Elrington confronts Dickie on KREM and City Council
In political news Minister of Housing, Local Government and Broadcasting, Hubert Elrington, has continued to air his views in the wake of a clash with the Belize City Council. Last night on Channel Five’s “One On One with Dickie Bradley” Elrington held forth on a wide range of topics, including one very dear to his host, namely the fate of Radio KREM. According to the minister, he doesn’t want KREM to go away, just go straight.
Hubert Elrington, Minister of Broadcasting
“Elrington wants to close down KREM; Elrington neva says so. If I wanted to do that I would have said it. I said that I was not going to give you all a license and I was saying, I am saying that you can have your license tomorrow. I am perfectly – just like how the mayor got part of his subvention today – you can get your license tomorrow, early in the morning. Just give me an undertaking that you will understand that the airways are public property.”
Dickie Bradley
“We will have to invite you on Radio KREM once we’ve signed the license so we can talk extensively…”
Hubert Elrington
“Yes.”
Dickie Bradley
“…and we could feel more freer.”
Hubert Elrington
“Seems like you all are planning to amend your ways.”
Dickie Bradley
“Our ways will not be amended until the Government falls.”
Hubert Elrington
“Well you might have to wait a very long time for your license.”
Dickie Bradley
“Well September da di latest I imagine.”
The verbal jousting continued with Elrington returning to a familiar theme: his relations with Belize City Mayor, Jose Coye.
Q: “You’re the Minister of Local Government and Municipalities. Why can’t we have autonomy in the Town Boards and the City Council?”
Hubert Elrington
“Because the mayor keeps begging for money. That’s what he was making all the fuss about. Please, Minister Elrington, can I have some money? Please give me a hundred thousand dollars. Please give me ninety thousand dollars. He doesn’t want to be independent; he keeps annoying me.
When he comes to me, I show him all these things. I put him to sit down beside me jus’ like a child – no philosophizing, no whisky talk. Let’s try and be serious. You understand what I am saying to you?”
Dickie Bradley
“But if you are serious, you can’t….”
Hubert Elrington
“But this is what I have to do with him.”
Dickie Bradley
“But you can’t say the man wah whisky talk, man. Dat no fair.”
Hubert Elrington
“This is what I have… But he was invited to be here this evening; he could have been here. He chose not to be here.”
Dickie Bradley
“But minister you can’t… You just tell us that how your are against KREM because they behave… “
Hubert Elrington
“This is freedom of speech…”
Dickie Bradley
“But you’re against KREM for freedom of speech.”
Hubert Elrington
“The truth must be out. You see, you can’t come and be negotiating with a minister of Government on serious matters filled with Jack Daniels or Black Label. Yuh cyan do it.”
Dickie Bradley
“Those are some serious statements you’re making.”
Hubert Elrington
“You understand what I’m saying and I am serious about what I am saying. The man simply is not on top of his job”
Viewers who wish to watch the entire interview and decide for themselves who is or is not on top of his job may tune in for the “One On One” repeat on Sunday morning at ten thirty.
