Still no Public Service Commission Chairman; P.S.U. is Livid
Tonight, there is still no appointee to the post of Chairman of the Public Service Commission, that’s because the prime minister’s pick for presiding officer of that working group has withdrawn his name due to illness. Cresencio Sosa Sr. is the second person to have his name removed from the likely candidates to fill the post. The effect of the delay, however, is being felt most by retired public officers who cannot collect their gratuities and pensions due to the vacant office. The Public Service Union issued a statement on Wednesday criticizing the Briceño administration for failure to fill the post. Earlier today, News Five spoke with P.S.U. President Dean Flowers about the issue at hand.
Dean Flowers
On the Phone: Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“It is frustrating for the Public Service Union of Belize, as well as public officers in general and now this is extending to our retirees, in that we are yet to receive and acceptable excuse from the government why is it that a suitable, Belizean candidate has not been identified to take up this post. Following the blowback and the disapproval of Mr. Cal, Mr. Sosa was identified and Mr. Sosa, at least from our perspective, enjoyed our support to be appointed. Unfortunately, after his appointment was confirmed, I understand, by the Governor General, there is concern with his health and so he has expressed his desire not to serve as the chairman. This brings us back, of course, to square one where now it is frustrating for us because all indications so far is that the government are not in search of someone with integrity and high moral standings but are more so in search of somebody who is politically aligned with the government and somebody who will take instructions from the government rather than be guided by the constitution and the regulations which govern how this commission is established and how it ought to function and therein lies the problem and that is our gripe with the government.”
