Barrow Vs Opposition; debate on Telemedia shares at house meeting
Dean barrow
The House of Representatives met in Belmopan today and by two-thirty this afternoon the session was over. The two big agenda items dealt with Telemedia and immigration but there were also a number of side events during the proceedings. The nationalization of Telemedia continues to be the Achilles heel of the prime minister and he now appears to be flip flopping. Twenty-two million shares in the company went for sale to the public at five dollars each on October fifteenth. So far, the Social Security Board, is the only known strategic investor and government finds itself at pains to push the sale of shares. The sale is not moving fast enough and litigation continues to pile up, scaring away investors. Today the Prime Minister attempted to give comfort to investors saying that the money from the sales will be kept in a special account and admitted there’s a chance that the court might rule against the nationalization. Here’s how the debate went in the house between the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and the former prime minister.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Government has already said any monies that we get from anyone will be kept in special accounts, will not be touched. So I repeat again, in the unlikely event, the most unlikely event that anything were to go wrong in terms of the court action I don’t see, and the member for Fort George knows this, even if something were to have been found or were to be found to be wrong with the acquisition, perhaps a little extra damages. Nobody will give back any shares to Michael Ashcroft. In my respectful opinion but because as the leader said, I have already admitted, anything is possible in this time. We will keep those monies separate. We will keep those monies apart. We will keep those monies intact so that nobody will be prejudiced. No member of the public at the end of the day can ever be prejudiced by buying shares in Telemedia.”
John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
john briceno
“I have no problem and I will support for Belizeans to have an opportunity to own shares in a profitable company like B.T.L. The concerns is going to be what about the strategic investors? Will they be getting the same sweet deal that the Belizean shareholders will be getting? I mean these are some of the things that we have to answer when we are looking at this loan motion Mr. Speaker.”
Dean Barrow
“I also want to have you recollect that the initial offer for sale is not the entirety of the amount that government has acquired you know. This initial offer for sale is meant exclusively for Belizeans. Any offer to purchase made by a strategic investor, potential strategic investor. I am giving this House an undertaking that the sale agreement between the government and any potential strategic investor will be laid before this National Assembly so that you and the entirety of the Belizean public can see it.”
said musa
Said Musa, Area Representative, Fort George
“I would hope, incidentally, that the government would insist on getting US currency were the shares to be sold to say a foreign entity like Digicel at five dollars Belize a share. So we are right back Mr. Speaker, this is the point I really wanted to make, it’s a simple one. We’re right back to the government providing an accommodation; an accommodation agreement except you brought it to the House now. An accommodation of getting shares which by the Prime Minister’s own admission is worth much more than five dollars, getting it for five dollars Belize.”
If telimedia is as profitable as Mr. Barrow says it is, why doesn’t he buy it himself?. I think the man screwed up big and in turn want to screw us poor Belizean. I would like to know how many shares has Lois and Vasquez bought . I am afraid none. Cause they are no fools. No business man would want to take part in a business which is embroiled in a litigation.
no one should invest in this venture it is full of flaws and corruption before you know it it will be lick social security bankruped and no one will know where the money went to.
I don’t know what the PM is doing.He say the Money you pay for the shares will be kept separate.So what will the interest be on ur money? and why would he want to take the SSB money if he is not going to used it at this time?Something is wrong with the picture,And for sure after what he did with Ashcroft no one will invest in BTL.To me it look like the Tail waggling the Dog. And he have a personal problem with Ashcroft.But he must remember power it tempory and money is evil and Ashcroft had him in his pocket.So the looser is Power.In this case Ashcroft have Power and Money.so you guys pick the winner.
It s all about MONEY and personal benefit–It’s never about the Belizean People–All of you’s should
be placed in a leaky boat off Turneffe to do your arguments–BELIZEANS don’t be a friend of these
thieves-gangsters etc—-GET THEM,
I tell you this: there is no end to PUP hypocrisy. This man called Musa can still stand up and utter words like accomodation in the House? He should be in jail for what he did to this country.
It is obvious that we are all silenced and maybe awed by the vast number of issues plaguing our country under this UDP administration, I must say that I’m ashamed of the things coming out on the media from my country, usually when my co-workers would ask about Belize my response is always positive and paints a beautiful picture that makes them want to visit Belize, now I’m afraid that will no longer be possible to portrait.
I must now tell a different truth, one that will show the dark side of our once beautiful and solace society and one which will most likely scare them away; in fact when these news hits the international air waves I will be looked at as a liar, a fraud or worst.
I make reference to the murders which is on the rise, our industries, judiciary, social security and the lot, but worst of all the immigration scandal which puts our national security at high risk, our heritage, our newly recognized commonwealth status with the new passport are things that many from other countries are gleaming for, only to have that sold off for profit of some corrupted elected leaders? BS! Perdomo can hardly defend himself when interviewed, he talked about wanting to cry because of the pressures and responsibilities of his ministry, and that he’s been offered gifts in the form of whiskey and stuff like that? B$! It breaks my heart to hear a man of his age and position as a leader in our society talk in such a child like manner. These are the people that are making us all liars in the eyes of our friends and associates abroad who may inquire of us about Belize. I can only hope and pray that we find new leaders in this country because under PUP the same sort of crap was going on, only not and maybe not as disgraceful. Please people, let us all pray to one accord for our nation, and pray against these oppressors’ and criminals in high places. I’m also ashamed that I voted for this, but I must admit I was tired of the manipulation and brain washing by PUP.
SJS!
I didn’t see CORDELL HYDE and MARK ESPAT at the debate.
If they don’t want to represent their constituents then they should step down. Those two constituents are not being represented.
Power to Belizeans
O.k. I am convinced. I will be buying $100,000 worth of shares tomorrow; if Barrow says its cool – then its cool people…we can trust him.
Make it Monday.
I keep saying-both the pup and udp are a criminal organization-with criminals in both parties with a law degree.only that all thier scams are done legal,this belizeans lawyers make belize laws,and they will never be cought,this is what they went to law school for,i say not until a REVOLUTION rises in belize and kill al this lawyers in the pup and udp movement belize will never be free!!!!!
It is funny that sometimes the truth is revealed in unobtrusive ways…..lots of times the media houses and their writers do their own intentional spin depending on who OWNS the media house or controls it. In Belize each political entity owns and control the information being desimminated to the public. Sometimes it is innocently put out their by their individual interpritations or portrayal. AS WE HAVE WITNESSED IN THIS CASE THE INFORMATION COMES TO US DIRECTLY FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE…..THE HORSE’S MOUTH…SO TO SPEAK…….LIVE AND OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE, HEAR AND JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES! IT IS INSTANTENOUS AND LIVE……NO CHANCE TO RESEARCH AND FORMULATE A CALCULATED RESPONSE. THIS IS INDEED A GOOD SOURCH TO FIND THE TRUTH FOR BELIZEANS.
Belizeans must protest this move by the current government. NO SSB monies to go to BTL.
stand up Belize