What Became of P.U.P.’s Objections to Coastal Highway Project?

When the People’s United Party was in opposition, current Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay spoke strongly against the Coastal Highway project. He asserted that the project was patently criminal, because it was not taken before the National Assembly for approval and because the Contractor General’s Office was vacant at the time. Minister Courtenay had cautioned the CDB and the British government that, for these reasons, they are aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise. Minister Courtenay was asked what became of those complaint letters to the British government.

Eamon Courtenay

Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“If you recall, we made a complaint at the time, not only to the UK government, but also to the Caribbean Development Bank. In their own wisdom, neither of them responded to us. When we were, well, when the government was elected, the project was well underway. And therefore, the issues that we wanted to raise had been overtaken by events.  I did not raise that issue with Minister Rutley because the facts are where they are today. What we did discuss is the success of the road project in terms of building resilience in providing Belizeans with a more efficient way of going, opening up that area. The issue we were raising in opposition was a question of transparency. That was the issue.”