Julius Espat has taken on a heavier load in Cabinet. Already serving as Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, he is now also holding the Home Affairs portfolio following Oscar Mira’s departure. That shakeup comes as government continues to deal with the fallout from leaked files inside the Ministry of Defense, a controversy that also led to the sidelining of National Defense Minister Florencio Marin Jr. With two Cabinet colleagues stepping aside in recent weeks, we asked Espat what the mood has been like behind closed doors.
Shane Williams
“We’ve seen another colleague having to step aside. What’s the reaction in Cabinet?”
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Cabinet Minister
“Sad. You would wish that nothing like this ever happens. Something the Prime Minister will have to deal with but he cannot deal with it if he doesn’t – he doesn’t know the information and the truth. So that what I think he’s doing. We’re hoping and praying that he makes a decision that all Belizeans are comfortable with.”
Shane Williams
“You have been a champion of anti-corruption. Is these some of the things that you were concerned about even before coming into government?”
Julius Espat
“We are all concerned. At the end of the day all of us are human beings and temptation exists. So it is the responsibility of the government to make sure that it is minimized. And that’s why we have a Prime Minister. That’s why we have a Cabinet and the people of Belize. And I know he will make a good decision. I believe in that.”
Shane Williams
“What are you hoping for from the audit?”
Julius Espat
“I would not like to respond to that. I prefer it to come from him.”
Prime Minister Briceño has announced that the audit of the Ministry of National Defense will cover the period from 2015 to 2025.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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