Last night we showed you our interview with the CEO in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. He was answering our questions about sugar road rehabilitation contracts awarded to a company believed to be related to PUP Corozal Southwest Representative Ramiro Ramirez - who is also the minister of state for Rural Transformation Community Development, Local Government and Labor.
Tonight we did a little deeper - here's what Jules Vasquez found out about the company RJC auto Parts and Heavy Equipment:
The 12th day of January 2021, an opportune time to start up a heavy equipment business if you've got the right political connects.
That's because the Minisitry of Infrastructure Development and Housing was giving out emergency road repair contracts on a limited tender basis
And, with area rep Ramiro Ramirez's close affiliate, Xannia Casteneda as a Director - RJC Auto Parts And Heavy Equipment, they surely had a well-placed friend:
Victor Espat, CEO MIDH
"I think a few contracts were also issued to the same company in questions and now we are back again in another cycle of sugar road repairs and that company is from that area and so I believe they have a couple of small contracts for work in that area for sugar roads in that area."
Well, a couple would be two - but we counted about 7 that the company got in the first few months of 2021 - indeed, all under, 50 grand, but they add up to a grand total of $263,660 dollars.
Not a king's ransom, but a tidy sum for a few month's work - and if it is a related party? Well, the CEO says that is not uncommon:
Victor Espat, CEO MIDH
"And so whether that specific contractor is related to Mr. Ramirez or not has no bearing in terms of the evaluation that was done in terms of his ability to do the work or not, but I can guarantee you that from our ministry there is no connection and our contractors are not influence by the politicians in the respective areas. Belize is a small country and so whether you have relatives in construction or in any type of business, I don't think that that itself should disqualify them to be able to get a legitimate contract."
And, the Minister may be proof of that:
Reporter
"Family business RJC auto parts and heavy equipment the contracts for the sugar roads."
Hon. Julius Espat
"I don't get into the technical details, so I am the last person you need to ask, so I don't know."
Reporter
"Wouldn't it be concerning?"
Hon. Julius Espat
"Well, there is a rule that you can participate in government procurement, you just have to write the governor general to make sure that you are allowed to. There is rules for everything."
We did try to get a comment from Director and majority Shareholder of RJC Xannia Casteneda - but she did not respond to our request.
