But Minister Chebat was much less voluble when it came to discuss the contract given to Auto Zone, the company owned by his campaigner, Nigel Espat.
As we have reported, the Ministry of Health and Wellness contracted to purchase 6 vehicles from Belize Auto Zone for $357,000 dollars. It became an issue not only because Auto Zone is supported by a Chebat campaigner and relative, and because the business is not a car dealer, but also because the Ministry of Health turned down a lower bid to buy from Auto Zone.
It drew the ire of the little known Belize New Car Dealers Association, and Chebat kind of called them out today:
Reporter
"Why did we change from Bravo to Belize Auto Zone?"
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health
"We change because the vehicles that Auto Zone was going to supply to us was an intermediate vehicle, while the one that Bravo was going to provide was a baseline model and an older model, not a newer model."
Reporter
"The Car Dealers Association in Belize says Auto Zone is not a legitimate car dealer."
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health
"I dont know who they are. When they are willing to put their name to that letter then we can talk about that."
Reporter
"They say you didn't give them the contract because the owner is your friend."
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health
"I've said it already, when they are willing to put their names we can answer that."
And that was it - the lightning round style interview with the Minister of Health lasted less than 8 minutes - much the same like the last time when he walked away form our cameras. It's lamentable for the free flow of information since there is no known Director of Health Services, and the Minister clearly doesn't want to engage the media at any length.
