And, one PUP who's not impressed with the Northern Caucus' endorsement of the acquisition is Julius Espat. He says that's because Cabinet agreed to not announce its position on the proposed Speedboat acquisition so as to not influence BTL deliberations - and then along comes the northern caucus comprising no less than 7 ministers and ministers of state - with a ringing public endorsement. Here's how Espat - as Deputy Chairman of the western caucus - put it:
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"I was surprised of that release that came out. I saw it this morning. Why? Because in cabinet it was decided that there would be no political interference. So I am not in agreement with that and if the western caucus decided it will be with Cayo South not there because we made an agreement that the political interference would not be a part of the decision making and that I am totally disappointed with."
Reporter:
"Do you think this compromises the ongoing deliberation on, the independence of it?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"But that's the reason why cabinet decided to stay away from it. And and so, yes, it does."
Courtney Menzies:
"What do you think of the entire consultation process that has happened and the fact that, you know, BTL is still trying to have a provisional vote or had been trying to have a provisional vote without finishing consulting and the Social Security Board hadn't consulted with each other as yet?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"I was wishing and hoping that you wouldn't be asking me these questions. Consultation is never enough. And I think there's a misconception that you have these privately, publicly owned companies and they believe that they don't owe, they don't have to consult with the Belizean people, that I have a serious problem with. You either own it or you don't own it and we own it so if we own it, then you have to come to us to ask our opinion. And that's why Cabinet was reluctant in making a position because it was waiting for all the consultations to happen, including with the media. The media is extremely important in this. The concern that the media has. If you have a monopoly and it can affect them in the future, is something that has to be addressed and it has to be put in place before an agreement is done. It's just my point of view and that we need competition? Well from the day I was born, that is what I believe in, in having competition. And the reason that you have two telecom companies is because the concept of competition was there from the beginning. So I have listened to what BTL has had to say. And as a company, any company wants a monopoly. Channel Seven would want it, Channel Five would wanted, PlusTV would want it. Everybody in the business community would love a monopoly, but that doesn't mean that it is in the best interests of the consumers. And that is where I believe we have to be looking at. And considering."
And while Espat is in the corner of the consumers, where does he stand in Cabinet? They voted to allow the Prime Minister to sit in on BTL's presentation to the Tuesday group - even though his family stands to benefit 18 million dollars from the sale.
We asked him about that decision:
Reporter:
"You didn't request that the Prime minister, step aside due to conflict of interest?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"He proposed and cabinet decided that it wasn't necessary."
Reporter:
"Why?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"It was a Cabinet decision. I understand, I understand everybody's point of view. But the Prime Minister, in all due respect, said that if we would in want he would recuse himself and the majority of cabinet decided that it wasn't necessary."
"It's a difficult position to be put in, and it's not easy for anybody. we have our opinions in cabinet that we share with the Prime Minister, quite frankly. And those are cabinet discussions and decisions under our laws that we should not be speaking publicly out there about what we say inside cabinet. But there is opposition to the concept. And BTL feels strongly that it is a good thing. So I think more consultation is required so that people are convinced either way. But just like this beautiful building that we see here, the design of it, not in its infrastructure, but the concept is to ventilate issues so that people can be aware. I think that's important. If you have a concern, then let's have more consultation. Let's sit with the people and convince them. When you get a presentation like the one we got, it's very positive. You look at all the positive aspects of it. But then you walk outside and you hear the noise. And you say, but why are people clamoring if the concept is so good? Well, let's look at the other side. Let's listen to the other side. And that way people can be convinced. Politically, either way we could, come out of this in a positive way, or we could come out of this in a negative way. It is how you convince people, a politician wins by, how does a politician win? By putting in the work and convincing people that his leadership and his ideas are positive, and therefore people will gain traction with that concept and come with you. But if the politician does not do that, then the opposite happens."
