And while the Leader of the Opposition believes that the changes only worsen the political fortunes for the Musa administration, in his new year's message, the Prime Minister was unbroken and upbeat. He says: "any unbiased observer will conclude that Belize has done well..." And, commenting on downsizing Cabinet by 4 members, he said that it's just about cutting costs and maintaining growth.
Said Musa, Prime Minister
"We must maintain that hard won economic growth in the face of heightened competition to a market-driven global economy while concentrating on two things: reducing the cost of government by living within our means, and ensuring that those who have not yet benefited from the economic growth are afforded greater opportunities to fit themselves out of poverty."
"In this context, I have downsized the Cabinet and will ask members of the National Assembly to agree to a reduction in our salaries. At the same time, I am sure that those of you who have benefited from the economic growth will agree to share the burden so that any further adjustment that may become necessary should not fall disproportionately on the shoulders of the working poor."
Today those equitable tax measures were discussed at a public finance committee meeting. The meeting went on without former ministers Espat and Courtenay.
And in a reversal to what was printed on the official release and what we were told by senior press office Staff, yesterday, ministers Joe Coye and John Briceno will continue to serve as ministers of state in the Ministry of Finance. Also of note is that, though it was omitted from yesterday's release, Joe Coye, picks up the ministries of public service and transport, while Godfrey Smith also picks up the ministries of information and broadcasting. Neither Coye nor Smith would comment today.
