Belmopan Councilor Bashes Mayor Over Foreign Trips; Mayor Responds

Sharon Palacio

One of the points of contention raised by Councilor Nikki Augustine on her post was that the fundamental needs of the capital, having clean drains and streets, are not being prioritized because, in her words, the focus has not been on the betterment of this city but rather on personal benefits and trips. But when we sat down with her today, Mayor Sharon Palacio said the trips she takes are paid for personally and that they are geared toward attracting business to Belmopan.

Sharon Palacio, Mayor, Belmopan

“They can come and check here. My trips are properly funded by myself.”

Marion Ali

“Not with the council’s funds?”

Sharon Palacio

“No, no, no, no! You can check City Council, they can come here. City Council can’t even afford to pay for my ticket, and my trip to Africa is very beneficial. Recently, we graduated how many people from the soap-making (project)?”

Marion Ali

“And that was personally pursued?”

Sharon Palacio

“Yeah, I personally went to Ghana asking for help. And the kind of help that we’ll be receiving they won’t be able to understand because these countries have money and they want to help. I had two mayors over the weekend – have you ever heard about two mayors visiting you one day apart? You understand? So I can safely say that what needs to happen is for us to sit down. They can begin to assume and imagine but City Council can’t pay for my trips, cannot!”

Marion Ali

“Have you opened the books to them to let them see?”

Sharon Palacio

“That is exactly what needs to happen. They need to come in. I cannot open books for vacant seats. They need to come.”

Marion Ali

“Have they asked you to…”

Sharon Palacio

“Look, I am not a tyrant, but I just believe that there’s somebody pushing these four people because they refuse to come in.”