Belcan Bridge is About Connecting Communities

Tonight, we turn to the much-talked-about Belcan Bridge project. Prime Minister John Briceño is clearing the air on rumors of a rift within Cabinet and concerns over how this major infrastructure plan is being handled. Speaking to the media, the PM stressed that differences in Cabinet are normal, but there’s no feud with Minister Julius Espat. He explained that the project shifted from a loan to a grant, which placed the Ministry of Economic Transformation in the driver’s seat, yet the Ministry of Infrastructure Development will still play a key role, as required by law. And what about the cost? PM Briceño says it will follow proper procedures, including a bidding process, though details are still being finalized. As for allegations of intellectual property theft, the PM dismissed them, saying once you’re paid to design a plan, that plan belongs to the client. So, what’s the bottom line? According to the Prime Minister, this is all about building a bridge that connects communities and improves transportation for Belizeans. Here’s more on what he had to say.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Like in every Cabinet, we have differences and that’s normal for us to have a rift. Maybe it’s in your mind, I do not have a rift with Minister Espat and I think that Minister Espat was very careful when he explained his position when it comes to that. Now, I am just starting to get the information because I was not involved in any of this matter, that because it moved from a loan to a grant then the Ministry of Economic Transformation took over and started to work directly with the [Belize] City Council. It does not mean that the Ministry of Infrastructure Development does not or is not going to be involved.  Every project that this government takes on, by law and by policy, the MIDH has to be involved. So they will be involved. What is the end here? It’s for us to be able to build a bridge, to be able to provide the necessary transportation connections for our people and that’s exactly what we are doing.”

 

Reporter

“But, at what cost will the bridge be built?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It will be at the very cost that the MIDH… they have an estimate. I don’t know the details but I can tell you that it’s going to be above board, there’s going to be a bidding process and so forth. I don’t want to go into the details about why there was another.. but I want to leave it at that.”

 

Reporter

“Are you concerned about the intellectual property theft, the allegation thereof?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well, I don’t understand. If I pay you to do a job for me, to do a plan for my house, that’s my plan. That is not yours, and I think, I feel that I can do as I wish, but maybe these intellectuals look at it differently and that’s up to them, but I know that the individuals have been paid for a job.”