By Omar Silva

Editor: National Perspective Bz DIGITAL 2024

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

 Belize City: Friday 18th October 2024

As Belizeans, we have long been promised transparency and accountability from our leaders—values that the People’s United Party (PUP) held high when it was in opposition. But as we approach four years of PUP rule, that commitment to openness appears to have been replaced by a disturbing pattern of secrecy, questionable deals, and a blatant abuse of the very laws meant to protect the public.

The government’s compulsory acquisition of 23 acres on Stake Bank Island is the latest example of how this administration is facilitating corporate interests behind closed doors, all while leaving the Belizean public in the dark. What was initially framed as a land acquisition for the “public good” has now been exposed as a smokescreen for a deeper, more troubling agenda.

Behind the Curtain: Corporate Deals, Not Public Interest

The Feinstein Group’s legal battle to block the government’s compulsory acquisition of its land on Stake Bank has peeled back the layers of this operation, revealing a stark truth: this acquisition has little to do with the public interest. Instead, it is about clearing the way for a private sale to MSC Shipping—a corporate giant that stands to benefit from a deal negotiated without the knowledge or consent of the Belizean people.

This PUP government is now using the very law designed to protect public interests—the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act—to push forward a project that enriches foreign corporations at the expense of Belizeans. Feinstein’s legal team has made it clear: their challenge to the government is not just about land, it’s about constitutional overreach. The government’s actions represent an abuse of the compulsory acquisition law, twisting it into a tool for corporate gain rather than the public good.

Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, representing the Feinstein Group, has laid out the case clearly: the government’s actions are “not for a legitimate public purpose.” And why should Belizeans believe otherwise? With the land acquisition process now tied to a pending lawsuit and revelations that the land may have been earmarked for MSC Shipping long before the compulsory acquisition process began, it’s evident that the government has been playing a dangerous game behind closed doors.

Where is the Transparency?

The PUP government’s lack of transparency in this case is nothing short of alarming. From the beginning, the government has operated in secrecy, refusing to answer critical questions posed by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). These two bodies raised serious concerns about the government’s motivations—concerns that have only been validated by the recent revelations in court.

The Prime Minister’s silence on this matter, except for vague justifications about economic development, has only fueled suspicions that the government is more interested in serving private interests than fulfilling its duty to the people. If this acquisition was truly for the benefit of Belize, why the need for such secrecy? Why were the public and key stakeholders left in the dark until Feinstein took the government to court?

The answer is becoming painfully clear: because this acquisition was never about the public good. It was about pushing through a corporate agenda, making way for MSC Shipping to swoop in and take control of the Stake Bank Cruise Terminal and possibly even the Port of Belize. And the Belizean people? We were never meant to know until it was too late.

The PUP’s Commitment to Accountability: A Broken Promise

The PUP rose to power in 2020 on a platform of transparency, accountability, and governance in the interest of the Belizean people. But nearly four years later, this government’s actions tell a different story. The compulsory acquisition of Stake Bank Island is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader pattern of opaque decision-making that calls into question the government’s true priorities.

From the secretive land deals to the absence of public consultation on major economic projects, this government is operating with an arrogance that suggests they no longer feel accountable to the people who elected them. The PUP’s actions in this case are a stark betrayal of the values they once championed. Where is the government’s commitment to transparency? Where is the accountability they promised us?

Belizeans deserve better than backroom deals and half-truths. We deserve a government that operates in the light, not one that hides its true motives behind closed doors.

The Stakes for Belize’s Future

The fallout from this case could have long-lasting implications for Belize’s economic future. If the government is allowed to proceed with this acquisition and sell the land to MSC Shipping or OPSA, we risk more than just the loss of public trust. We risk setting a dangerous precedent where corporate interests can manipulate the government into doing their bidding, all under the guise of “public purpose.”

The court case scheduled for December 19-20 will determine whether the government’s actions are legal. But regardless of the court’s decision, one thing is clear: the Belizean people have been left out of a process that should have been open, transparent, and in the public interest from the start.

We must demand answers from our government. We must hold them accountable for their actions. And we must ensure that Belize’s future is shaped by decisions made in the public interest, not by deals struck behind closed doors.

Conclusion: Time to Reclaim Public Trust

As we approach the next general election in 2025, Belizeans must reflect on the direction this government is taking us. The PUP’s actions in the Stake Bank case are a glaring example of how far they’ve strayed from their original promises. We cannot afford to allow this government—or any future government—to continue abusing the laws meant to protect the people in favor of corporate interests.

The time for silence is over. Belizeans deserve a government that acts in the open, respects the rule of law, and upholds the principles of transparency and accountability. It’s time to reclaim public trust, and it’s time for the PUP to answer for their actions.