BCCI Raises Concerns Over Government Payments Linked to Mira Relatives

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry says government payments to businesses linked to relatives of former Cabinet minister Oscar Mira raise serious concerns. Mira and former Defence Minister Florencio Marin Junior were placed on leave while the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security is audited.  However, BCCI President Giacomo Sanchez says the ongoing audit must determine whether procurement rules were breached.  

Giacomo Sanchez, President, BCCI: “Just off the cuff it’s extremely highly questionable. Highly questionable because of the nature of who we know are heading the respective ministries and so on. So, I mean, it goes without saying. I mean you wonder if it’s, you know, some sort of abuse of power and position and that kind of thing. So until the final audit is completed then we’ll know for sure exactly what determinations can be made by the government.”

Reporter:  And lastly for me, what kind of tender should the government be employing or probably different types for there to be trust from the public that they are doing things the way they should be doing it and we are getting a bang for our buck?

Giacomo Sanchez, President, BCCI:  “It’s not so much what kind I believe it’s how quickly is the public made aware of when these things occur. So the earlier we get a sniff of how contracts are awarded, etc., etc., I think we can make an early determination if it’s a insider or that kind of questionable type of transaction that is occurring.”

Reporter: And now we’re not aware at all. So are you confident that when they put in place this central procurement unit that it’s going to resolve a lot of these concerns that we have? 

Giacomo Sanchez, President, BCCI:  “I think it’s a way to see.”

The BCCI is recommending stronger SmartStream controls, including alerts for unusual transactions, limits on invoices processed for one supplier, checks for duplicate payments and separation between officers entering and approving transactions.  The Chamber says the audit must establish whether the goods and services were delivered, whether Government received value for money and whether procurement procedures were followed.