Private sector in favor of senate-led investigation on immigration department

Mark Lizarraga

While ordinary Belizeans overwhelming support a criminal investigation, we asked the private sector today if they support a motion for a senate investigation. During a special sitting on October second, Opposition Senator, Lisa Shoman proposed that the senate leads an independent investigation into the improprieties at the Immigration and Nationality Department. While the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has issued a release stating that it is prepared to support any investigation into the matter, Mark Lizarraga says that the findings of an objective probe cannot be allowed to languish on the bookshelf.

Mark Lizarraga, Business Senator

“Right now it’s just a proposed motion.  I have not seen the contents of any such motion.  As you know Senator Shoman has asked the Leader of Government Business to assist I guess, or to participate in supporting such a motion when she makes it.  She has not made it and I have not seen that motion as yet.  But I must say that the [Belize] Chamber [of Commerce & Industry] has made a release that speaks to inquiries, investigations and I believe that they even called in their release for the senate to participate in such [activities].  I must say that in principle we are very much in favor of more oversight and certainly oversight using the senate to do those functions that it is tasked to do under the constitution.  Of course, this type of investigation would fall under that category.  So we would certainly, in principle, support such a motion.  My particular concern is that I would like to see before I say out rightly that I support such a motion I would like to see the contents of that motion taking into consideration the words of wisdom from the Leader of Government Business Godwin Hulse where he believes that at the end of this process it just, the report sits on a shelf and nothing happened.  I disagree with him in a certain way because I believe a lot of good came from that investigation.  I think a lot of good things came to public light.”