Leader of the Opposition outlines GOB’s downfalls in 2009

John Briceno

Turning to political news, it was their first press conference for this year, and from the looks of it, the People’s United Party started the year with a bang.  The Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, had the opening salvo and he was backed up by two of his deputy leaders, Mark Espat and Francis Fonseca, and the national campaign manager and Senator Eamon Courtenay at this morning’s event at Independence Hall. It was a show of unity as both the old and new turned up, notables such as the former Prime Minister Said Musa took the front row. The proceedings dealt with four hot button issues: the economy, recession, crime and the Guatemalan dispute.  There were other issues on the agenda, including a proposal to liaise with the United Nations to allow a limited number of Haitian refugees make Belize their home.  The focal point for the party leader was the economy.  Briceño indicated that two major foreign exchange earners for the country, the citrus and cane industries, are in shambles while the government remains ineffective in handling even the most basic of its duties, to improve the lives of the people.

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“Our economy is in a mess. For three quarters in a row our economy had negative growth.   Should the next quarter show similar results, we will be in a depression. I must tell you that my Party is growing increasingly more concerned about the crisis in the sugar industry.  Yesterday we released a statement that puts the problems in the sugar industry squarely on the government’s neglect of its responsibility to the 8,000 cane farmers and their families.

The growing rift between the farmers and Belize Sugar Industries Limited is one that has been going on for some time now. I believe this situation is being made worst because of Belmopan’s refusal to sit down with the cane farmers and work out a solution that is in their best interest.  We in the People’s United Party believe that: one, the time has come for the farmers to have a greater say in what is going on in the Industry.  It is time for a cane farmer to sit on the board of directors of BSI. Two, in 2006, our Government successfully negotiated with the European Union for funding of forty-eight million Euros for improvements in the sugar cane industry, especially in areas of infrastructure and cane productivity.  As much as forty-eight million more Euros could be made available between 2011 and 2013.  Added together this would amount to over two hundred and forty million in investment in the industry.  We must ensure that this money is being used for the benefit of the cane farmers.  Given what has occurred so far, we have seen no benefits to the cane farmers and therefore demand that: Government finds the necessary technical expertise to access the EU funds in a timely manner.”

“The Citrus Industry accounts for nineteen percent of total exports and is also a vital part of the life of people in the south, providing for five hundred growers and their families.  We must do everything possible to protect this industry for Belizeans, primarily the small growers. Current actions by the Government should include ensuring that the Citrus Growers Association, the CGA remains viable and that it is not marginalized in the revision and updating of the Citrus Production and Processing Act.  We want to see growers, participating fully in the administration of the price formula agreement.  We also expect that the CGA will be able to appoint their representatives to the CPBL board and we expect everyone to work for the development of this important industry.”

“After almost two years of this UDP government, we in the PUP believe it is evident that this Barrow administration lacks the capacity to govern. We believe they lack the competence to lead and the vision to move this country forward.

Like the rest of the nation, we are tired of the excuses and the blame game. We want to see a plan that will bring back confidence to investors and this is why we are calling on the Prime Minister to cut interest rates especially for those in the productive sector.  We want to see a more aggressive programme to bring opportunities to at risk neighborhoods, especially in the south side of Belize City. We are demanding that he finds a way to access capital to help small businesses especially those in the tourism sector. We want more police officers on our streets and we want the Prime Minister to bring down the cost of living no matter what.”

The People’s United Party will present a donation of ten thousand dollars to the Belize Red Cross on Wednesday. Briceño also called on the government to provide monetary compensation to the family of Antanacio Garcia, the canero who was killed during the strikes.  More on the PUP’s press conference later in the newscast.