The Port of Big Creek is currently the only port in the Stann Creek District that handles import and export cargo, but there have been plans for a return to commercial activity at the Commerce Bight Port.
The former Barrow Administration made past election promises to reopen Commerce Bight, but the closest they got to delivering on that commitment was the approval late last year of a 25-year lease to the company known as Recological Systems Limited. That company is reportedly in the process of rebuilding this abandoned Dangriga facility, but one of the investors has come out publicly to ask the Briceno Government to revoke that lease. He thinks that Belizeans should not support RSL, whose operation he is calling into question.
He's Belizean businessman Abraham Froese, and he said that he paid 2 million dollars to buy shares in RSL back when the lead personality for the company was Alan Gobie. Froese claims that after his purchase, he had major difficulties in getting the 50% shares he paid for and that after a significant turn-around, he later learned that some of the remaining shares ended up in the ownership of companies that he couldn't establish a business relationship with. Froese says that the continuous turn-around for months caused him to become suspicious, and so, he hired someone to try to get to the bottom of the company's ownership.
This investor and his team say that they have unearthed what they accept as proof that Alan Gobie was basically fronting the operation for former UDP Cabinet Minister Frank "Papa" Mena, and his CEO, Dr. Peter Allen.
Today, they called a press conference to make their case against the company that he should partially own. 7News attended, and here's what they had to say on the topic:
Abraham Froese - Invested $2 Million "The information, no financials were forthcoming. When we finally got to the point where we - we forced the shares to come through. We had a lawyer to do it, and we found out that Alan Gobi had sold - or transferred 76% of the shares already to P Projects. That left only the 33%, which at that point, were able finally to transfer it to Bel Caribe. When P Projects came and took control of the other shares, we have never again heard - we have requested. We've never heard; they've never had the decency of an answer from them. It was just a complete lockdown. So, from late 2019, we don't know what happened. We found out that just lately, that they had a signed license on Commerce Bight Port."
Indira Mejia - Spokesperson Froese Brothers "They have invested 2 million [dollars], and they haven't gotten back any returns on their 2 million, and to find out that they are secretly in a business deal with people they've never met and sat with or consented to be in business with them. Alan Gobi has said that the money went to the real owners of Recological. So, in my email to Mr. Gobi, I asked for some clarity on who are the principals of Recological. And, that was when he disclosed who they were. Mr. Allan Gobi disclosed to the Froeses that he was not the owner of the company, Recological, that his role was only as a frontman for one Frank "Papa" Mena, one Dr. Peter Allen, and one Dr. Binger."
Reporter "They can make the case that at this time, the only thing that you have presented in black-and-white to tie them to this particular operation is the written testament of one individual, which could be hearsay evidence. What's your response to that?"
Indira Mejia "Well, he was the person that had the company. He was the one who registered the company. He's the only person who can tell that story, and that is why we sought clarity from him because we didn't have any evidence of it. And if you follow the timeline, the time events of everything, the sequence, where Recological changed course from what was the original plan, it all started after that energy conference. Where was the first office for Recological? [It was] in Dangriga. There is so much to connect the previous minister to Recological. There's so much, the land acquired behind the Port. Everything was rushed but COVID came, and that basically, I believe, was what slowed down their plans. Had COVID not come, I think you would have seen the full benefits, and who are principals and players behind Recological. This was a document that they sent to this present administration, and it states. It says, There was a change in direction of the project following a Cabinet meeting early third quarter, where the topic of the cost of electricity was discussed. So, you follow the chronological order where RSL started switching from oil and exports to now energy. And where would this come from? Where would they get that information? Where would they be directed into that area?"
Reporter "What are the main objectives of the investor?"
Indira Mejia "He's trying to recover his 2 million dollars invested, but in the interim, he's asking the government and the proper minister if they can be a recall that lease because technically they're being involved. They hold shares in that company, and they're being involved in financial dealings they don't have any knowledge [about] They don't have any access to the company."
Abraham Froese "We think Dangriga and Stann Creek should benefit from this project. We don't see this happening with the current Recological company. They've shown that their interest is in themselves."
This evening, we spoke via telephone with Frank "Papa" Mena, who was particularly infuriated by the allegation, which he described as baseless and careless. He told us that he ready to bring a lawsuit against Froese for slander. He said that he has no connection to Recological Systems Limited and that at this time, he has enough financial worries, such as his mortgage.
We also contacted Dr. Peter Allen for comment, and via WhatsApp, he told us, quote, "There is no truth to that at all! Frank Mena, as the Minister with responsibility for energy, and as the area rep for the Dangriga constituency, and myself as his CEO, were involved with promoting the energy-related policies of GOB and advocating for the reopening of Commerce Bight. I know the past (Alan Gobie) and current (Paul Martin) principles of RSL of course since they were involved with Commerce Bight - but that is about it!" End quote.
