The sale of 9 acres of land within the Krooman Lagoon public reserve to Jitendra Chawla – it’s become a huge political issue, and today it played out on the floor of the National Assembly as fierce opponents John Briceno and Gaspar Vega debated it with verbal daggers. Briceno discussed the sale of Krooman within the context of what he characterized as a larger land grab in the ministry of natural resources. And it seems that what he said roused a beast within Vega who fired back with venom. Here’s a brief excerpt of the cross floor conflict that last for about forty five minutes.
Hon. Johnny Briceno, PUP Leader
“How can the Minister justify giving 9 acres of a reserve and not only 9 acres of the reserve, 9 acres of land in a constituency like the Collet division that where the people are crying out for land. These people under the previous government, under the PUP we gave them over 100 lots during our term in the Collet division. It is only then that during that time and if you would please call the attention of Cayo North for him to shut up for a little while so he can learn something instead of going on like an idiot in this house. Mr. Speaker can you please call his attention.”
Speaker Emil Arguelles,
“Hon. Member I had asked for comments not to be shouted across the aisle.”
Hon. Johnny Briceno,
“Thank you Mr. Speaker so how can he justify giving away 9 acres of land to one person when the people of Collet are crying out for more land because they need their houses and just as important, 9 acres in one of the last remaining drainage area for Belize City. There are several studies that have been done in that area where it showed that we had to stop giving out land in that area because if we had continued, to give land in that area Belize City is going to have even bigger challenges when it comes to the flooding in Belize City.
The Prime Minister said on the news last night, he said that Cabinet was informed by the Minister of Natural Resources that no title has been issued. We know that’s not true, title has been issued and then there is….”
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“On a point of order, you cannot come and mislead the House. It is a fact that no title has been issued. So do not continue to mislead the Speaker, the House and the nation by saying that a title has been issued. No title has been issued. You can’t produce any because none has been issued. Cease lying.”
Hon. Gaspar Vega, Minister of Natural Resources
“Talking about the Krooman’s Lagoon, I want to tell you that he is a perfect liar. He talks out of turn.”
Hon. Said Musa, Fort George
“On a point of order it is completely out of order to be calling anybody a liar.”
Hon. Gaspar Vega,
“Okay Mr. Speaker, I apologize and I will rephrase it, he knows that he was not saying the truth when he said that there is a title issued for that land. I know that he knows that that is not truth. Mr. Speaker I want to tell everyone in this House and everyone who is listening to me today that I can swear on my mother’s grave that no title has been issued.
In the Krooman’s Lagoon you know you gave to Polack, you know you gave to Jack Charles. You know you gave it to Jack Charles. You gave to Roe and Company, to Papi Pena. In fact you gave more land on the side of the road. You gave everything. You gave it away. Yes he bought it form the government.”
