Offices of Ombudsman, Contractor General confirm separate independent investigations into Portico Definitive Agreement

By Aaron Humes: Ombudsman Gilbert Swazo and Contractor General Maria Arthurs have separately written to the Chief Executive Officer of Port of Belize Limited, Ted Peralta, confirming that their offices have found sufficient reasons for separate, independent investigations into the signing of the Definitive Agreement between the Government of Belize and Portico Enterprises Limited.

In June, Peralta made the request, but Contractor General Arthurs indicated in her response that “it is within the purview of the Contractor General… to independently initiate an investigation…this investigation aims to explore the potential existence of activities that might constitute a violation of law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, fraud, corruption, or other impropriety relating to the award of contract”.

Last week, Ombudsman Swazo informed CEO Peralta that the alleged unlawful actions of Former Minister Erwin Contreras in signing the Definitive Agreement without authority may have constituted an act of maladministration and that there are reasonable grounds to proceed with an investigation.

The Ombudsman had previously refused the request of Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow to investigate Prime Minister John Briceño’s decision to bring the Agreement to Cabinet for discussion, which ultimately voted against proceeding with it.

 

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