Tourism Minister Weighs in on Carla Barnett’s Departure from Ministry of Lands…
Carla Barnett
From assisting affected fire victims in the San Pedro fire to politics….the Belize Rural South area rep and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Manuel Heredia Junior, was also quizzed today about what is seen as the “pushing out” of Senator Doctor Carla Barnett from the Ministry of Natural Resources. Was the senator moved because she was slow to sign off on leases and land titles requested by her elected cabinet colleagues? The senior politician told the media today that it is expected that with Minister Hugo Patt at the helm, things should improve. But what about the issues of corruption that have plagued the ministry? Here is what he has to say:
Manuel Heredia Jr.
Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
“Carla Barnett, again, I know Carla—she was my chairlady at the Belize Tourism Board. She is an honest lady; she is extremely intelligent, but sometimes it takes a little politics into it to make sure it functions. And I know that all colleagues, including myself, many times were anxious for leases and titles and so to come out. But I believe that Hugo will move this ministry much faster. I didn’t say that Carla; Carla was doing a good job. I have no complaints personally; particularly with myself, she responded to my call every time that I needed. But I believe that Hugo will drive this ministry much faster, much easier and in a very transparent manner.”
Duane Moody
“But people are saying that Doctor Barnett is a no nonsense person so she was the one to clean up the ‘hotbed of corruption’ at lands. Removing her gives room for that to continue?”
Manuel Heredia Jr.
“Not so, my friend. Hugo is a no nonsense also, but also colleague friendly, extremely honest and he brings that quality that he knows how to relay to employees and so and in the Ministry of Natural Resources, a lot of that is needed. In my ministry I can see it, whenever I can relate to my employees, whenever my employees are happy, they perform better, they perform easier and they will never be in their mind anything that they want to do anything illegal because of that relationship that you create between employees.”
