100 Million Dollar Loan to be Administered by Taiwanese Company in Guatemala

Kareem Musa

Government’s fifty million U.S.-dollar loan from Taiwan to upgrade the Sarteneja Road will be administered through a Taiwanese company in Guatemala.  It’s an interesting bit of information revealed during Friday’s house meeting.  Overseas Engineering and Construction Company will act as the special purpose vehicle to oversee the project, presumably in the manner in which Belize Infrastructure Limited operates on behalf of the Barrow Administration.  But in the context of corruption, Caribbean Shores Area Rep Kareem Musa says it’s because Taiwan doesn’t trust the Government of Belize with the hundred million dollar disbursement.

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores

“What they are not telling the Belizean people is that this money is not coming to them the PetroCaribe came to them and they squandered it like a bonanza.  Believe it or not Belize, this fifty million U.S. dollars is going to Guatemala to a company set up in Guatemala by the Taiwanese.  So now not even the Taiwanese trust this government with money.  Not even the Taiwanese trust these addicts with money any longer, that they are sending the money to a company called Overseas Engineering and Construction Company, OECC.  A company, again, set up in Guatemala that will be getting these funds and will be constructing the road.  Minister of Works, you want to say if that is true that your ministry that has been the most corrupt ministry in this government will not get to touch this money.  You want to get up and speak on that?  You will not because you all are addicts and even Taiwan recognizes that. And again, I just want to join the member for Corozal Southeast in thanking Taiwan for this fifty million dollar loan and thanking them even more so for not putting it in these boys’ hands.  Thank you, Madam Speaker.”