C.E.O. in Infrastructure Defends Sugar Road Contracts
Victor Espat
From housing to infrastructure development….C.E.O. in the Ministry, Victor Espat sought to clarify reports suggesting that a relative of Corozal Southwest Area Representative Ramiro Ramirez is receiving sugar road rehabilitation contracts from G.O.B. C.E.O. Espat defended the decision, saying family relations have no bearing on the company evaluations done and the ability to carry out the assignment.
Victor Espat, C.E.O., Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing
“I don’t know about any contracts that he is awarding. I know that our Ministry awards contracts throughout the North for the refurbishment of sugar roads. Right now we have contracts going on in all the constituencies in the North, because we are getting ready for the sugar season. We try to work with contractors from within the constituencies. These are legitimate contractors that have been screened, prequalified. So whether that specific contractor is related to Mr. Ramirez or not has no bearing in terms of the evaluation that was done, in terms of his ability to do the work or not. But, I can guarantee you that from our Ministry there is no connection, and our contractors are not influence by the politicians in the respective areas. Now, Belize is a small country. So, whether you have relatives in the same, in construction our any type of business, I don’t think that should disqualify them from being able to get a legitimate contract.”
Reporter
“But, you can’t fault the Belizean people for being suspicious for the things they witnessed in the past. How do you ensure transparency in a situation like this?”
Victor Espat
“Exactly what we did, we did a completion report on all the monies that was spent. I think this is the first time in the history of Belize that has been attempted. If you look within that report you will find the same company in that report. It also gives specifics as to which road they did, the scope of works. It also speaks to the value for the contract and so it was put out there. I believe that is where you are getting the information from, from the completion report that we issued. Under that emergency funds a few contracts were also issued to the same company in question. Now we are back again on another cycle of sugar repairs. That company is from that area or that constituency. So, I believe they have a couple of small contracts as well for work in that sugar area. We are talking about small contracts. Most of these contracts are under fifty thousand dollars.”
