Mahler Backs Review of LIU Program and Calls for Long-Term Support for Youths

Minister of Tourism and Sports Anthony Mahler says he supports the decision to reevaluate the Leadership Intervention Unit’s work program following its recent pause by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As Minister responsible for sports and youth, Mahler says he continues to support the overall objective of the LIU but believes that more sustainable safety nets for youths must be put in place beyond temporary programs. 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism: “Well, I think it’s good to take a pause and re-evaluate any program to see the merits and demerits of it. I support an LIU program. How that looks we’ll have to sit in cabinet and re-evaluate that. But we need that program. And me as minister of youth I often question how can you be spending $6 million on 580 three men when 70% of the population is under the age of 29, right? And the youth budget is only  2.7 million dollars or 3 million dollars somewhere around there. To me, we have so many bright minds across this country that we need to focus on them but we have to create the safety net. So the safety net would be, hear what more free education in high school and even taking that to Sixth Form, whereby we have more people enrolled, more people getting educated properly.” 

The program, which disbursed approximately $160,000 every two weeks, was designed as a social intervention initiative aimed at reducing violence and criminal affiliation among vulnerable individuals in Belize City through paid work opportunities, education programs and sports initiatives. CEO in the Ministry of Home Affairs Elton Bennett, explained that the pause is necessary to reassess the program amid accountability concerns. Bennett says there were reports that some individuals were collecting pay without actively participating in work assignments. Since the Ministry’s announcement on May 26, the halt has resulted in widespread disappointment and concern.