PUP: BEL’s “real cost” must be told

Tuesday, September 1^st, 2015. Aaron Humes Reporting: The People’s United Party (PUP) says in a statement that the “real cost” of the acquisition of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) should be told to the Belizean people.

It reminded that to achieve that acquisition, he publicly spoke harshly of Fortis and BEL’s management to underline the crisis situation, and, quote, “using his parliamentary super-majority subverted the Constitution of Belize, bending its architecture in a violent and unnatural manner, in gross and indecent haste, in an ill-conceived, poorly structured move to undermine Fortis as an investor.”

The PUP complained of “bully tactics” in ramming through the settlement in the National Assembly in the space of less than a week – similar to how the acquisition was handled in 2011.

Now, they charge, the PM must ‘walk back his actions’ and underline the lack of confidence in his administration, which they say has been rocked by scandal, persecution of Belizeans and foreign investors, and damage to the economy.

The PUP wants to know about all the legal costs which have been paid to all attorneys who have worked in behalf of BEL/GOB and in particular, Barrow & Co. It asks, “Is this deal good for the Belizean people? How have we felt any benefit? What has been conceded to Fortis including serious tax breaks for life?”

The PUP says the cost of settlement is more than the US$35 million to be paid, and will be paid beyond the actual compensation. It concludes, “History will judge whether Barrow will in fact be absolved, or held culpable. It is this very Prime Minister who has subverted the Supreme Law of Belize, now is claiming triumph four short years later in this “settlement”.

Before Belize can be restored as a fiscally secure nation we must restore confidence as a law-biding nation; where our laws and institutions are honoured, where our government is accountable to the people and where the politics of hypocrisy and vindictiveness is replaced by a genuine political undertaking involving the participation of all committed to a vision of national social and economic renewal.”

The matter will be debated in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

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