…And N.T.U.C.B. suddenly wants back in program

Government had initially invited the Belize Chamber of Commerce and the N.T.U.C.B. to be apart of the committee but they declined the offer. But there has been a reversal of that February position and according to Minister of Housing, Michael Finnegan, the N.T.U.C.B. has out of the blue now decided to join the committee. Finnegan says the N.T.UC.B. wants to take over the committee.

Michael Finnegan, Minister of Housing
“We received a letter from the N.T.U.C.B. that they want to be a part now of this Venezuelan Housing Project that we had asked them to oversee. In my view, we want to have respect for our social partners that’s why we asked them to come in and join and play an overseer role and to be a partner in that project, they refused. They sent a letter refusing to be a part of the thing. Now all of a sudden last week five months later, they sent a next letter wanting to be a part of the process.”

Jose Sanchez
“Why the change of heart?”

Michael Finnegan
“I don’t know that ship has already gone. That train has moved on. They will have to catch it at the next junction and as far as I am concerned, the decision won’t be mine, that will be a decision for Cabinet but as far as I am concerned. But if I was to make the decision it was to make the decision, that is a complete no, no.”

Jose Sanchez
“Did they give you a reason why they want to be part of the process now? Money has been spent, how much have you spent on housing?”

Michael Finnegan
“Two million dollars and I guess last week it was two million, it might be an additional five hundred thousand dollars. No reason was given why they want to be a part now. They just write and say see four names yah, put den yah four name regional committees that you have. I feel like that is—you don’t treat people like that. You don’t treat people like that.”