But for regular folks the real meat of today’s press conference was the Venezuelan Housing grants that will be coming on stream in time for Christmas. Government selected an independent committee to manage the fund, but Cabinet made the critical political decision: that the money will be made available as grants, meaning you don’t have to pay it back. The Prime Minister gave some details.

Hon. Dean Barrow,
“Certainly by Christmas, I would think perhaps next month, but by Christmas the program ought to start. I can tell you that what the committee recommended and what Cabinet agreed was that the monies ought to be divided equally among the 31 constituencies. There is a split between usage for new home construction, and the majority of the funds will be used for new home construction, and for home improvement. The home improvement will be by way of grants and the new home construction funds will also be by way of grants. Cabinet felt that this was a gift from Venezuela and it ought therefore to be free to the people of Belize. So with respect to the monies for new home construction and with respect to the monies for home improvement, these monies will be disbursed on the basis of gift to those who qualify.”

And while the housing grant scheme is some good news for lean times, the rightful ownership that same 20 million is being arbitrated in London. The Ashcroft business empire is pursuing its rights under the terms of the agreement it signed with the past government, and this new government isn’t even making a showing at the London Court of International Arbitration. The Prime Minister today explained the strategy.

Hon. Dean Barrow,
“They are proceeding with their arbitration submission in the UK vis a vie the $20 million. We are taking no part in the proceeding because even if they get an award they will have to enforce it in this country and I have indicated that that is where we will join issue. In terms of their business tax, again every time an assessment is raised by way of the monthly assessments, BTL refuses to pay and we have to go to court on every single occasion. We don’t intend to be passive about the fact that it is a pitch battle every time we try to collect the taxes that are legitimately due to the people of this country.”

And we’ll have a little more form the Press Conference later as the PM discusses his embattled Minister of Transport Melvin Hulse and his battle with the Novelo’s.