By Zoila Palma: Today, the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Parliamentary Caucus is boycotting the 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,” a statement from the UDP said.
“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,” the UDP stated.
The UDP says that the boycott 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.”
The UDP says that their observations remain that there is no disclosure of the nature and extent of liabilities the public will inherit by both BTL and SMART and
no definitive intention to pay severance owed to former workers before any acquisition.
In addition, the UDP says that there has been no independent valuation or assessment of SMART and no audited financials.
“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,” the UDP explained.
The UDP further said that the business community, the unions and civil society partners have spoken and 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,” the UDP said.
The UDP said that it will stand firm in opposing this acquisition and protecting public money.
The post UDP parliamentarians boycott today’s House sitting in protest of proposed acquisition of Smart appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Today, the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Parliamentary Caucus is boycotting the 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,” a statement from the
The post UDP parliamentarians boycott today’s House sitting in protest of proposed acquisition of Smart appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.