Unions Say Mira Millions Scandal Cannot Be Swept Away

Some believe the now-shelved BTL/Speednet acquisition may have been a distraction from the Mira Millions and the Ministry of Defense procurement scandal. But the joint unions say they have not forgotten. They are still demanding accountability, insisting the matter cannot be swept under the rug. Union leaders say when government spends public funds properly, ordinary Belizeans should see the benefit in their pockets.

 

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“The Ministry of Defense procurement scandal cannot be swept under the rug, because it is showing us the weakness in our procurement system. And so it does not matter if we double or triple the budget, if the leakages don’t stop, monies will not be available for the people of Belize to have in their pockets. Taxes don’t need to be raised if we are using the monies efficiently. Everybody here has a BDF in their family, everybody. Ask them to send you a picture of the food they are eating. And post it on Whatsapp and Facebook and Instagram and show me where the baby back ribs are, where is the lobster? Where is the jumbo shrimp? Anyone ah unu please, when any one ah unu family members have jumbo shrimp and baby back ribs, unu send it to me, because I really want to see it, because I have never seen anyone one of those things. So, where the money gone?”

 

Defense Ministry Under Review, But Work Goes On

 

The Ministry of National Defense is facing an ongoing audit, but CEO Francis Usher says the work of the ministry continues. As the Auditor General reviews spending and procurement procedures, Usher says soldiers and sailors remain on duty, and operations have not slowed down. He says the ministry is fully cooperating with the audit team and continues to follow the required procurement guidelines.

 

Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Defence

“Not at all. The work goes on. The operations go on. Both the BDF, the soldiers and the sailors they’re consummate professionals. They ensure that they get the job done every step of the way. The audit has not hampered the operational tempo in any way. We are completely supportive and compliant of all of the requests from the Auditor General and her team and it has not affected the operational tempo at all.”

 

Shane Williams

“Has it affected procurement?”

 

Francis Usher

“It has not affected procurement. Procurement continues. Procurement continues following the rules, following all of the guidelines. We are in constant communication with the Ministry of Finance, with the Office of the Contractor General to ensure that everything as it has been is above board.”

 

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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