Was Dr. Carlos Itza Fired for Speaking Out?
Chairman of the Sugar Control Production Committee, Doctor Carlos Itza has finally heard from the Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board, Gabriel Martinez. But the letter gave him his marching orders. Itza was informed that his post as Sugar Cane Specialist and Sugar Cane Technical Assistant with the Sugar Industry Control Board has become redundant. Itza is also told that his contract with the S.I.C.B. that comes to an end August thirtieth, 2018, will not be renewed. In an interview with News Five on Tuesday, Itza alleged mismanagement within the S.I.C.B. He has been expressing concerns over the board’s financial status for the past two years. He says that during that time, he has been threatened. Itza’s termination is not a surprise as he told News Five earlier in the week that Martinez has been seeking ways to get rid of him.
Carlos Itza
Dr. Carlos Itza, Chairman, Sugar Cane Production Committee
“I believe that the chairman of the SICB has even went ahead and provided information to other ministers who support him and therefore I do not know what information has been shared to him as to why he is seeing me as a problematic person in the industry. He has basically tried to maneuver myself out of the industry and therefore I am taking this opportunity to report because the real information is that there is mismanagement at the SICB. I am reporting on that mismanagement and I believe that is the reason he is seeking all the way in order to get rid of me as a representative of the SICB and also the SCPC. I have suffered several strikes against me by cane farmers because sometimes they are politically motivated but sometimes also because some farmers generally resist changes that are happening. I think those I am not concerned but when I start to see that I start to issue a lot of complaints against the SICB, I have found myself to be physically threatened even at home. So I hope it is not related but if it is related than let police investigate.”
Hipolito Novelo
“You were attacked at your own home?”
Dr. Carlos Itza
“Yes I have been attacked several times but I have filed a police report against those attacks that have happened. I do not know the people that are doing it.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you know the motive?”
Dr. Carlos Itza
“I don’t know the motive or the people who are doing it.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you believe that is maybe connected to you speaking out in terms to what is happening in the Sugar Industry?”
Dr. Carlos Itza
“I think it can be related.”
Itza will be meeting with his lawyers on Friday to see if he can mount a legal challenge against his termination.
