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UDP Politicians Say They Can’t Win With Godwin
posted (March 11, 2016)
Going back now to Hulse's other portfolio of Natural Resources. You already heard him say he played no role in Vega's departure. But, what about Hulse's hold on that ministry. We've heard a whole lot of grumbling from UDP political operatives about his tight fisted approach to public management. Today we asked him squarely about the complaints against him:...

Jules Vasquez
"Most notably, you don't want to give discounts on land that the government is transacting with the public. Now that is a complaint I've heard repeatedly from elected officials because discounts is how politics works, the minister giving land discounts. It's a major means of both raising campaign financing and also gaining political favor with the constituency. Why are you refusing to do this?"

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Natural Resources
"Well, you're hearing differently from me Jules, because to start with, let's take lots per say. The price has been set long ago and that's the price we continue on. Those prices are really a social rate. I mean, $1,500 dollars in towns, $1,000 dollars in harmony, and $2,000 dollars in cities is really a concessionary rate for a lot. You have 3 years to pay it. Let's be real, you seriously want a discount on that? Many people get that and then they flip it. 20-25-30,000 dollars, that's a real estate deal. Government of Belize should not be providing come up for people. If cabinet determines that there's a formula to assist poor people or indigent people, I will obviously comply. But you cannot, I dont believe to my mind, that you can be arbitrary about it. Jules what are you going to say if I go and give a discount to somebody, what is the next person going to say in Belize where everybody knows everybody's business? "oh he got and I didn't get" - you start confusion."

Jules Vasquez
"But you will accept that it's a long established practice of giving discounts for land bought from the government?"

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Natural Resources
"Yes, that practice exists. But I'm dealing with lots for example. In terms of other areas or other parcels of land which are larger than lots, we have established a clear policy which has been there. Just not perhaps fully implemented. Let us say you want 25 acres of land, or more, you have to say what you're going to do with it, that's a development plan. And when it is time to buy, that's why we have the evaluation department that value it. If you think that the value is excessive, you appeal, when you appeal, you appeal with your supported document. It cannot be that the minister arbitrarily decides between $50,000 and $20,000 dollars that is not going to work. Because that opens itself for all sorts of things."

Jules Vasquez
"There are those elected officer in our own government that have antipathy or resentment towards you, because they feel you are standing in the way of business they need to facilitate for their constituency or perhaps for themselves. Real talk, there are those who are saying that the Prime Minister cannot leave you there, because when it comes to real politics you need an elected official in that seat. This is an issue I've raised with you before but the pressure is mounting. Mr. Vega has resigned, ostensibly, those are among his frustrations. Being unable to be at that powerful post, how do you respond to those reports that men are after your head?"

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Natural Resources
"If there is tremendous pressure to remove me, that pressure is certainly not on me. I serve my nation and I will serve my nation competently, efficiently and effectively. If tomorrow the Prime Minister decides that he moves me, I am moved. If he gives me another ministry, that is fine. If he doesn't give me another ministry, it is also fine."

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