In other news, in the two years since the PUP have been in office, the Ministry of Natural Resources has had two CEOs, and the minister is about to appoint a third.
The first CEO, Dr Lesbia Guerra left after a year, and was replaced by Nelda Tulcey. Now, Tulcey is on her way out and filling that spot will be Paul Thompson, PUP's Albert Division Standard Bearer who is currently the Ministers senior advisor.
According to Minister Cordel Hyde, it's not a ministry that's easy to work in, but he believes that Thompson will be able to handle it. However the media asked him about the conflict of interest in hiring a previous standard bearer as a CEO.
Cordel Hyde. Minister of Lands
"I think I have to thank the 2 females who agreed to be my CEO over the last couple years. They both served 12 months. Listen, the job of a CEO is demanding. The job of a CEO in the ministry of natural resources is stressful, its taxing, its debilitating, it takes a lot out of you, lot of time from your family. It's a really difficult job and ultimately these women after a year in both instances opted to return to their previous career. I have to use the opportunity to thank them. I appreciate the efforts, I appreciate working with them, I appreciate what we've been able to accomplish, but there is so much more we have to do, so I'm looking forward to this new chapter."
Reporter
"So who is the person that's likely to be your next CEO, sir?"
Cordel Hyde. Minister of Lands
"It will be Paul Thompson, former senator, former candidate in the Albert Division. He his understudied those 2 women over the last 2 years. I know he has learnt a great deal from them. He knows the ministry well. He knows all the issues, he has work with all the key players, he's well known in there, well like, well respected. So, he's the man."
Reporter
"You will concede that perhaps this has some kind of political undertone. A standard bearer for the PUP is going to be your next CEO and its sort of it's been said and suggested that this one is perhaps one of your surrogates in Belize City. How do you respond to that?"
Cordel Hyde. Minister of Lands
"Well, Paul Thompson is going to be the next CEO. I don't see people as surrogates. He is a hard-working fellow. he has a long and varied history in the business of politics and in governance. Has had major success in the business of governance over the years and this is a wonderful opportunity for him. In terms of the political undertones or overtones, I think people are getting ahead of themselves."
