After 7News exposed the seriously shady security contracts awarded by the Belize Airports Authority to the iSecurity and Four Diamond firms exactly one year ago, the Belize Airports Authority has been shamed into hiring a reputable security firm with a proven track record.
The past contracts came under scrutiny after a Tropic Airplane was hijacked by an American national in April. The hijacker got on the flight with a knife- which he used to take over the plane - until he was killed by a passenger who had a gun.
The Minister of Civil Aviation Briceno gave us the news of the new firm hiring on Friday. While he couldn't recall the name of the new security company, we can tell you that it's been awarded to Security Alliance, a Florida based company which provides security for the US Embassy.
The PM explained that it was the only company that met all the requirements.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I'm trying to remember the name, but it's a company that provides services, security services for the US Embassy here. It's probably the only company that really met all the requirements for the contract. Highly qualified. They also have offices in Miami too. I can't remember the name, but we could get the name to you. I'll recall and I'll give it to you so you could make that announcement. But it's open and everything, so you can take a look at anything that you want."
Courtney Menzies:
"What happened to the money paid to the last contractors?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"What monies?"
Courtney Menzies:
"They were given advance payments."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Remember, were paid for the months that the contract was in place, and so that's it."
Courtney Menzies:
"But they weren't actually working for those months."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"That's your opinion, but maybe you should ask BAA over that, but what it is under the contract, they were paid monthly fees. And so when the contract was broken we were fortunate that they agreed not to sue because they could have sued the government or BAA. So we were just happy that we managed to amicably settle in that contract. And now we have a new contract with a company that's well qualified."
