Prime Minister John Briceño told News 5 today that the government’s rental expenses are not “new information,” despite criticism from the Public Service Union (PSU).
PSU President Dean Flowers revealed last week that the government is spending over two million dollars annually on rent.
PM Briceño told News 5 that his administration has been actively working to reduce that figure.
He pointed to ongoing efforts, including the construction of a judiciary centre in Lake Independence, Belize City, in partnership with the Social Security Board.
He said, “We’re working along with Social Security and the government of Belize, and we’re getting some investments from, I think, holders to be able to build a huge compass to quote everything there. We are working on that. We want to partner, either with the private sector or ourselves.”
He stated that the 5Cs’ groundbreaking is an example of the government’s efforts to reduce rental spending. “Look at this place right here with the 5Cs the government pays for that. We are paying $22,000 a rent amount that can pay a mortgage. And that’s exactly what we’re working,” Briceño said.
“We are working on that; we are addressing it,” he added.