7NEWS revealed the Definitive Agreement for the Port of Magical Belize last night - and since then our phones have been burning up with news of political intrigues. That's because the Cabinet met on May 17th - and late the previous night, ministers got the definitive agreement and the Cabinet confidential paper with proposed legislation attached. As we reported last night, the Cabinet paper urges ministers, quote, "it is now critical that the tangible support of the government be provided through the requisite legislation which government committed to under the definitive agreement."
So, Cabinet is urged to consider and support the legislation coming from the agreement - but it seems that there was significant pushback from Cabinet members, principally Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler. Reports suggest that, line by line, he "destroyed" the Definitive Agreement and the bill that was presented to Cabinet.
Reports say that there was support for this position and the Prime Minister and others agreed to hold off on passing the legislation at this time. Further reports suggest that the government has indicated to developer David Gegg that they intend to re-negotiate some parts of the agreement.
So, for the time being it seems the enabling legislation for Portico may have been delayed. Originally, it was scheduled to go to the House for a first reading on June 9th.
