”
Manuel Heredia, Area Rep., Belize Rural South
“Can the minister with responsibility for the Police Department explain to this Honourable House what he hopes to accomplish by arresting the homeless, charging them and then releasing them back out on the streets?”
Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Finance
“As a result of much consultation, data collection and analysis, an operation was conducted whereby the multi-agency approach was taken with the police arresting and taking those homeless not cooperating before the Magistrate Court in Belize City. As is customary procedure at court, some of the defendants pleaded guilty and were fined with time given to pay; some were offered and met bail. Those who could not meet bail were remanded to the relevant institutions.”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Area Rep., Port Loyola
“Can the Minister of Transport say what measuring devices will be employed in assessing the offences of using motor vehicle with defective tyres, which carry a fine of fifty dollars; excessive smoke, oil, or vapour, which carries a fine of twenty-five dollars; loud music, excessive noise, which carries a fine of twenty-five dollars. And if no device is to be used, can he say of inspections will be by sight, and if so how can he assure that standards are upheld and motorists are not fined unnecessarily?”
Cordel Hyde, Minister of Transport
“These violations and penalties have been on the law books from time immemorial. As far as we know, there has never been any specific measuring devices used in Belize to perform scientific tests to determine viability of tyres or is there is excessive smoke, oil or loud music; at least not at the Department of Transport. What the experienced motor vehicle inspectors and traffic wardens have done and will continue to do is to look out for tyres with exposed wires, bulges cuts or other obvious signs of advanced wear and tear. They will also continue to use their experience and God given ability to see and smell for excessive smoke or oil.”
Patrick Faber, Area Rep., Collet
“Can the Minister responsible for Public Utilities say when telephone interconnection rates will be published in light of the fact that the chairman of the Public Utilities Commission declared last year that they had already finalised those rates?”
Prime Minister Said Musa
“The member well knows that the P.U.C. only intervened in the issue of interconnection at the request of one of the parties, INTELCO, because the parties had failed to agree and that intervention by the P.U.C. was challenged by B.T.L. in court. Nevertheless the P.U.C., the Public Utilities Commission, has in fact completed its analysis, leading to the determination of interim interconnection terms and condition, including rates and regulations. The rates have not been published because the parties are still in discussion and hope to resolve the matter in the very near future. If this effort fails, and if the P.U.C is requested to proceed with publication, then the pending rates and regulations will be published.”
The budget now goes to the Senate, which meets in a special session on Tuesday at the National Assembly chamber in Belmopan.
