Opposition Leader Shyne says Prime Minister Briceño “singing for supper” on BISL deal

By Aaron Humes: Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow conceded that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) arrived at a decision and that Belize owes a debt.

But the Prime Minister’s narrative of events isn’t the entire story; left out, he pointed out, was the fact that it was a former PUP Government that sold out the contract for the Merchant Marine Registry and International Business Companies to Belize International Services Limited (BISL).

Accusations of condoning illicit activity aside, the younger Barrow charged that no one in Cabinet knew of the further 15-year extension of the original agreement, and while the UDP respected the contract when they took office in 2008, they could not abide the “secret agreement” made with BISL and had to take action, also pointing out that the court agreed with the former administration on that point.

In response, Minister of Education Francis Fonseca replied that the Leader of the Opposition was talking “nonsense.” Approval of the settlement is an affirmation, he said, that we are a nation of laws and supportive of the rule of law, and respect for court decisions.

Earlier, the Prime Minister said that the settlement of US$38.25 million including $11.5 million in Belize dollars was a 42 percent saving on a potential judgment of the court, before taking into account the lower interest rate the Government would use by drawing down on public reserves. Assuming both Houses approve the appropriation bills and separate settlement bill, a court consent order would be sought to give final effect to the terms of the settlement deed.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2022, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.