We also asked Martinez about the contractor he chose, who is linked to the 3 companies which received the contracts in question: Savannah, Express, and Allan's Construction. It's one of his close political allies, and the multiple contracts issued to him do raise questions. We put those to him.
Jules Vasquez
"It seems like this is your contractor of choice because of your close personal friendship and obviously contractors should be chosen not on their allegiance to the minister, or their allegiance to the ruling party. They should be chosen on their merit."
Osmond Martinez, Minister of State - Foreign Trade
"But that's inaccurate, Jules. And, and so, for example, I have signed, I don't know how much millions of dollars as a CEO, you know, and he's not the one who got all the contracts."
"So that's an inaccurate statement that you're putting out there to the Belizean people."
Jules Vasquez
"In these contracts which were flagged, it was all to these companies owned by Jose Felipe Flores. Sir, Jose Felipe Flores was at your swearing in. In that same office where you are, Jose Felipe Flores did the works. He came way from Bella Vista to do the works at your office in Belmopan. And he renovated also the restroom at the ministry here in your office."
"So obviously he is a preferred contractor. And whenever we see these arrangements, it is the natural conclusion of the man or woman on the street to say, well, obviously there is a kickback situation."
Osmond Martinez, Minister of State - Foreign Trade
"But there has been more work, more work that has been done here in the ministry, you know, and you can come and see."
Jules Vasquez
"Yes, but if you bring a contractor from Bella Vista to work at your office here in Belmopan, something wrong with that, that's unusual."
Osmond Martinez, Minister of State - Foreign Trade
"But Jules, I want us to focus on two things here, right? Because I know you are trying to make news, but let us` focus on two things, which is the big problem, no, but wait, the source of the funds. Right. Which is, I mean, if the source of the funds are not legitimate, that's money laundering. right. So that's that's the important part. Now, you're trying to make news here, like where this person is coming at."
"He has been receiving contracts. Now, allow me, he has been receiving contracts from 2021 2022. And it is there. Right."
Jules Vasquez
"This person was at the swearing in, Osmond."
Osmond Martinez, Minister of State - Foreign Trade
"Yes, he was at the swearing in."
Jules Vasquez
"He's a close political ally. You are giving contracts to a favorite political person. You can just say yes, it's widely done. But you have to make some concession there."
Osmond Martinez, Minister of State - Foreign Trade
"No, but what I am saying is to you right, in Toledo East everybody is a PUP."
We'll have more on this story tomorrow. Martinez said he will post the entire 48 minute interview on his Facebook page.
Email
Print