More contracts to Imer Hernandez – D.P.M. says it helps to be his relative
Ground was broken for a new runway at Tower Hill this morning and we’ll have that story coming up. But the contract for the works was awarded to Imer Hernandez, who is the nephew of Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega. The runway is the second large public works project given to Hernandez in one week, and one of many awarded to Hernandez since this administration came into office. So today, the media asked Vega the pertinent question about the relation between his relative and lucrative contracts. According to the DPM, it certainly doesn’t hurt his nephew when contracts are being handed out.
Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister
Gaspar Vega
“I think that him being my relative most naturally helps, but not just because he’s my relative he’s getting the job. I am certain that he gets the job because he has the capacity. He has proven to be able to deliver good work. It’s as simple as that.”
Reporter
“But are the people issuing the contract compelled to choose him? Is there a competitive process or is there a directive that says that unu have to give the job to Imer because this is in my backyard?”
Gaspar Vega
“No, not really. Like this I had nothing to do with this. This is completely out of my reach. No…no Jules. I just want to tell you that no matter what happens people will make their own conclusions, you know. All I’m saying is that I don’t have anything to do with it. I am certain that he does good job and that is why he gets the contracts. You have Berbey and Lopez who can’t finish wah job to Yo Creek…who can’t finish wah job to Progresso, San Estevan…nobody speaks about that. They subcontract Imer to do some work fu ah…it must be that he is doing good work.”
Imer Hernandez was also recently awarded the contract for the extensive, multi-million dollar works at the Belmopan Market.
Only Dean and Gaspar family di eat unda this ya crowd. Unu got a problem with that?
I am left in utter confusion after reading this story, particularly reading Vega’s words in fact only when reading Vega’s words. Let me get this straight (if I can)… He admits that… “I think that him being my relative most naturally helps,” and then in the exact same sentence he sort of do an almost about turn and say “but not just because he’s my relative he’s getting the job”. So is it because he is his relative he got the job or not just because he is your relative? Which one is it DPM? Because it is illogical that the two scenarios can co-exist. Then the reporter asks “But are the people issuing the contract compelled to choose him? Is there a competitive process or is there a directive that says that unu have to give the job to Imer because this is in my backyard?” to which the DPM replies “No, not really. Like this I had nothing to do with this (maybe others but not this). This is completely out of my reach.”(But it was within your sphere of influence), “All I’m saying is that I don’t have anything to do with it” (but being his relative most naturally helps). So he says it is because Imer is his relative and then he says he “had nothing to do with this”… but how could that be Mr. DPM? I think the DPM is easily confused when he is put under irrefutable pressure or is it a case of good old fashion of “not connecting your brain to his mouth” when he is talking? I think it is the latter as he has proven in the past (“I am not a normal person in Belize; I work much harder than a lot of other people.”)… Let’s just say he is not the sharpest or quickest pig in the pen aka the House of Representatives.
He does give reasoning why Imer is the best person for the job, however uninformed it was … “He has proven to be able to deliver good work”, “I am certain that he does good job and that is why he gets the contracts (contracts with an S, is it plural because of two contracts we know of or is it more than 2?). You have Berbey and Lopez who can’t finish wah job to Yo Creek…who can’t finish wah job to Progresso, San Estevan…nobody speaks about that. They subcontract Imer to do some work fu ah…it must be that he is doing good work.” then the story ends with “Imer Hernandez was also recently awarded the contract for the extensive, multi-million dollar works at the Belmopan Market.”. He criticizes other contractors ” who can’t finish wah job ” when Imer got the 2.2 million dollar (which by the way looks more like point two million instead of 2.2) contract for the Belmopan Market that had a date of completion set for 19th May 2014 and It is now the 20th of June 2014 and Belmopan City Council (according to some vendors) says that the vendors will not be able to move until August and to add insult to injury they will now need to pay more than triple (possibly more because a new cost pops up every time) of what they used to before the “extensive” renovations at the market area. Greedy may be choking a little puppy name Imer.
I know nepotism is a reality in Belizean politics (both for PUP or UDP politics)and politics anywhere in this world but if you are taking advantage of the people and the system at least tell a well thought out lie and not an irrational contradiction of a scattered dumb mind. It is above all degrading and insulting to common sense people everywhere. It is even more sobering to think that they will take this money and use it to campaign to elect and reelect dullards such as Denny Grijalva and the DPM. Our leaders (especially post Colonial leaders) used to be people who at least had some level of intellect or at most common sense and above all they used to tell such tall tales/lies that we were convinced that they had our best interest at heart. But leaders now just talk as though they don’t care what the heck we the ordinary people think as long as they move their lips, say a few words denying or in this case boldly admitting that they are involved in corruption as if we the people should worry about it, as if it were just business as usual and yes it is corruption when you influence a due process in order for it to favor you or someone associated or related to you.
WELL IF BARROW CAN PUT ALL HIS RELATIVES IN HIGH POSITION THEN WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF THE DEPUTY. ALL HIGH HANDEDNESS AND WHAT INTRIGUES ME IS THAT THE UNIONS THAT WERE RILING UP AGAINST THE PUP ADMINISTRATION, THEY ARE ALL QUIET. JUST SITTING BACK AND WATCH THIS UDP WITH THEIR HIGH HANDEDNESS. POWER CORRUPTS AND ITS REALLY DOING A NUMBER ON THIS UDP PEOPLE. IF IT WAS THE PUP DOING THIS AND BRAGGING ABOUT IT LIKE WHAT THESE FELLAS ARE DOING NOW, I BET THE COUNTRY OF BELIZE WOULD BE A BLAZING NOW WITH RIOTS AND THINGS. WHO GOT THE BALLS TO CURB THIS RUN AWAY PEOPLE.. THEY HANDLING BELIZE LIKE IT IS FOR THEM.
Nothing but thief thief thief this whole gov. Are thieves no one else got get jobs in this country if you are not a relative of these ministers or if you are not black .
Well said, Eric. However, I blame the people of Belize. I will continue to say, this is what ignorance and a few dollars, free food and rum at elections get us. I bet they’ve learnt a lesson. PUP take heed because we will not be as tolerable if you get in and try the same mess. Vega, even though I know him, through a mutual friend, is just another crook in politics who is making sure he and his will live happily ever after from the ill-gotten spoils.
this sort of mentality is so ingrained and ingrown within the “royal bloodlines” of Belize (which includes both “political” parties) – the only way to reform will be via violence.
Sad for us….not looking good to build a good country.
There you go again Rod , you racist piece of #%^^. Do you think P.U.P would do any better.Or you forgot how much they stole too. both parties are the same garbage.We were better off belonging to England. You can balme goverment for a lot of bad things in Belize ,but some responsibility has to be put on society itself.Belize has lost it’s innocence a long time ago ,and we have become a corrupt country and both parties is to blame.So Rod show your face when P.U.P does it’s crap too.I notice no comment form you with the Espat deal.
It’s out of control. Hernandez lives in a mansion in Benque. And the roads are falling apart.
Time to get organized guys and do a march and blockade in Belmopan.
Lets all join the rod of correction and shove it up,their ass!,,!