And while that exchange sent the PM to one-hundred - he went to one hundred and fifty when the area representative for Fort George raised the subject of a so-called land grab that has benefitted members of the Deputy Prime Minister's family.
That story has been much in the news recently with the Belize Times publishing sheafs of land documents which purport to show UDP friends and family getting huge tracts of land on the cheap in the run up to and after election.
Here's how that went...
Hon. Said Musa
"Mr. Speaker I was mindful to raise this matter of public concern the serious land grab that has been taking place in Belize and in particular the feather nesting for one ministerial family in particular. However I notice that the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Lands is not present today, so this matter will be left for another occasion. Thank you."
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I want to say a little something and I gather you'll be having a press conference and I would hope that when our minister of lands comes back he will have a press conference as well. But I just want to say Mr. Speaker that the so called land grab has been put in the public domain first by the member for Corozal South East at the House meeting. He was stopped before he got very far because of course he was out of order. It was not the time and place for that. Since then Channel 5 and The Belize Times when we expect The Belize Times to do what it has been doing, that's not a problem. Channel 5 which like to pretend that it's a professional and independent news medium of course is the opposite and they too have been flogging this campaign. Mr. Speaker when the Deputy Prime Minister comes back
he will speak for himself in terms of the details. But I do want to make the point that they're not going to suggest that there is nothing at all that warrants a response. In fact I've just said that I believe the Deputy Prime Minister is obliged to address this matter. But aren't these people point to ownership of land by some UDP personalities and then go on to suggest that UDP personalities got the land from government. Nine times out of ten they are lying. Because this matter was originally raised by the member for Cozoral South East I have here a list of the lands that he got from his father; he got from the PUP. Let me start with Belcor Industrial Limited, a company owned by himself and his father; 195 acres along the sea coast in Sarteneja. Sea coast you know, 195 acres all sea front land for $17,794.00 - $91 per acre."
"There is a company that they also owned - CoroBel; 10.5 acres and I will speak about what currently remains in their possesion as well as what he has sold. CoroBel 10.5 acres along the Consejo Road south east. Corobel again, 178.4 acres in Consejo. CoroBel, 496.09 acres in Santa Elena. You want to tell people about CoroBel. Then when you go to Florencio Marin Jr. San Jose Palmar 1,542.08 sq. acres - San Jose Palmar - Mr. Speaker I can't read all that, it's like 128 pieces of land that he acquired in San Jose Palmar - you go over to Lowers Bight area San Jose Palmar again, San Andres Ranchito - Belmopan registration - all over the country."
We expect to hear the opposition's side of that story when they will reportedly hold a press conference next week.
And while we had all the juicy bits from today's house sitting - the legislative business was the first reading of the Banks and Financial Institutions Act and the Repeal of the Hotel Tax Bill.
Those will be debated House meetings in a few months' time.
Email
Print