Ministry of Housing give’s to Musa’s Fort George
The Venezuelan Housing fund made the headlines for over a year, not because of the good it would have done for Belizeans, but because the U.D.P. administration took former Prime Minister Said Musa to court for theft of ten million U.S. dollars. The Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh ruled that the charge be withdrawn against Musa because the evidence did not support theft. That was in June; and four months later, whether in a twist of fate or an act of magnanimity, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development issued purchase orders for home improvement and home construction for Fort George, Musa’s constituency. This afternoon, News Five sat down with Minister of Housing Michael Finnegan and asked him who would receive the four hundred and thirteen thousand one hundred and fifty-three dollars.
Michael Finnegan, Minister of Housing
“We handed over this morning documents or orders to the Fort George Division to the representative of the Fort George Division and then we will in turn pass it over to the people who are approved by the oversight committee.”
Jose Sanchez
“How much money are we talking about?”
Michael Finnegan
“We’re talking about some four hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, something along that range.”
Jose Sanchez
“The member for Fort George, Said Musa, is the same man that your government took to court over the Venezuela funds.”
Michael Finnegan
“That is true but remember, my ministry, myself and my government, we are committed to the poor of this country and the poor and the underprivileged of the Fort George Division. So what was done this morning is not for the area representative, it was done fro the poor, the depressed and the people of Fort George Division. That is what we are committed to; to the poor people of this country.”
Jose Sanchez
“But you do see the situation as we might see it—you taking this man fro this money and you put back some in his hands. Is there anyone else you could have put it into?”
Michael Finnegan
“Now, the money was not placed in his hands because dah noh money we give weh. We give away housing orders, which the people will take to the different construction businesses around the city to use for materials. And as I have said to you, these were not given to him. This government, the Ministry of Housing, we are committed to the poor and the unfortunate people of this country and dehn dah di kind ah people weh we want do thing fah.”
The purchase orders will be used for home construction for eleven residents of Fort George residents. Thirteen additional residents will receive grants for home improvement or repair.
