Administrative Problems Delay Coast Guard Provisions
Coast Guard officers deployed to protect Belize’s waters are now at the center of troubling questions about whether they are receiving enough food at remote operating bases. Reports from within the department claim that ration deliveries fell significantly behind schedule, leaving some personnel without expected provisions. The Ministry of National Defense confirms that delays occurred, but insists the situation never developed into a severe food shortage. CEO Francis Usher says administrative problems caused the disruption and that officials have resolved them since.
On the Phone: Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Defense
“There was an administrative delay, but it’s not the case that the Coast Guard were not going to receive their ration or anything. They have limited storage, so, you know, minor delays could cause some disruptions, but we fixed it today. And I don’t believe there were delays in the operational deployments, but we fixed the issues.”
Shane Williams
“Could you say what were the issues that led to this? And where did the reports come from?”
Francis Usher
“I think the report came from a disgruntled individual within the Coast Guard. We have an idea of where it came from, but I don’t want to disclose too much there. Ad it was just administrative delays on our end, that’s all.”
Shane Williams
“So, so the issue has been resolved and all the rations have been received. Is that the case?”
Francis Usher
“So the issue has been resolved. I had a confirmatory meeting today with the Coast Guard finance officer as well as their staff officer with the responsibility for logistics and I think they call it their Service Support Group Commander. So yes, the issue has been resolved and the administrative delays we’ve worked through it.”
Francis Usher stressed that the issue has since been resolved and that supplies were never at risk of being withheld.
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