N.T.U.C.B. questions government’s private company
Dylan Reneau
Aside from targeting inefficiencies in government ministries, the unions also made comments aimed at the latest government innovation, the much lauded special purpose vehicle, Belize Infrastructure Limited. N.T.U.C.B. President, Dylan Reneau, says there are a few things in the latest budget which concern them, and B.I.L. is at the top of the list. According to Reneau, they can’t quite figure out the justification for the company which will supposedly be public-owned but not controlled by the structures governing public departments.
Dylan Reneau, President, N.T.U.C.B.
“Let me start with the one that is most concerning. This special purpose vehicle that is going to be created…I think it’s called Belize Infrastructure Limited. What is happening is that government is suggesting that it will get sixty million dollars to put in this company to do infrastructure work. They will do the Civic Center, etc. Why can that not be done through the Ministry of Works? Why is it that we need to do these special purpose vehicles which in essence they will circumvent a lot…if it’s done through the Public Service, they will have to follow stringent rules and regulations. When it’s done through this quasi-public/private institution they would be able to circumvent some of the institutions. That is initially an alarm bell for us. That may well be one of those vehicles that could lead to some level of corruption. So we are concerned about that.”
Reneau says that they fully intend to air this concern and others they have about the budget and other issues at the proposed meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow.
So where did BIL come from? That’s what everyone wants to know. But what we do know is the following:
The entire Capital II Budget is about $65 million.
The entire Capital III Budget is is about $85 million.
None of the above includes the money for BIL!
The overall budget deficit is about -$60 million.
The moneys for the $60 million BIL Company is not reflected anywhere in the Estimates book for 2013-2014.
One can only conclude its another secret loan that will eventually form a part of the Super Bond that’s why GOB spent precious moments trying to renegotiate the terms of the bond. If you think back, the PM’s main reason for not paying the bond is because “we simply do not have the money”. We could not find $23 million less that nine months ago. But now we have $60 million from an unknown source to set up a company that will rival existing construction and consulting companies.
BIL- Barrow’s piggy bank. he knows he will be phased out at the next election so he has started his own savings from since he got in
After this government falls –one way or another, the sooner the better — we need a full accounting of this and all the other thefts, and just punishment for everyone involved.
No amnesty, no immunity, just steel bracelets for the guilty.
voice you concerns at international level on twitter @belize_1981
UN, WHO/PAHO, CC, IMF, IDB, US.gov, OAS,