Mira Says Work Continues, But the Scandal Won’t Go Away

Tonight the growing Smart Stream scandal linked to the Ministry of Defense is reaching a tipping point. We will hear from Prime Minister John Briceno and Florencio Marin who is now on leave of absence. But first, Oscar Mira may have stepped back from his ministerial post, but he has not stepped out of the spotlight. Nearly two weeks after removing himself from Cabinet duties to allow for a government audit, the Belmopan Area Representative is pointing to roads, housing, and other projects in his constituency as proof that the work continues. But beyond the visible progress on the ground, tougher questions remain over millions of dollars in government payments that are linked to his relatives and family-connected businesses during his time at the Ministry of Defense. Mira denies any wrongdoing and says he is confident the audit will clear his name. News Five’s Paul Lopez sat down with him in Belmopan and has this exclusive report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belmopan Area Representative Oscar Mira has spent nearly two weeks away from his ministerial desk, but he hasn’t disappeared from public view. Today, News Five found the embattled Minister of Home Affairs still on the ground in Belmopan, meeting with constituents and trying to show that, despite the controversy surrounding him, his constituency work continues.

 

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan

“I did not get elected as a minister. I am an area representative and I am not on leave from area representative duties. I am still the area representative for Belmopan and as you notice I continue to work for the residents of Belmopan.”

 

Mira says his work in Belmopan has not missed a beat. Along with keeping his weekly meetings with residents, he took us to a growing section of the capital where streets have now been cut, utilities installed, and new homes are rising in an area that landowners once could hardly access.

 

Oscar Mira

“There is a lot of noise, but I block out that noise, because that will not deter or slow down the work we are doing here in Belmopan. For many if they take a walk or drive in those areas, they will see the development like never before.”

 

Mira is trying to let the work speak louder than the backlash. Online, reaction to his constituency projects remains divided, some say the controversy has badly damaged him, while others credit him for visible development. But even as he attempts to block out the noise, public criticism has been anything but quiet.

 

Oscar Mira

“I cannot be deterred by the noise. That noise is going to be extinguished by itself. That noise is going to, people will release that at the end of the day it is political noise and I intend to see the process through. I think that is one of the reasons I asked the PM, I said PM let me go on leave. I welcome the audit, I want to make sure that whatever is there in that audit I am confident I was not involved in anything.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you believe that the audit will vindicate yourself and your family members?”

 

Oscar Mira

“I am convinced that it will. I am convinced it will.”

 

The audit will also track millions of dollars in Defense Ministry payments to Mira’s siblings and businesses linked to him. These payments were made while Mira was Minister of State and later the substantive minister for several months.

 

Paul Lopez

“The criticism is that your family is enriching itself off the backs of taxpayers.”

 

Oscar Mira

“My family is a hard-working family. My parents made sure we got an education. My parents made sure we got a good education; made sure we became professionals. I believe that if they got payments it was for services provided, professional services provided. I don’t see how anyone of them would be getting paid for anything they have not done. They are professionals.”

 

And tonight, despite being on administrative leave, Mira remains behind the wheel of a government-issued vehicle. It was parked outside his office today, without a GOB license plate.

 

Paul Lopez

“Are you still getting ministerial salary and perks like vehicles, allowances etc. while on administrative leave?”

 

Oscar Mira

“I do have my vehicle from the ministry yes.”

 

Paul Lopez

“And your ministerial salary? Where does that stand?”

 

Oscar Mira

“I have not checked. I will check I cannot give you a definitive answer, because I have not checked.”

 

Mira says the audit will clear the air, but it has not answered every question. Even as he remains on administrative leave, scrutiny is now turning to the perks he still receives, including government benefits tied to the post. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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