Public Funds Under Lens as Mira Contract Links Multiply

The spotlight on Police Minister Oscar Mira is growing brighter tonight, as questions about a single government contract involving his sister have now widened into a much larger controversy. Allegations are surfacing that companies linked to members of the Mira family have secured millions of dollars in public projects, ranging from food supply to water infrastructure and social development programs. As concerns mount, Public Service Union President Dean Flowers says the initial vegetable contract may be just the tip of the iceberg. He’s now speaking out about what he believes are extensive family ties to government contracts.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“When you combine the goods and services that his sister has provided, the services that his brothers provide in the AC sector, the services that his brothers provide in the construction sector, the services that his in-laws provide in the roadwork sector, boy oh boy. Then we want to know why the man them the build wa gated community. And it is not to say that they’re not entitled to do business but what we’re saying is that it is not transparent. It suggests that it is preferential and it brings into question whether or not they would have gotten these, these contracts or these procurements in a fair, transparent and legal manner.”

 

The Mira family is now linked to more than nine million dollars in water extension contracts and several major SIF-funded projects across the country. But BWS says most of those works fall outside its control, describing them as rural initiatives it neither manages nor awards. The company adds that FAST Construction, tied to the Mira family, has received just one direct BWS contract, a one-point-four-million-dollar project in San Ignacio.

 

Defamation Fight Erupts Over Mira-Linked Contract Claims

 

Two Belizean companies have issued pre-action letters threatening legal action over alleged defamation linked to a social media post. The letters outline claims by FAST Construction Company and FT Williams & Associates Limited against Orson Elrington, an operator of Hot Off The Press. The dispute centers on a June twelfth post alleging possible conflicts of interest involving Belize Water Services Limited contracts and companies tied to the Mira family. The post claimed that both companies were awarded several multimillion-dollar water infrastructure projects totaling approximately nine point three million dollars. Attorneys for the companies argue that the statements were, quote, “blatant, outrageous, scandalous and highly defamatory.” They further contend the post created the false impression that the firms benefited from preferential treatment and were involved in corrupt activities. Both companies firmly deny having any contracts with Belize Water Services Limited as described in the post. The letters state that no retraction has been issued and that the post continues to circulate online, worsening alleged reputational harm. The claimants are demanding an immediate halt to further publication, a public apology, and compensation of one hundred thousand Belize dollars. They warn that failure to respond within two days could result in court proceedings being filed without further notice.

 

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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