Prime Minister questions the call for Mark Lizarraga’s resignation 

While the joint unions are calling for the immediate removal of BTL Chairman Mark Lizarraga, Prime Minister John Briceño is questioning what Lizarraga has done to justify his dismissal.  The National Trade Union Congress of Belize says it has lost confidence in the chairman, accusing him of not being sufficiently transparent or forthcoming with BTL’s workers and the public during the proposed Smart acquisition.  Speaking with reporters this afternoon, however, PM Briceño questioned the basis of the unions’ demand.

John Briceño, Prime Minister: “Did they do anything wrong ? But I think you all were jumping ahead of your time. The board did not decide to buy Speednet at that moment. The board decided to do more due diligence to see whether it was feasible to be able to buy. A decision was done made at that time for the board to buy. And so I don’t know, so what is it that they did ? Can we have another question because I really have to go.”

Reporter: There’s this general concession that the Chairman did not act in the best interest of the general public, at least that is what the unions are saying.

John Briceño, Prime Minister:  “That is their view and I don’t agree with them.”

The unions have also indicated that the roles of several other BTL directors should be reviewed. NTUCB President Ella Waight identified Moises Cal, Arturo Lizarraga and small shareholders’ representative Eric Eusey among those whose actions should be examined.