And the government will likely face a battery of lawsuits, both from the Ashcroft Alliance and from Stake Bank for the PUP-led National Environmental Appraisal Committee's approval of the Portico project.
Today we asked the Prime Minister why - in February of 2021 - the Chairman of NEAC seemed so intent to push through environmental clearance for Portico:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Please don't confuse..."
Jules Vasquez
"There is a February 2, 2021 meeting of NEAC. Kenrick Williams is chairing it. People are saying eh, how about this, eh, how about the Manatees, and everything they brings up, he said no, lets find a way to work with that, let's find a way to fix it."
"I'm saying, this is proof that your government embraced the Portico project. It's not a UDP deal. It's a PUP deal."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Hold on, stop that nonsense with the PUDP, Jules. I'm sorry. Listen to me, when we talk about the UDP, they were talking about the definitive agreement. We're not talking about the project. The project, we all realize that if it's done well, it can be a good project for Belize."
Jules Vasquez
"So the NEAC members directed to green light this project, because its a good project?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I do. Jules, again I will repeat, the NEAC has already approved it before our time."
Jules Vasquez
"No sir, that is PUP - February 12, 2021."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"That is for the ECP. The ECP and the NEAC approval are two different things. Listen, all we have been trying to accomplish here is a way how we can move this project forward. If it is Stake Bank, we would have done the same thing. If it was Waterloo, it is the same thing, because we understand and realize the urgency."
