Earlier in the news you heard all the good governance measures that the Briceno Administration is pushing to get enacted into law. That's all well and good, but it falls short of the standard of radical transparency that we'd like to see - where all government contracts are posted on an open platform for all the public and the press to review.
But, we're not there yet…and that's why when Jules Vasquez had Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Julius Espat on his UNCUT talk show in March, he pulled together many scraps of information to ask about over a hundred works contracts given out since the PUP had taken office.
Turns out Espat was ready: he had the whole list right there. We tried to prise it from him that night - but he said we would the getting it shortly. Tow months later - we're still waiting. Jules Vasquez catalogues this long wait for transparency - which we thought was a basic ethic of good governance:
WE've been in communication with Espat's CEO, Victor Espat who has twice told us he would try to expedite the report for us. We're standing by.
Shots Fired During Drug Bust
7 News has been able to confirm reports of a drug bust coming out of Ladyville. The seizure which happened after 4:00 took place on Scissors Tail street.
Reports on the ground say that the investigating team was from the Anti- Narcotics Unit of the Belize Police Department and that the parcels of drugs seized contained both marijuana and cocaine.
What made the incident even more notable, however, was the sound of gunfire which resounded when the officers sent a shot into the air as a warning to one of the men who attempted to escape the area.
He and his companions were ordered to sit on the pavement while three vehicles including an SUV, a small white truck, and a large flatbed truck were searched.
The drugs were discovered and retrieved from the SUV.
UN And EU Give Tech
The Civil Society National Reference Group has received a donation of several pieces of equipment including laptops, printers, flash drives and more through a partnership between the Spotlight Initiative, the UN and the European Union. These organizations held a handing over ceremony today where the United Nations Resident Coordinator, BrIgit Gerstenberg, explained that the equipment will allow the CSNRG to perform its function of advising, advocating, and holding the initiative accountable for its commitments.
And those commitments of the Spotlight Initiative focus on eliminating all forms of family violence and violence against women and girls. It's a timely donation following the gruesome murder of a woman and her child, and one that Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos Garcia says will assist in the initiative's fight.
The equipment will be used by the CSNRG for operational support and information communication and technology assistance in the three hubs being established throughout the country.
Is The COMPOL An AntiVaxxer???
One week ago, the Commissioner of Police told us he would get his COVID 19 vaccine by Friday, May 7th.
But, he never called us for that photo op, so we asked him today if he has gotten it. He gave its that Chester the Chesire cat grin:
So now the date is June 11th - Jules has promised to hold Chester's hand, if necessary.
3 COVID Cases
And while we wait for the COMPOL to lead the way for the police department, where vaccine numbers have been low…thankfully, the number of new cases is also low.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is tonight reporting 3 new cases. And with 13 new recoveries, our active numbers stand at 53. Two of those cases are hospitalized but the ministry is reporting no new deaths. Technical advisor Kathleen Azueta Cho has today's breakdown.
