Press Release
The United Democratic Party’s Parliamentary Caucus has taken the decision to boycott today’s sitting of the House of Representatives in protest. The boycott is Round 3. The UDP Parliamentarians maintain that the BTL/SMART acquisition is one of the most blatantly corrupt and reckless deals ever foisted upon the Belizean people!
“We refuse to sit and participate in a Parliament that is being turned into a rubber stamp for a deal designed to enrich a Briceño family while saddling Belizeans with millions of dollars in debt.
This boycott is not political theatre:
It is an act of conscience and common sense;
It is an act of resistance and reasonable resolve to strip the deal of any credibility; and,
It is an act of duty to the people and country of Belize.”
At every stage, the story has changed as the Prime Minister and Markhelm Lizarraga attempt to ram this bitter pill down our throats. Through all these shifting stories, the most basic observations remain:
No basis to acquire obsolete infrastructure;
No disclosure of the nature and extent of liabilities the public will inherit by both BTL and SMART;
No definitive intention to pay severance owed to former workers before any acquisition;
No independent valuation or assessment of SMART;
No audited financials, especially disclosing long-term profitability without GOB as a customer;
No credible revenue projections;
No REAL REGULATORY SAFEGUARD; and,
No provision for workers who WILL lose their jobs…
UDP Parliamentary Caucus refuse to co-sign charades while workers fight for crumbs, families struggle with rising costs, and small businesses face higher taxes and fees. The UDP Parliamentary Caucus recognises that this Government is prepared to gamble tens of millions of public dollars on a secretive, shifting, and corrupt deal. This is not governance. This is not development. This is daylight robbery dressed up as national policy. Belizean people are being raped with their eyes wide open and forced to carry over $80 million dollars plus interest, legal fees, and other closing costs for the benefit of the Briceño Family and the Ashcroft Alliance.
This is not a partisan issue. The business community has spoken. The unions have spoken. The Independent senators and Civil Society Partners have spoken. The Independent Media have spoken. Our citizens have taken to the streets! When Government ignores the Opposition, dismisses the Private Sector, sidelines workers, and shuts out independent voices, Parliament ceases to be a place of accountability. It becomes a political shield for apparent corruption. The UDP Parliamentary Caucus cannot and will not legitimize such clear authoritarian modus and this abuse of public confidence. There is no trust left to be enjoyed by the Briceño administration.
This is not just about telecommunications.
This is about protecting public money, public assets, and the future of our fragile economy. The United Democratic Party Parliamentary Caucus will stand firm, stand strong, and stand with the Belizean people until this corrupt deal is stopped. Enough is enough!
Forward ever, backward never!
The post UDP Parliamentarians boycott House sitting in protest appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Press Release The United Democratic Party’s Parliamentary Caucus has taken the decision to boycott today’s sitting of the House of Representatives in protest. The boycott is Round 3. The UDP Parliamentarians maintain that the BTL/SMART acquisition is one of the most blatantly corrupt and reckless deals ever foisted upon the Belizean people! “We refuse to
The post UDP Parliamentarians boycott House sitting in protest appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
