Panton Says ‘No Prime Minister Should Have to Instruct the P.U.C.’

UDP Leader Tracy Panton says her party plans to go straight to the regulators over Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) proposed acquisition of Speednet (Smart), insisting the process must be transparent and accountable.

“The members of our parliamentary caucus and leadership team will seek an audience with the PUC and SSB so we can ventilate to them directly and on record what our position is with the BTL acquisition and why,” Panton said.

She criticised the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for waiting on political instructions instead of acting independently. “They should not wait to get instructions from a head of state when they have a law in place, well established, that governs how the PUC should act when matters of this nature come up,” Panton said. 

Panton also questioned the regulator’s independence. “The PUC, we all know, is made up of members appointed by the Briceño administration, and we take serious issue with that,” she said.

Her comments followed last Friday’s announcement that discussions on the deal have been paused as instructed by the prime minister. Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat told the House of Representatives that Prime Minister John Briceño ordered the pause to allow for public engagement and to ensure the proper legal process is followed.

Chebat explained that any acquisition of this size must first be reviewed by the PUC. He noted that formal submissions will be made if and when the Social Security Board and BTL approve the acquisition.

The UDP says it will continue to demand oversight, warning that the deal carries significant financial risks and must be handled with full transparency.

“There are laws that govern the function of the PUC, and no prime minister or minister of government should have to instruct the PUC what to do in the public’s interest,” Panton stated.