Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2025. 9:49 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: During a revealing press conference held by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union, brought attention to what he describes as “obscene rental costs” for government buildings. Flowers, armed with extensive research on government spending, raised concerns regarding the transparency and necessity of these expenditures.
The overall sentiment expressed by Flowers and the Public Service Union is one of concern and a demand for accountability. As rental costs continue to climb, the union is calling for greater transparency regarding how taxpayer money is being spent, particularly when it comes to essential public services and office space.
The focal point of Flowers’ remarks was the shocking monthly rental figures associated with various government departments. Topping the list, the Immigration and Nationality Department, which the Prime Minister’s Ministry manages, is reportedly paying a staggering $22,000 to an unnamed landowner. Flowers questioned the necessity of such a high rental fee, particularly when the office’s location remains unclear.
“Is that the office in Belize City? Is that the office in Belmopan? If it’s in Belmopan, I believe we would already have a much more beautiful building compared to the office in Belize City,” Flowers stated, emphasizing the disparity in costs under previous administrations.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness was also spotlighted, with reports indicating a rental fee of $18,000, with inquiries about who is benefiting from such significant payments. Other departments revealed similar hefty rent payments: the Ministry of Public Utilities at $17,000, the combined Ministry of Finance and Home Affairs at $15,800, and the Ministry of Human Development at $15,000.
Perhaps even more astonishing, the Ministry of Youth allegedly pays $14,000 monthly for their office space, leading Flowers to question the valuation of the building housing that ministry.
Flowers continued his critique, sharing that the Attorney General’s office also rents a property for $12,000 and that other departments, such as the Blue Economy and Rural Transformation ministries, are dealing with exorbitant costs as well.
Flowers argued that with millions in potential savigs on building a high-rise public service complex in Belmopan or Belize City, there should be enough to pay the teachers their 8.5 percent salary increase, additional allowances and increments.
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The post High rental costs to Government spark backlash from Public Service Union appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2025. 9:49 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: During a revealing press conference held by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB),
The post High rental costs to Government spark backlash from Public Service Union appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
