Increased Uncertainty that COI Into Sugar Industry Will be Launched

The likelihood that Prime Minister John Briceño will launch a commission on inquiry into the sugar industry is dwindling. Last night, we told you about the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association’s condemnation of what they describe as poor excuses from Prime Minister John Briceño, almost three months after he committed to establish the commission. Tonight, A.S.R./B.S.I. is denouncing the idea of a commission of inquiry, contending that the decision is politically motivated. According to a release from the miller, it is not the only stakeholder opposed to the commission. B.S.I. says, three of the four associations are against having or participating in an inquiry into the sugar industry. And, the prime minister says it is their right and he cannot force them to participate. PM Briceño argued that members of the B.S.C.F.A. have been acting out of emotions and refuse to listen.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“That is their right if they don’t want to have a commission of inquiry but at the end of the day we need to have a commission of inquiry to look at the different challenges that industry is facing, form the planting to the harvesting to the transportation and see how we can make the industry  more viable and I am hoping that everybody can participate in this proves. It is a process being done in good faith.”

 

Reporter

“Did you listen to BSCFA’s press conference. They had a lot of negative things to say about you.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño   

“I don’t listen to them. The issue of the commission of inquiry I said to them that we are going to do it in one month, but one month later it came to my attention that there was not consultations with the associations and now BSI. If we had not done that then it would have gone to court and be squashed immediately. I was looking after their interest.”

 

Paul Lopez

“It seems that in spite of any consultations BSI and the other three associations don’t want to participate.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“That is the very point I was trying to make to the BSCFA. So the BSCFA got what they ask for.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Notwithstanding their objective to participate, the commission of inquiry is still going to go ahead?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t know, because with the commission of inquiry you can’t force them to participate. I don’t want to be listening to one group and we can’t listen to others in the industry then it is of no use. What BSCFA has done is play in the hands of other people and because of thinking emotionally instead of looking at the facts and how we can get things done. They have refused to listen and this is the result.”