…But U.D.P. Senators say country is now better off

Marconi Sosa

The Opposition Senator Collet Montejo says we are living in a nightmare, the U.D.P. appointed senators say that we are living in a good country and yes, they are both referring to the very same country, Belize. Senator Joy Grant’s address to the senate contained words like growth and prosperity, while Senator Marconi Sosa spent all his time criticizing the past P.U.P. government of 1998-2008 with an attack on the private sector thrown in for good measure.

Marconi Sosa, U.D.P. Senator

“During the period Mister President of P.U.P. governance from 1998 to 2008, the government institution resembled a casino; huge and risky bets had been made with the Belizean people’s money. It became a deadly game of finances and many regulators who were supposed to prevent the crisis upcoming; either ignored their authority or simply became players in the gambling game. No wonder it was within that period of time that the P.U.P. government introduced casinos in Belize while they wanted to offer a new toy to the Belizean citizenry to spend the little that we had. Much less they were diverting the attention to convert the institution of governance into a casino itself. Joining to these regulators who ignored their responsibilities were prominent members of the private sector playing within this casino institution. There were prominent members of the business community aligning themselves to the gambling game of governance and strategic investors who were wolves wearing sheep clothes.”

Joy Grant

Joy Grant, U.D.P. Senator

“We hear of large countries; countries in Europe who are suffering from fiscal and economic constraints and have serious problems to face. I also look to the region and state that Belize has had growth where many of the other nation countries or island neighbors have not. So as we look to the budget, we must put it within the context of what’s happening regionally and also internationally. And with that background, I know that we all then must say that Belize under this U.D.P. administration has done extremely well in maintaining the course and also bringing development to the Belizean people. This budget continues to reflect good fiscal responsibility that has become the hallmark of this U.D.P. administration. This budget will ensure that we continue to expand the platform of good governance, transparency and accountability that will allow us to remain steadfast on the path of prosperity for all our people.”

The senate proceedings concluded mid-afternoon with ratification of the budget for the new financial year.