By Omar Silva

Editor National Perspective Bz DIGITAL 2024

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Saturday 19th October 2024

Belizeans, it is time we confront the uncomfortable truth: our government has become a master of manipulation, bending rules, dodging accountability, and now, with the latest drama surrounding the appointment of a temporary Auditor General, they have exposed their true intentions once again. This isn’t just about filling a position; it’s about sidestepping the safeguards of good governance and ensuring that those who should be watchdogs over public funds are nothing more than toothless placeholders.

Let’s break this down. Prime Minister John Briceño, in his smooth-talking fashion, claims there is no hidden agenda, but actions speak louder than words. For four years, this government has neglected to fill one of the most critical positions in the country, leaving the Office of the Auditor General—an office tasked with keeping the government in check—in a state of dysfunction. And now, with the appointment of Maria Rodriguez as acting Auditor General for a temporary four-month stint, the government has effectively placed a band-aid over a gaping wound.

A Government Playing Fast and Loose

What’s truly baffling is the blatant hypocrisy. The Prime Minister proudly touts the importance of following the law, claiming the government is doing things "the proper way" by appointing a temporary Auditor General. But let’s be real—this temporary solution is nothing more than a calculated move to drag out the process, leaving the government unaccountable for as long as possible.

Four months? What exactly is supposed to happen in four months? Will Rodriguez, with no long-term mandate, be able to launch audits, follow through on investigations, or challenge the misuse of public funds? Absolutely not. This government knows full well that temporary appointees lack the authority, resources, and stability to make any real difference. It’s a charade—a smokescreen to placate critics while buying more time to avoid the public scrutiny that a full-time, independent Auditor General would bring.

The Opposition Strikes Back—Or Does It?

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition, hit the nail on the head when he described this government’s actions as deliberate. For four years, they’ve failed to produce a single audit report from the Auditor General’s office. Four years of unchecked spending. Four years of billions of dollars flowing through government hands without any real oversight. And now, we’re supposed to believe that the government is suddenly committed to transparency?

The opposition’s criticisms are valid, but let’s not kid ourselves: the opposition’s own dysfunction has made it easy for the government to carry out this charade. Julius Espat, in his usual theatrical fashion, took a jab at the opposition’s lack of effectiveness, but in doing so, he inadvertently exposed the truth. The lack of a functioning opposition is a gift to the government, allowing them to do as they please without fear of real challenge or scrutiny.

Political Patronage and the Perpetual “Temporary” Civil Servant

What’s worse, this isn’t an isolated incident. The Prime Minister himself admitted that political patronage has plagued Belize’s public service for years. Civil servants, brought in through the back door as “temporary” hires, are left to linger without proper training, without promotion, and without any real contribution to the governance of this country. This government has perfected the art of using “temporary” appointments to maintain control. Once the noise dies down, these temporary hires are quietly made permanent, securing their loyalty to the political machinery that put them there.

Maria Rodriguez is just the latest pawn in this game. Her four-month stint is a placeholder, designed to quell public concern without actually fixing the problem. The government knows that by the time those four months are up, they’ll either have found another temporary scapegoat or the public will have moved on, distracted by the next political scandal.

The Price of Inaction

But we, the people of Belize, cannot afford to move on. This government’s actions have a direct impact on our daily lives. With no functioning Auditor General, who is watching over the billions being spent in our name? Who is ensuring that our taxes are being used to improve infrastructure, health care, and education, rather than lining the pockets of the well-connected? The answer, of course, is no one.

As Tracy Panton rightfully pointed out, there are 49 management reports and countless financial reports that have gone unaddressed. These aren’t just pieces of paper; they are windows into the financial health of our country. Without proper oversight, corruption festers, and public services decline. Belizeans are left paying the price for a government that sees accountability as an inconvenience, rather than a duty.

A Call to Action

The time for passive acceptance is over. Belizeans must rise up and demand real accountability from this government. We must reject this practice of using temporary appointees as a means of avoiding scrutiny. We must demand a full, transparent, and independent process for selecting an Auditor General, one who has the authority and mandate to truly hold the government accountable.

And to the opposition: it is time to step up. Belize needs a strong, united opposition that is capable of challenging this government’s dangerous slide into unchecked power. If we continue to allow political games and temporary appointments to replace real governance, we risk losing the very democracy we claim to cherish.

Belizeans, the choice is ours: do we stand by and watch as our institutions crumble, or do we take action to preserve the future of our nation?