And while the uproar over the abrupt end to the sitting was one thing, the issue of the supposed sweetheart deal to the BACC is another. Did government really extend a guarantee to a company in which the Prime Minister's brother is a principal player? We'll let you decide.
Michael Finnegan,
"As usual the Speaker is always rude, she is a PUP fanatic and never gives you an even break in the House. But let me ask you something, the Prime Minister admitted that there was a lease. No responsible government will allow the Airport Concession Group to just walk into a lending institution with the lease of the whole Phillip Goldson Airport just like that. Suppose those people default on their arrangements with the bank? That means you are telling me that First Caribbean Bank will just walk in and haul the Phillip Goldson Airport from under the legs or the arms of the people of Belize?"
Jules Vasquez,
So you're not moving from your position?
Michael Finnegan,
"No. They have guaranteed the loan for $12.5 million all signed on the 3rd of June. How many times haven't you seen the Prime Minister come in here and lie when he gets caught and wiggle his way out? This is just another occasion. They cannot guarantee a loan for the poor, black employees of BTL but they can guarantee loans for the his brother and his brothers rich friends."
Jules Vasquez,
You are the Minister with responsibility for the Belize Airports Authority, Mr. Finnegan has said the fundamental thing is that government has given a guarantee for the BACC, a government guarantee for a private company. What's your response?
Vildo Marin, Minister of Communications
"I am saying that the government did not give any sovereign guarantee to the BACC. What the BAA did was sign a lease with the BACC and in turn they have gone to the First Caribbean Bank and borrowed the money on their account and on their own equity that they have put into this new company."
Jules Vasquez,
From your perspective the government has not gone out of its way to accommodate the BACC? The member from Mesopotamia is saying they went out of their way because the Prime Minister's brother is involved.
Vildo Marin,
"Not so. They are Belizeans and they are investing their money in Belize and that's what we want. We want Belizeans to invest in Belize and I'm very happy to know that we have Belizeans involved in this company and certainly the government is lending a hand to ensure that at the end of the day we have an expanded airport terminal and runway in order to accommodate those planes from Europe."
