Chief Environmental Officer Has No Knowledge of Portico’s Definitive Agreement

On Tuesday, we showed you a letter written by former attorney general Michael Peyrefitte, in respect of a so-called definitive agreement that the principals of Portico say was granted to Port of Magical Belize in respect of its tourism development.  While the erstwhile AG has gone on record to disavow any knowledge of such agreement, former minister Tracy Panton, who was a member of the Investment Committee during the Barrow administration, has also denied entering into such arrangement with Portico.  Earlier today, reporters asked Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai if he was aware of such an agreement.  Here is his brief response to that question.

Anthony Mai

Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer

“If you look at that letter, that is separate from the EIA process.  That is speaking to an MOU or an agree meant that the company would have with the government itself.  So that did not mention anything as it relates to the environmental clearance process.  Portico went through the EIA process, they have received environmental clearance and it is my understanding that they are proceeding with the development.”