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Contractor Imer Hernandez and the many multi-million dollar infrastructural contracts that he has been awarded under this U.D.P. government was the subject of a heated debated between Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Opposition Leader John Briceño. Hernandez is the nephew of the former DPM Gaspar Vega. Speaking on the adjournment, Briceño spoke on what he […]
Written on December 4, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Is Imer Hernandez G.O.B.’s Favorite Constructor?
In response to the statement made by Briceño, Prime Minister Dean Barrow defended Hernandez saying that these contracts are awarded by international entities which carry out their due diligence. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “You start off accusing this government of giving all these contracts to Imer, contracts that he doesn’t deserve because again you […]
Written on December 4, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Opposition Writes Lending Institutions over Imer Hernandez’s Contracts
Before the Imer Hernandez debated unfolded, during the Sitting of the House Minster of Works Rene Montero made a statement related to multimillion dollars Coastal Road contract that Hernandez’s firm was awarded. According to Montero, in June of this year the procurement process was initiated. Six companies made bids for Lot One and five made […]
Written on December 4, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Works Minister Explains How Imer Hernandez Got Coast Road Contract
Works Minister Rene Montero also spoke of government’s plans for the Haulover Bridge which his rapidly deteriorating. The Barrow Administration, in mid-October 2017 secured a twelve-million U.S. dollar loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development to replace the bridge. It was also pointed out back then that in 2014 the government had already secured sixty […]
Written on December 4, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Works Minister Says No Contract for Replacement of Haulover Bridge Signed
Members of the Opposition questioned the purpose of the loan, pointing out that there is a lot left to be desired for Belize’s education system. While the education system isn’t perfect, PM Barrow says that today’s signature programme calls for a celebration. Said Musa, Area Representative, Fort George “I would like to hear from […]
Written on December 4, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Opposition Party Criticizes G.O.B. Loan to Improve Quality of Education
One more item from the House…a motion to extend the land amnesty tax programme was tabled today. The Partial Remission of Land Tax Arrears Programme which was originally scheduled to last six months raised eyebrows and now the government’s move to extend the programme has raised further questions. Landowners, who owe land taxes, will be able […]
Written on December 4, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Lands Minister Says Land Amnesty Bill Has a Mistake
While the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore was at its capacity, outside near the parking lot, a handful of politicians and supporters of the People’s United Party gathered in protest. The area representatives and standard bearers were there to clamour for justice in the murder of Pastor Lucas, as well as other victims whose murders […]
Written on December 3, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on P.U.P. Demonstrates in the Name of Justice for Pastor Lue and Other Victims
The House Disciplinary Committee met today in Belmopan to discuss several items including a police report made P.U.P. Senator Doctor Louis Zabaneh against House Sergeant-at-Arms, macebearer Brian “Yellowman” Audinett. The allegation is that Audinett reportedly insulted Doctor Zabaneh on August sixteenth of this year, while inside the National Assembly. Doctor Zabaneh reported to police that Yellowman […]
Written on December 3, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on P.U.P. Senator takes on U.D.P. House Sergeant-at-Arms
A member of the House Committee is Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte. According to Peyrefitte, Doctor Zabaneh failed to submit a written report to the committee and as such there was no matter to consider. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General “We agreed that the Speaker would ask for the presence of both Senator Zabaneh and ‘Yellowman’ […]
Written on December 3, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on P.U.P. Senator Failed to Make Report against ‘Yellowman’ to House Disciplinary Committee
The People’s United Party was represented by Florencio Marin Junior who agreed that no report was submitted for the Committee to consider. Marin Junior, however, says that such issues should be addressed promptly and effectively to uphold the integrity of the chambers. Florencio Marin Jr., Area Representative, Corozal South East “Just as the Attorney […]
Written on December 3, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Can “Yellowman” and Zabaneh Hash It Out?
The House Sergeant of Arms, Brian “Yellowman” Audinett and Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber are at odds. Just recently, Audinett was fired from a position at the National Sports Council for neglect of duties. While the termination letter was signed by Director Ian Jones, those in the U.D.P. circle view this as a political move […]
Written on December 3, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on U.D.P. Chairman Says that Party Facing Challenging Times
A few members of the People’ United Party demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister’s office in Belmopan. One of the issues under protest is what is described as bloated contracts being awarded to known U.D.P. supporters and in particular to Imer Hernandez. On Monday, Hernandez received another contract from the government, this latest one […]
Written on December 3, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on P.U.P. Protest Bloated Contracts
Arguments wrapped up before the Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin on a case brought against the Government by John Briceño and Julius Espat of the People’s United Party. In the two-day proceedings the P.U.P. argued that the government spent one point three billion dollars without required approval and that is against the law. In his testimony […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on How Government Spends the People’s Money
The case suit against the Minister of Finance, the Financial Secretary and the Attorney General hinges on four main points and at the conclusion of the hearing, Espat told the media that the attorney for the government conceded to two of those four claims pertaining to the supplementary appropriation. Judgment in the matter has been […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on P.U.P. Case Against G.O.B. Wraps Up, Judgment Pending
The outcome of the challenge, according to Opposition Leader John Briceño, should set precedence for other jurisdictions within the region insofar as the expenditure of public funds. He also explains why the People’s United Party proceeded with the claim, despite the notion that the P.U.P. may very well form the next government in 2020. […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Johnny Says It’s About Transparency and Accountability
Guatemalan squatters who continue to illegally occupy private property belonging to businessman Jorge Espat on the Belizean side of western border, near the Adjacency Zone, continues to be an issue. Despite having reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the matter seems to be treated with little to no urgency on the part of […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Jorge Espat Meets with Opposition Leader to Discuss Removal of Guatemalan Squatters
On April tenth, 2019 Belizeans voted in favor of taking the Belize Guatemala dispute to the International Court of Justice to be settled permanently. A month later, Belize submitted its notification to the International Court of Justice which put in motion procedures agreed in the 2008 Special Agreement. It is expected that in one year’s time, […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on I.C.J. Bipartisan Committee Functioning Well, says John Briceño
In May 2018 the government signed a thirty-four million dollars contract with CISCO Construction Limited for the construction of the Airport Link Road. Works are currently underway, which include the construction of a bridge, several roundabouts and drainage. The government acquired land in that area to reportedly accommodate the designs. But reports reaching our newsroom are […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Land Minister Speaks on Reports of Land Grab along Developing Airport Link Road
An American investor says she has been jilted out of tens of thousands of dollars after a land transaction went south. Specific details of the allegations are still forthcoming but we understand that the woman transferred monies to the individual’s bank account and was hoping to receive her land documents. According to the woman, she […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Land Transaction Goes Sour; Buyer Loses Tens of Thousands of Dollars
In October 2013, Prime Minister Dean Barrow told the diaspora in Los Angeles that the Lands Department is another hotbed of corruption and that the administration tried to do something about the rot. The Ministry of Natural Resources has since been changed hands on four occasions: Gaspar Vega who resigned after a scandal emerged involving his […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Is Lands Department Still a Hotbed of Corruption?
According to Minister Patt, to enhance the Land Department’s efficiency in providing its service, a community outreach program has been designed whereby the department’s staff and officials such as the Minister and Land Commissioner would travel to communities and address specific lands issue. So far, ten communities have been visited and according to Minister Patt, […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Lands Department Mobilizes to Address Citizens’ Land Issues
On Tuesday Belizeans all over celebrated Garifuna Settlement Day. As a part of the activities, an official programme was held in the “culture capital” Dangriga. The re-enactment of the Garinagu journey from Saint Vincent to Belize, called the Yurumein, kicked off the celebrations in the early hours of the nineteenth morning. That was followed by […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on PM Addresses Culture Pressures at Garifuna Settlement Day
The theme for this year’s celebration, when translated, is “Garifuna Language is the foundation of Garifuna survival.” Leader of the Opposition John Briceño also spoke at the official ceremonies in Dangriga. In his speech, he championed the speaking of the language to help retain the culture. Here’s a snippet from his presentation. John Briceño, […]
Written on November 21, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Leader of the Opposition Champions the Garifuna Language
Opposition Leader John Briceño and Julius Espat, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, are claimants in a suit brought against the Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight and Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte. They are challenging government’s expenditure of over one point three billion dollars, including the PetroCaribe funds that were […]
Written on November 20, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on P.U.P. Legally Challenges Government Expenditure from Public Purse
While PM Barrow and AG Peyrefitte’s names appear as defendants on the claim, neither government officials appeared in court today. Instead, the financial secretary appeared alone and was represented by Queens Counsel Justin Simon. Under cross-examination, Waight admitted that government often exceeded the prescribed limit set under the Finance and Audit Reform Act. For his […]
Written on November 20, 2019 | Posted in
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Comments Off on FinSec Says Government Regularly Exceeds Approved Limit of Public Monies
