Only Three Area Reps from Cayo Were Named Ministers
Michel Chebat
In the Cayo district, Julius Espat will be the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Cayo Northeast Area Representative Orlando Habet is being given the portfolio of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management. His colleague from Cayo North Michel Chebat is now the Minister of Health and Wellness. And the man who defeated John Saldivar, Oscar Mira is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security. Here are their comments as they exited the meeting with the Prime Minister.
Michel Chebat, Area Rep., Cayo North
“As you rightly say the people have great expectations for us. That formed a major part of the conversation today.”
Reporter
“What ministry will you get if any?”
Michel Chebat
“That is a matter for the Prime Minister to announce and I will leave that for him.”
Reporter
“Sir there were reports that you being a senior counsel should have considered for the post of attorney general, is that something that has been forward to you?”
Michel Chebat
“Again that is a matter for the Prime Minister?”
Hipolito Novelo
“But are you satisfied with whatever position you were given?”
Michel Chebat
“Yes I did not run to be a minister. I ran to be an area representative and so whether or not I will be a minister is completely in the hands of the Prime Minister and he will make that decision. I think one of the different things with us is that our now Prime Minister has said very clearly that he intends to facilitate all of the area representatives to have monthly budget so that we can do the work in our constituencies so that we can deliver whether or not we are named a minister.”
Reporter
“That will be for red and blue?”
Michel Chebat
“I don’t know if it is going to be for red and blue but I am going to tell you it is going to be for blue. He will tell you whether it will be for red and blue.”
Oscar Mira
Oscar Mira, Area Rep., Belmopan
“When it comes to the portfolio the Prime Minister is going to announce that this afternoon.”
Reporter
“Are you satisfied with your portfolio?”
Oscar Mira
“I am satisfied that I am the area representative for Belmopan. That is what I ran for. We don’t run for minister of anything so as the area representative that is what I campaigned for and that is what I am now, the area representative for Belmopan and the Prime Minister is going to announce very shortly or later this afternoon the different ministries and the portfolio that he has addressed.”
Reporter
“It is going to be junior rank, Minister of State?”
Oscar Mira
“The Prime Minister is going to announce that.”
Reporter
“Talk to me about your plans for Belmopan, the constituency and the people who voted for you.”
Oscar Mira
“I think Belmopan has put all their confidence in me and I am very grateful for that. Belmopan went out in great numbers. The voters’ turnout was very high in Belmopan and they have placed their confidence in me and I am taking that responsibility very seriously as their area representative.”
