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And while the multilaterals applaud the Social Investment Fundâ š¬"that statutory board has been criticized recently for awarding too many contracts to a firm linked to Oscar Mira's brother.
Now we know that SIF uses the open tender processâ š¬"and contracts are awarded based on that.
But, could there be a fly in the works?
We asked Martinez as the minister of state for the economic transformation about what that tendering process will look like for the construction of these upcoming projects, and how contracts are awarded
Reporter
"How does the ministry, or more so CDB, ensure that the funds being spent under this initiativeâ š¬"we are talking about over 10 million dollarsâ š¬"that it is spent in a transparent manner and that specific companies are not looked at favorably or biasedly, just given reports or allegations that Mira-related family businesses like Fast Construction were looked at favorably?"
Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Transformation
"Yeah, fair question. So historically, one of the reasons why the implementation of projects is delayedâ š¬"I mean, we are implementing a project that was designed way back in 2010, you know, with CABEIâ š¬"the reason why it is delayed, and most of the time it takes some time, is because the Government of Belize does not have the authority to spend any funds that come from multilaterals or development partners under the recurrent budget. Normally, it will require the no-objection of the bank at every step. And if the government were to spend any fund without the no-objections from the bank, then the bank will practically say, you know, the government will have to carry that project on its own with government funds. And so, working with multilaterals is complicated. Many ministers and ministries hate it with a passion, but it is one of the most transparent ways of working. It takes time, but the multilaterals practically accompany us on every single step of the way."
Reporter
"Can you confirm whether Fast Construction ever received a contract to do works under this initiative through SIF?"
Osmond Martinez
"I believe they did. You will have to check with the executive director of SIF, but I believe they did. And they did with everyone that has received any contract, whether it is under the BNTF or any other program within SIF. And it has to go through the multilaterals; they need it to go through the procurement system, which the Ministry of Finance and the Contractor General are a part of as well, and in addition, the development partner."
