BTL Board Says Yes, UDP Says Belizeans Were Betrayed

The proposed BTL-Speednet acquisition has now moved from the boardroom to the streets. Hours after BTL’s Board of Directors voted to proceed with the eighty-million-dollar buyout, the United Democratic Party mobilized its supporters. By one o’clock this afternoon, a group of protestors, led by UDP Party Leader Tracy Panton, had gathered in front of BTL’s headquarters to condemn the decision. The UDP says the board ignored serious concerns raised by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the NTUCB, and insists that Belizeans deserve clear answers on whether the deal gives the country value for money. Panton went further, calling the decision a betrayal of the Belizean people.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader, United Democratic Party

“How could a government led board not consider the reasonable request that came from the people. We need an assessment. We need an independent valuation. We need to know what the future of this country looks like. And while eight people as I understand it, have voted in favor and two against, eight people will decide the fate of a utility company that has significant impact on our national development. It is just like BEL. Last House meeting we voted seventy-three million dollars for a public utility. That is a significant pillar for our national development and it does not matter because they have a super majority. In my view they continue to betray the people of this country, continue to act in the best interest of a connected few, continue to not hold themselves to the gold standard of transparency and accountability that they passed a motion in the National Assembly for and it is important that the Belizean people know we continue, regardless of how many of us come out, we will continue to fight for what is fair, right and just. I think there is enough evidence before us in the public domain that this government continues to operate not in the best interest of this country. The allegations of corruption are not just allegations; we have enough evidence to prove that there is significant corruption in the government.”

 

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