16
THE BELIZE TIMES
VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN
FABER IN SACKCLOTH AND ASHES - A SPURIOUS CONCESSION By Hilly Bennett Mother Teresa said “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Ostensibly the voters casted the stone in general election 2020 and changed the political world in Belize. The electorate, the almost 83 per cent transformed “the rising tide of blue ballots” into a blue tsunami which crushes all the UDP dreams of getting away with all their illegalities. The People’s United Party with Honourable John Briceño won a LANDSLIDE VICTORY! Concession by heir imagined, to-be Leader of the Opposition United Democratic Party, came unusually early to the question of many. Dressed in sackcloth and ashes, Honourable Patrick Jason Faber conceded defeat to Prime Minister John Briceño. Attempting to sound magnanimous, Faber conceded that the PM and the PUP Government will face challenges ahead in taking the tiny sovereign nation through a long recovery and there will be the need for a unified front. However, this deceitful robotic speech was laid bare when the Leader of the Opposition failed to call out his precious party for the state of affairs of the Jewel. The floods and the COVID pandemic were blamed for the crisis that has engulfed Belize and the citizenry. No mention was made of the insurmountable series of scandals, and corrupt acts across the expanse of the nation. The “hotbed of corruption ”, the immigration scandal, the Airport Authority fleecing by Castro et al, Sanctuary Bay, and the millions and millions worth of infrastructure contracts void of the Contractor General approval amongst others. It would behove the writer of said speech not to mention the financial irregularities that occurred under the watch of Faber chomping at the bit to be elected at the General Elections. An audit revealed in early January 2020 that between April 2015 and March 2016 the National Sports Council (NSC) was fleeced monies to the tune of $416,228.25. These monies
were embezzled and redirected by individuals working at NSC to entities including, as alleged at the time, former Minister Herman Longsworth. Longsworth collected, prior to general election 2015, $75,000 on behalf of a company Go Enterprise Limited, for works that should have been done on the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. The total loss amounted to more than a million dollars. Additionally, under Faber’s watch an audit revealed that fifty four thousand dollars was spent on fuel alone and questionable contracts amounting to 2.23 million dollars were awarded to teachers and cronies when Dr. Simeon Coc, the failed political aspirant against Honourable Oscar Requena, was principal at Julian Cho Technical High School. The Ministry of Education was fraught with neglect in the investment of quality education, notwithstanding funding of USD 35 million with an additional sum of USD 461,000 in grant money. The loan and grant were approved by the CDB Board of Directors, subsequent to meeting with Government officials of Belize in Basseterre, St. Kitts. Aside from building 35 new schools, the monies were supposed to finance the implementation of an early stimulation and emergent learning ( ESEL ) program, a review of the school feeding program, the development of an early identification system ( EIS ) for at-risk children and the development of a public education and communication strategy. An audit of these monies is urgently needed. Unfortunately Belize’s education system has suffered dearly but not because of the lack of funding. Clearly, the future of education did not matter for the Education Minister’s tenure in government. This failed Minister went around breaking ground for buildings he had no intention of constructing. Similarly, he overpriced tablets for campaign points; such tablets were never delivered by him. Undoubtedly, the UDP regime, including Patrick Faber must be held accountable for the destructive path that has forced upon Belize and its children. When the veil is lifted, Faber’s phony concession rings of hollow incompetence.
22 NOV
2020
MAGICAL TURNING POINT
By Ricardo Moguel Rosado November 11 was a magical turning point in the electoral history of Belize. On the night before, we went to sleep with anticipation and great expectations knowing that the work had been done to achieve a great victory. All that was needed was the people’s seal on the ballot papers to make it a lasting 5-year contract. With an overwhelming mark on the blue the people spoke with great authority and sent the UDP back to the drawing board. With all the noise and Covid – 19 infested nation, the voters of Belize defied the risk and turnout in great numbers to liberate our country. The victory was devastating for the UDP and all the country, despite restrictions, celebrated in their own way. The legacy of the UDP was shattered and all the major corruption and hustling are slowly being exposed. It is worse than we thought. But the country’s economy needs to be jump started and without hesitation or a minute to waste, the new Prime Minister, Hon. Johnny Briceño, got down to work. He chose some of the best operatives in their field and ask them to join the reconstruction of the nation. Everything is slowly falling in place. The experience of the old is being joined with the enthusiasm and qualifications of the young to produce positive results that will benefit all. Our most precious asset is our Belizean people and we have the talent here for greatness. As miraculous as the election results may appear, managing the peace or reconstruction is the job of giants. It is not easy task to normalize the economy first then make it grow to create jobs for the young. Many expected overnight miracles but
reality is different than TV Shows. We must have the proper management in place. The media, as sensational as they are, has painted a dark picture on many without going through hard investigative facts. The CEO’s chosen so far are competent and will produce good results for the country. They are dedicated and love Belize above everything and know that we must serve the country. Every government is given 100 days to produce results. This is the litmus test for the PUP. Judge the results and then speak out your truth. Everyone knows that Johnny always stands against corruption even at the risk of losing much, so let’s see how his formula works. If they are incompetent and no-productive then we have all the right to raise our voices to heaven and clamor for better. We have just changed therefore good results are imperative especially for our young people to become part owner of Belize, something they have been denied. For 12 years most of us were silent but these CEO’s were ever vigilant over the welfare of the nation. The PUP stood against all that was rotten in the state. Johnny even led a protest against an inept corrupt government and went to Tower Hill toll bridge where he met the great Whoppy, a man who enjoyed whopping and tear gassing PUP’s back in the day. This at his own risk. All stood with him asking for nothing but a free Belize. Now we have a liberated Belize and we must defend it at all costs. Let us learn to manage the peace and produce results for the nation and not just engage in talk. Give solutions and help the reconstruction. Belize deserves better, Belize deserves a government that works for all. Everybody fi win but the tyrants must flee this tranquil haven of democracy.
