The fifth hearing of the Senate Special Select Committee was scheduled for this morning, however, it never went live, and today's star witness, the point man for Portico, David Gegg never showed up.
But according to Gegg, it wasn't because he didn't want to participate. Rather, he didn't realize he was supposed to attend until yesterday afternoon because of the seemingly haphazard way he was "invited."
In addition, he feels as though the probe cannot be objective with Senator Janelle Chanona at its head.
Gegg explained his position in a letter he addressed to the clerk of the National Assembly. Courtney Menzies took a look at it and has this story.
Today was anticipated to be the apex event of the Senate Select Committee Hearing. It's the day that Portico developer David Gegg was expected to reveal all the events that led up to the signing of the Definitive Agreement. But the session ended up being another anticlimax - that's because it never happened since Gegg didn't appear.
In a letter obtained by 7News, Gegg complains to the clerk of the National Assembly that this is what was sent to his house. This envelope reads "Edgar Gegg," who is David Gegg's late father, and says only that it is an invitation.
In Gegg's letter, he says that since it was not addressed to him - and since it was found in his driveway by his assistant - he didn't immediately open it. Once he did, he learnt that it was an invitation for him to appear as a witness before the committee this morning.
He then goes on to say that upon hearing of the launch of a Senate Inquiry, he released a statement confirming his willingness to participate and cooperate fully. And while Gegg says he still maintains that position, he adds though that due to the speculation of bias on the part of Senator Janelle Chanona, who heads the inquiry, he will not appear unless she recuses herself or if he is properly summoned.
The speculation directed at Senator Chanona arises from a letter written to her from Waterloo Holdings back in June 2023, shortly after the announcement of the inquiry. In that letter, CEO Stewart Howard claims that the environmental conservation community - including Oceana Belize - has shown the Waterloo project unfair treatment in comparison to Port of Magical Belize.
Gegg then states in his letter that, since the hearings are public, if he is summoned before the Committee, he will issue a comprehensive statement detailing all events, meetings, and discussions that led to the signing of the DA.
At 12:47pm, almost 3 hours after the hearing was supposed to start, the National Assembly issued a sheepish and curt release stating that the session had been postponed until further notice.
We'll let you know what happens at the next hearing.
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