And turning back now to BTL, earlier in the news we brought you the press conference BTL held this morning. Following the conference, the UDP issued a release also calling on the board to refrain from approving the proposed acquisition of Smart.
This afternoon, the Leader of the Opposition held a press briefing, where she criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed acquisition. But words on paper - or in front of a camera - don't count for much. So what else is the UDP prepared to do to fight against the deal? We asked Panton.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Telecommunications, as you know, affects all sectors, all sectors of, life in this country. Education, households, the productive sector. And so, it is a national asset, that needs to be protected in the public's interests. The problem with this arrangement that we see is that there is no information available. Absolutely none. And we insist that there be transparency. We insist that there be full disclosure to the Belizean people. This is a publicly owned company owned by the Belizean people. And we insist that there are proper feasibility and viability assessments are done to ensure, that we are getting, benefit for whatever arrangements this acquisition will bring to the bring to the table."
Courtney Menzies:
"What is the opposition prepared to do? You know, we can send out press releases and hold a press conference, but what happens next to ensure that the government, you know, that they look closer at this deal?"
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, I think we made it clear in our press statement this morning that we are prepared to do whatever is lawful, civil disobedience, if that is required. We have been engaged with our civil society partners, with the unions, and we intend to work very closely. Belizean people, as you know, are in an uproar and they have had enough. This is on the heels, Courtney, of the BEL situation. This is on the heels of the cost of living continue to spiral out of control. This is on the heels of $69 million being borrowed for 15 miles of road. This is on the heels of property taxes being increased by 18% and by BEL rates increase and water rates being increased. When is enough, enough? Where will the $170 million come from? And who is expected to bear the burden? Who will be saddled with that debt?"
Courtney Menzies:
"Four of the independence senators have written, committing to form sort of a unified block, you know, as far as their powers lend them to, will the UDP join them?"
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"As I said before, or we are engaged, not only with our civil society partners, and with the unions, but we also engage at the parliamentary level. So definitely or lead Senator, has been and will continue to liaise with members, his colleagues on that side to see how best we can have a unified approach to this issue."
Panton also criticized the PM for misrepresenting his knowledge of the acquisition, as well as the board's chairman for his secrecy. She said Lizarraga should resign.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"I think you can always tell when the Prime Minister is lying, he deflects. This was a matter that was raised in the National Assembly by the United Democratic Party. The honorable Lee Mark Chang raised it. We raised it at a press conference that the UDP had recently. We have repeatedly asked questions about this initiative. You know, you hear the rumors in the pipeline, you hear the rumblings. And every time the question has been asked, the Prime Minister deflects. And the more he deflected, the louder the rumors became."
"I am very doubtful that that deal would be brokered today. I think the public pressure that has come to bear, the fact that I understand now, two members of the board have resigned as a result of the situation, the fact that they're not able to have a consensus position by the board, at least not today. The fact that the Telecommunication Workers Union have demanded a meeting with management to get disclosure as well. Nobody seems to have known about this, not even the management of BTL. Something is grossly wrong with that situation."
Courtney Menzies:
"Should the chairman be forced to resign?"
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"Absolutely. With immediate effect. You cannot you cannot come to the public and say, well, I know there's an inherent conflict of interest. I acknowledge that, and I have signed a disclosure to say it's a conflict of interest and still be the mover and shaker behind a deal that, again, betrays the trust, public trust, and does not serve the interests of this nation."
