By Zoila Palma: Prime Minister John Briceño says his administration has taken decisive action to address issues that undermine good governance unlike the previous UDP administration who he said looked the other way.
Speaking at the PUP’s National Party Council meeting in Dangriga over the weekend, Briceño reiterated his government’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption.
The Prime Minister acknowledged recent concerns surrounding procurement at the Belize Defence Force, saying the reported issues are inconsistent with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
However, he stressed that the administration has acted swiftly to address the matter. “Because we remain committed to zero tolerance on corruption, we have acted,” Briceño said.
Briceño criticized the previous UDP administration, arguing that former Prime Minister Dean Barrow failed to act in corruption controversies.
He referenced the passport scandal involving former minister Elvin Penner, claiming Barrow took no action after Penner improperly issued Belizean nationality and a passport to a foreign national.
The Prime Minister also cited allegations involving former minister John Saldivar, saying action was only taken after intervention by the U.S., and pointed to the land controversies surrounding former deputy prime minister Gaspar Vega. PM Briceno also made scathing allegations against the current Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton, particularly with respect to the award of the boledo and lotteries contract to BRADS and a member of the Barrow family.
Briceño said that this shows the difference between the PUP and the UDP, insisting that his administration will continue to act whenever wrongdoing is uncovered.
He also announced that the ongoing audit within the Ministry of Defence will extend back to 2015, covering the period when John Saldivar served as Minister of Defence.
The post PM Briceño: Previous UDP government turned blind eye to corruption appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Prime Minister John Briceño says his administration has taken decisive action to address issues that undermine good governance unlike the previous UDP administration who he said looked the other way. Speaking at the PUP’s National Party Council meeting in Dangriga over the weekend, Briceño reiterated his government’s commitment to zero tolerance for
The post PM Briceño: Previous UDP government turned blind eye to corruption appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
