With questions swirling around the controversial deal, today’s marathon meeting gave decision-makers a chance to hear directly from the key players. Our news team spent the day outside the Sir Edney Cain Building in Belmopan and caught up with Prime Minister John Briceño shortly after the session wrapped up.
Reporter
“Can you talk to us about what exactly you all discussed today in cabinet in reference to the Speednet acquisition?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, certainly, as you know that cabinet discussions are confidential. But, what I can do is I’m sure that several ministers have, have spoken to you, and I think I pretty much will repeat, what they’ve done now. What we have done, I’m just going to explain to you the process. What we have decided to do is today we asked BTL to come in and to give a deep dive into why is it that they believe that this merger is important for, for BTL and by extension taxpayers of this country. We are the owners of the company. And we also asked Social Security to be able to come in and for them also to explain why it is that what they did is that they did not necessarily vote in favor, but they voted that they should go and I can’t remember the exact word that they used, but pretty much gave the green light for their members to be able to, to proceed with approval at BTL. But as they made out the point is that they can’t decide for BTL as a board of directors at the site. Also, the Public Utilities Commission came in to be able also to explain to us regulatory framework and to point out, should this merger proceed. where under the act that is covered, as it is covered under, under the act. And they also pointed out to cabinet that they passed an ESAL where that all prices have been frozen until December of 2028. As we have said that then that would give them enough time to put the proper regulatory framework should there be a merger to have better regulations, uh, to regulate the industry just as what we do with BEL and also BWSL itself. Now the idea is now that we want to hear from everybody, so we have invited the NTUCB and the representative from NTUCB and the chamber for them to come in. Hopefully they can come in on Thursday and for us then so we can hear their views as to why they believe that the merger is not in the best interest of, of Belize and by extension the taxpayers. The next step then would be then on Tuesday when cabinet will deliberate to see what they believe is happening after getting all this information for them to make an informed decision. I have informed cabinet that on Tuesday, whenever that deliberation will start, I will step out of cabinet. As you know, it’s no secret that my brother is one of the founders of SpeedNet and as such. I do not, I believe that it would not be proper for me to be in the office. And so pretty much that’s what we have. So that’s, that’s as much as I can say more.”
Paul Lopez
“The meeting on Thursday.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“So do not ask me for more. I can’t say anything.”
Paul Lopez
“No, no, let me ask you about the meeting on Thursday with the social partners. They’ve issued a press release, requesting that any meeting with the NTUCB and the BCCI should also include the Belize network of NGOs and NEAB in that they have formed somewhat of a coalition, and they want all that representation in that meeting. How would you respond?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, I mean I respected their views. But we from the cabinet, we’ve made a determination that we’re going to invite these two because these are the two main entities that have been speaking out. The chamber as the business representative for the business community and the NTUCB as representative for labor. So we want to hear from business and labor. And so, I respect their position, but at the same time, I hope that you respect that. Thank you very much.”
Paul Lopez
“They’re saying it must include all of them. So will the meeting go on or not without.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It’s up to them. We have invited them. We have invited.“
Paul Lopez
“And not NEAB? All right So, we waited about eight hours. We got about two minutes and eight seconds from Prime Minister John Briceño. He spoke briefly about what the meeting was like in terms of BTL’s consultation or in terms of BTL’s information to cabinet. He also, gave some background in terms of why they’re hosting the meeting on Thursday with the social partners. It doesn’t seem as if he’s interested in hearing from the Belize network of NGOs and NEAB. But he did say that next week, Tuesday, cabinet members will decide on their individual position on this.”
Cabinet has issued an invitation to meet with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on Thursday.
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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