During the days of Petro-Caribe, more than a dozen sporting projects and many other infrastructure projects were implemented by the Government of Belize. Those projects included but were not limited to the Falcon Field and Victor Galvez Stadium in San Ignacio; four-covered basketball courts, and the synthetic pitch at Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan; the Carl Ramos Football Stadium and the Russell Chiste Garcia Multipurpose Complex in Dangriga; the San Pedro Ambergris Caye Synthetic Football Pitch; Union Field and the Multipurpose Complex in Punta Gorda and the crowning glory, the Belize City Civic Center. There were many other projects implemented, including the construction of the Chetumal Street Bridge and numerous street works in all the municipalities across the country. There is no doubt that the Petro-Caribe spending had the greatest transformative effect in Belize’s history.
Now, years after the actual projects have been implemented, the People’s United Party by way of their Leader, Johnny Briceño and their Deputy, Julius Espat are taking the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow; the Financial Secretary, Joseph Waight and the Attorney General, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte to court. They are claiming that during the investment period, permission was not sought from Parliament for the money to be used. In open court, Julius Espat as one of the claimants said that he could not see where the money was spent.
It is not clear exactly what the PUP are trying to achieve with the latest maneuver other than spending time and crying over projects that have already been implemented and which are already benefitting all Belizeans. The case continues on Thursday November 21.
