GOB’s Office Rentals Raise Transparency Questions; Landlord List Stays Hidden

Government spending is always a hot-button issue, especially when it comes to how public money is used behind closed doors. This week, we’re looking at office rentals, an area that’s costing taxpayers millions each year. Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher says the government is getting good value for money, even pointing to a rate of about two dollars and ninety cents per square foot, less than what commercial tenants pay. But here’s the catch: we still don’t know who the landlords are, how much they’re being paid, or how those deals were made. Usher promised to release that information, but days later, the list is still nowhere to be found. So, what’s really going on? Is this about transparency or just talk? Here’s News Five’s Paul Lopez with that story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Government spending is always a hot topic and this week we’re diving into one area that’s raising eyebrows: office rentals. On Monday, News Five sat down for an exclusive one-on-one with the Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher, to get some answers. In a wide-ranging, half-hour interview, Minister Usher broke down the details, revealing that four government ministries are currently renting office space.

 

Henry Charles, Minister of Public Service

“The fact is that there are three possibly four ministries that are involved when we look at renting offices, the first is the ministry that needs the office space. The second ministry is the ministry of finance, the ministry of finance has to approve the finance to rent the building and the third is the ministry of public service. We are the executing ministry.”

 

He told us that sometimes, when buildings need a facelift, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing steps in to handle the remodeling. And when it comes to that $2.5 million price tag for rental spaces, Minister Usher says it’s not just about the total cost, it’s about the value. He pointed out that you must look at what the government is getting for each square foot.

 

Henry Charles

“Let us look at the total square footage of rentals that the government is renting. And when you divide that up you are looking at square footage countrywide it adds up to about two dollars and ninety cents per square foot which is less than what the commercial tenants are paying for office space.”

 

Now, while we can take the minister at his word, there’s still a big piece of the puzzle missing. Without access to the actual rental agreements, and the total square footage being leased from each private landlord, it’s hard to know if taxpayers are really getting a fair deal. The good news? Minister Usher promised to share that full list during our sit-down.

 

 

 

Henry Charles

“Of course there are contractual obligations on certain things, but once the attorney general’s ministry says it is ok then I don’t have a problem. It is the people’s money and not something already known..”

 

But it has been four days since Monday, and we are still without those documents. So, we pressed him further on the matter today when we caught up in Belize City.

 

Paul Lopez

“With the conversation we had earlier this week you had promised earlier this week, you had promised us that last for the number of buildings.”

 

Henry Charles

“I spoke about it yesterday with Love FM, because you cut and splice my interview and I told you not to do that. So, next time Channel 5 has to show better media integrity. So yesterday I went on Love and gave the entire interview with all the details. So you can get it from them.”

 

Paul Lopez

“No, I cant get the list from Love Fm. We need that list to see that list to see the amount of building government is renting and from whom.”

 

 

 

 

Henry Charles

“Sure, I will get that list to you, and as I said, I was speaking about it yesterday to Love FM where I gave all of the details. George was right there, the camera man. He knows there is more footage you could have shown. I am wondering who is telling you to do these things. Go interview the DPM he is the one that is going to be giving the details about the meeting.”

 

 

Minister Usher had a lot to say about how these rental deals are made—who’s involved, how the process works, and the value the government claims it’s getting. But here’s the thing: we still don’t know exactly who’s getting paid and how much. That landlord list? Still under wraps. And until it’s made public, there’s a cloud of mystery hanging over the whole arrangement. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez