Opposition Says There’s Lack of Accountability in Petrocaribe Expenditure
Lisa Shoman
And then the rest of the field from both sides of the Senate weighed in. From the Opposition side there is a clear problem because while they are being asked to approve the expenditure of more than forty-four million dollars between October and December 2015, they say they have been provided with absolutely no details on how that money has been spent – just a one liner with no description. Of course, for the senators on the government side, that is all much ado about nothing and they don’t see any problem with it.
Lisa Shoman, Senator, People’s United Party
“What is constituency allowance? What constituency does the Ministry of Works Transport and NEMO have that it spent in April to September three hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars, but which it spent a ballooned three times as much, one point one million dollars in the period of October to December 2015? I want hear somebody tell me that that has something to do with November the fourth, but maybe we don’t want to remember November the fourth at that point. What constituency are we referring to.”
Macario Coy
Macario Coy, Senator, United Democratic Party
“I can say and I can assure to all of us here Mister President that this country is enjoying the benefits of this government. And let me just make it on record Mister President that this government is a government for all; not just on this side or on that side. This government is for all of us, Mister President.”
Anthony Sylvestre
Anthony Sylvestre, Senator, People’s United Party
“There was approval of ten million five hundred thousand dollars for BIL to spend and that would have taken BIL’s expenditure from April to September of 2015, but in fact they only spent seven million six hundred and seventy-two thousand. Fine enough, good, but somehow, they found a way to still spend the three million and even more. And we noticed that between October and December, BIL spent seven million five hundred and seventy-two thousand. Now BIL, as we may know or some of us may have forgotten, is supposed to be in the business of constructing sporting facilities. Now I want the senators, anyone of them, to show me any sporting facilities that were constructed between October and December weh cost seven million five hundred and seventy-two thousand.”
Aldo Salazar
Aldo Salazar, Senator, United Democratic Party
“I could stand here like some of my colleagues and make a big pretty speech for forty minutes about political rhetoric, bang on the table and act in that manner, but…you should not interrupt me and you want to elucidate something. But yes, so I am saying, I could stand up and make a big pretty speech as well, but I am not going to do that. I’m simply going to say that I too am satisfied that the monies are being put to good use and there is no need to call for a division because I can say now that I too support this.”
Senator Shoman called for a division of votes which was done. All six government senators and the Church representative votes yes, while the opposition senators and business sector senator voted no – for a final tally of seven to four. Of note is that the unions are yet to appoint their senator.
