Members of the House Get Embroiled In Argument
During the proceedings, members from across the aisle engaged in their respective views on the fisheries loan, and at one point, the Speaker had to intervene when the Leader of the Opposition rose on a point of order. This was how the exchanges went, with most of the members supporting the loan motion.
Moses Shyne Barrow
Moses Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“We support our fishermen and women, and so we have no difficulty with these types of investments, but Madam Speaker, we must highlight the pathological, borrowing, the obsessive borrowing that is taking place by this government. And we must underline that this exposes the dishonesty in this government’s report of a robust G.D.P growth. If the economy was doing so well why can’t the government make this investment with all of the surplus that they should have, based on the reports that we get from the Honorable Prime Minister.”
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South
“While we may be talking of another loan to borrow, I want to make it clear that this plan here that was being done here for this $7 million was a carefully planned out studies that has yielded results now, and now we need to implement. And I say this because when we’re talking about artisanal fisher folks, especially those that the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Member of Mesop mentioned, directly up north, Sartaneja in particular, the traditional artisanal fisher folks that we must recognize. In fact, for your information, there are about, if our figures are right, there are about at least about 80 or so traditional fisher folks that continue to fish in that same manner and are the only recognized in Central America. So this much needed funds will go there to enhance to this much needed area that – they need to go to teaching sustainably, to grow sustainably.”
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
“This administration is almost at a billion dollars worth of loans. In two and a half years, going on three now, they’ve borrowed nine – what’s the figure there my friend – nine hundred and twelve million dollars. So we have to be concerned about this. Madam Speaker, I will say, however, that I think the cause of this loan in particular from the Inter American Development Bank is for generally a good cause, and I joined the government in that work to save our marine industry.”
Florencio Marin
Florencio Marin, Area Representative,
“I’m truly glad for the Leader of the Opposition’s comment on this loan because I will take this back to my people and tell them the support you are getting was opposed by the Leader of the Opposition. So whenever he goes there and wants to campaign, the people will already know he does not support this.”
Shyne Barrow
“On a point or order.”
Valerie Woods
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
“I need to hear the point of order, Member, please. Thank you. What’s the point of order?”
Moses Shyne Barrow
“Madam Speaker, he’s misstating what I have said. I said that I supported…”
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“That’s a clarification. What’s the point of order…”
Valerie Woods
“Elucidation? (To Marin) Are you yielding so that the Leader of the Opposition can elucidate?”
Florencio Marin
“Madam Speaker, he already made himself quite clear.”
Valerie Woods
“Are you?”
Florencio Marin
“No, I’m not.”
Valerie Woods
“Okay, continue please.”
Florencio Marin
“And please ask him to stop the interruption. We all know the charade of the interruption, noh? Yes, Madam Speaker, that’s one of the beauty of this when you have to expose yourself, alright? This is a beneficial bill for the fishermen. There is a phrase that goes out there – there’s a phrase that said we do not inherit the Earth. We are borrowing it from our children, we are doing this, Madam Speaker, in other words, that future generations of fishermen can continue to fish.”
