Cabinet Retreat at Dream Valley Resort

Kareem Musa

There was no cabinet meeting earlier this week because the ministers will instead gather on Thursday for an overnight at Dream Valley Resort in Teakettle, Cayo.  The change in venue has many asking what’s wrong with the House of Culture in Belize City where they would often meet and at what cost to taxpayers.  According to Prime Minister John Briceño, the retreat is to discuss the 2022 budget, ways to provide some relief to the cost of living, and the COVID-19 pandemic among other issues. News Five spoke with Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa who says the two day session is all about work.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“It will be at I think a place called Dream Valley. I believe it is outside Belmopan.”

Reporter

“Okay so when people hear the word retreat, they think about rest and relaxation and I guess for the ministers’ planning. Share the cost.”

Kareem Musa

“This is absolutely not rest and relaxation; it’s quite the opposite. It is actually dedicated to fully addressing like you said certain important issues that we have moving forward especially the upcoming budget for the financial year. So there is no rest and relaxation involved. In terms of the cost for the one night, you would have to check with the financial secretary. I am not privy to those costs.”

Reporter

“Allow me to put to you sir that what you can do at Dream Valley, you can do at an extended cabinet meeting.”

Kareem Musa

“It’s possible, like I said, but it is important for us to meet together as cabinet in an isolated environment to tackle these issues where there are no day-to-day distractions that we may have at a cabinet meeting and certainly for us to all be able to put on our thinking caps to coming up with the plan on the way forward.”