And while the PM praises the Minister of Infrastructure for getting value for taxpayers' money, what about a special exemption this minister got from the governor general.
It's a standard note to parliament which allows his private firm - in this case - Strukture Architects to get public contracts from the government.
We asked the PM about it:
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is it true that the Minister Of Infrastructure Development And Housing has gotten a special dispensation from the head of state - as necessary - for his private firm to get contracts from the government?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't know if that is true, that has not been brought to my attention. But, what you do is that for instance, you would get a special dispensation if your firm would do some sort of business with the government. It's the right thing, its about open-ness and transparency, that then you can divorce yourself from that action should that happen. Whether, ahm, Minister, ahm, Julius Espat got that dispensation, I don't know and I simply can't remembers."
Speaking with Julius Espat via text today he said, quote, "My private firm does not have nor intends to get contracts from the Government of Belize. We have not done so for over 15 years.": End quote.
He added, "It is a standard note from the GG to say… should a company of which I am listed as a director should at any time be engaged in any work with the Government of Belize, I will not be in any way personally engaged in that work. There is no work, there is no contract, there is no intent to enter into any contract." End quote.
We note that while it is a standard note - it has to be requested - and in this case, it was.
