body,td,th { font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; }
The president of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Luke Martinez told us he's not satisfied with a response today from the Chairman of the University Board of Governors.
That's after Martinez - who sits on the board - wrote to Smith demanding that they take a stand against the University Hospital being moved off campus by the Ministry of Health.
In a measured response, Smith notes that it was the Ministry of Health which first raised an objection to the UB land back in March.
And while UB did fight for the hospital to stay on its campus grounds Smith says, quote, "the final decision rested not with UB but with the MOHW and the Government of Belize."
Smith tells Martinez "I do not think it is within the Board's remit to, as you suggest, "[hold] the government accountable for this decision..." and "examine the implications of the government's actions and ensure they align with...good governance". That is for the media, civil society organizations and the people of Belize."
But, he adds, "I believe that the Board should reiterate its commitment to have the university hospital built on UB land and seriously consider your proposal of asking the government to gift the purchased land to UB, should the government maintain its decision to build the university hospital on the purchased land."
