Opposition concerned about selection process for new ombudsman
Dean Barrow
The appointment of forty-five year old Lionel Arzu as the next ombudsman will be signed off by the Governor General in the days ahead. Arzu, has been recommended by the government to succeed former ombudsman Cynthia Pitts, whose three-year contract was not renewed when it expired in January. Following advertisement of the post, Arzu, was selected. His appointment was among the Orders of the Day at today’s house meeting as concerns were raised by the opposition about the selection process.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“The House looks at what really is the issue. Is Mister Lionel L. Arzu a fit and proper person; is he well-qualified? If they examine his CV, the answer to that question will seem to be not at all in doubt. This man has a Master of Science degree in international commerce and policy from Val Paraiso University, Val Paraiso Indiana. He got his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Science from Knoxville College, Knoxville Tennessee and he graduated Suma Cum Laude. So I wouldn’t go into the rest of the CV, but please I invite the members on the other side—with a fine tooth comb—to look at the CV; examine it in order to come to the conclusion that we on this side have certainly come to that Lionel Arzu is a fit and proper person. Just two points in closing. The member for Belize Rural Central seem to come very close to suggesting that being a lawyer would somehow have made all the difference in the world. First of all; that is not a requirement in terms of the qualifications that we seek when we are looking to appoint an ombudsman. The member said, but being a lawyer would stand him in goodstead. Member, its Christmas and I am determined not to be unkind. But I must say, being a lawyer hasn’t stood you in goodstead so I wouldn’t set too much stone on that.”
Arzu will also be appointed on a three year contract.
If judas made this pick then am against it because every decision that he has made has been wrong or he is giving the job to one of his friends and family every aspect of gov is in the drain because of appointments that this corrupt incompetent pm and gov has made therefore I am certain that this decision is also wrong remember if it look like a duck it probably is.
Like if being a good lawyer has put the PM, Lois, and Denys in goodstead. Two failed nationalizations of BTL under their watch all due to unlawful legislation. Huh! So much for all their legal prowess!
At the end of the day, PM Barrow is all glitter and no substance, and he masquerades his incompetence by bullying others.
“But I must say, being a lawyer hasn’t stood you in goodstead so I wouldn’t set too much stone on that.”
That’s not clever, it’s personal, and it’s a stupid thing for a “statesman” to say publicly in the halls of power. I had a donkey with better sense, judgment, and manners than that.
As for the ombudsman, I don’t know much about him, but the nation needs an active, strong voice to help represent citizens against government neglect and bullying, and I hope Mr. Arzu will be up to the task.
So we spend some more taxpayers money on a ridiculous , feckless, and inefficient ombudsman position while we tax the everyday Belizean to the hilt so we can give away our collected taxes to the rich non-taxed investors in the Corozal Economic Free Zone. What does this action tell us about Barrow and his Cum Laude minions? So go ahead Barrow use GST to tax and give away our national treasury to the rich. Increase the GST, Barrow , and give them some more undeserving tax holidays while the poor suffer some more by funding those rich investors. But we have to ask if these investors are so rich, why do they need a hand out from the poor taxpayers. So mote it be