A “Civic” Made of Gold?

The Belize Civic Center is nearing completion. It is projected, according to contractors International Environments Limited, to cost thirty-two million dollars under the Belize Infrastructure Limited, but widespread reports are that far more than that is being spent.  That special-purpose vehicle of the Government of Belize has contracted to build multiple sports stadia across Belize with funding provided through Petrocaribe. But few believe that a building the size and magnitude of the monument on Central American Boulevard could cost that much without someone creaming off the top. Long-standing engineer and contractor Rufus X thought he had hit on the answer when he paid a visit a few weeks ago, and recounted the story at Monday’s press briefing.

Rufus X

Rufus X, Member, COLA

“I still think we’re a day late and a dollar short, because just before I leave this country, the other day I went to the Civic auditorium and I was hacking at one of the metal columns, and a guy came up to me and asked me what the hell I‘m doing. I said well I’m a citizen here, and thirty-odd million dollars, this tells me it has to be twenty-four karat gold. (Laughs) That’s something we should have been questioning for a long time. What building in the world, in Belize, could cost thirty-odd million dollars?”