Still No Copy of Imer Hernandez’s Coastal Road Contract

On December fifth, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry formally wrote the Government of Belize requesting a copy of the contract signed by Imer Hernandez for the Coastal Highway Upgrading Project.  The contract which was awarded to Imer Hernandez Development Company Limited and Construcciones y Carreteras for the execution of the road works which is set to begin in the early part of this year.  While the Ministry of Works has acknowledged the chamber’s request, it is yet to make available a facsimile of that document.  In fact, Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, following a senate meeting on Christmas Eve, criticized the private sector organization for not properly invoking the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of that contract.  But several weeks have since passed and the B.C.C.I. seems no closer to getting its hands on the document, despite concerns being raised by the opposition at the last house meeting in respect of the tendering and award process regarding the project.  The work of the nephew of the former DPM Gaspar Vega, has been heavily scrutinized, particularly in light of the fact that several contracts have been awarded to his company under the present administration.