Governance commission calls for reforms

All eyes will be on Cabinet tomorrow as that newly enlarged and emboldened group gets set to tackle the problem of government?s finances and the public?s lack of confidence in its leadership. And while we are not sure if the session will be characterised by candour or cover up, there are increasing signs that the public is not quite ready to forgive and forget. For one thing the UDP inspired protest march set for Saturday morning will be the first test of whether the Opposition can transform widespread discontent into focussed political action. And for another the collection of civil society groups calling for full disclosure and serious reforms in Belmopan is going beyond the collection of usual suspects. Today a quasi government group whose purpose goes to the core of the present crisis weighed in with a set of specific proposals regarding the Social Security Board, along with the hint of a wider mission.

The press release by the Belize Governance Improvement Commission follows a two day retreat held Friday and Saturday at Windy Hill Resort in Cayo. Expressing concern over the Social Security Board?s investment policy, the commission called for full public disclosure of the SSB portfolio and went on to request that the Senate exercise its legal authority to conduct its own investigation. The group also called for an adequate firewall to be built between the investment decisions of the SSB and the fiscal and economic policies of government. In conclusion, the release went beyond the social security issue and recommended “full, detailed and timely disclosure in the use of all public funds.” Chairman of the government appointed Commission is Dr. Carla Barnett, who, although appointed in her private capacity, also happens to be CEO in the Ministry of National Development. Other commissioners include Minister of Human Development Sylvia Flores, Senator Godwin Hulse, Dylan Reneau, Abdallah Bedran, Mayor Anthony Chanona, Bishop Sylvestre Romero Palma, Luz Langsworth, Herbert Wiltshire, Michael Polonio, Pulcheria Teul and Dr. Jason Price.