The new Minister of Agriculture also told us today that the Briceno Administration intends to appoint a new chairman of the Sugar Industries Control Board. That's the body that oversees the proper management of the sugar industries in the north, and reports reaching the press this weekend were that a computer from SICB's headquarters was removed.
That computer reportedly had receipts and important documents for the use of government funds allocated to the sugar industry, and when our CTV colleagues asked Jose Mai about it, he said that he has reported the unauthorized removal to the police:
Reporter:
"Over the weekend we received reports that one of the computers, the desktop computers sorry from the SICB from the sugar industry control board was retrieved by police from an employee of that area. Are you aware of this?"
Hon. Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, Enterprise
"Of course, I am aware of the desktop that was taken from the sugar industry control board offices. We know of files and copies of fuel receipts missing, we know who took it out and we know who was trying to get it destroyed by fire. That report will be forwarded to the police and we are seeking that criminal investigation be opened into this particular matter. This nonsense about corruption has to stop, we have spoken to the commanding officer of Orange and have spoken to the commissioner of police, I've shared my information with them and this will have to be retrieved."
